Orge e orgiasmo rituale nel mondo antico. Alcune note

This paper deals with the issue of the etymology and semantic developments of the word orgia in Greek and Roman language and ritual practice, with particular reference to Dionysiac religion. Relying on the definition of orgy currently accepted in the study of religion (transgressive collective behaviour meant to sanction a festive period and to reinforce the vital energies of cosmos and human groups by indulging to rave music, frantic dances and promiscuous sexual intercourses) it describes orgiastic practices occurring in various ancient Mediterranean mystery cults, with reference to reversal rituals and to similar accounts reported by Christian haeresiologists for Gnostic conventicles