Dionysos dans le Protreptique de Clément d'Alexandrie

International audienceDionysus in Clement of Alexandria's Protrepticus In his Exhortation to the Greeks, Clement of Alexandria protests about the scandalous nature of Dionysus' numerous figures. Still it is noticeable that he links this divinity with all the pagan Mysteries which were said to be introduced by Orpheus himself. Clement chooses to focus his attack almost exclusively on this particular divine target and its avatars. Such a choice reveals that he is determined to adapt the dionysiac set of themes to the Christian Mysteries. However, does Clement go any further on that point? Just as he converted Orpheus and transfigured him which was a way of sealing the advent of Christ conceived as a singer, does he not seem to imply a parallel between Dionysus and Christ in order to integrate such a fascinating but elusive god into the Christian sphere?Dans son Exhortation aux Grecs, Clément d’Alexandrie dénonce vigoureusement le caractère scandaleux des multiples figures de Dionysos. Il est néanmoins remarquable qu’il rattache cette divinité à tous les mystères païens dont Orphée serait l’initiateur. Le choix de concentrer presque exclusivement son attaque sur cette cible et ses avatars révèle sans doute son intention d’adapter la thématique dionysiaque aux mystères chrétiens. Mais Clément ose-t-il davantage ? De même qu’il a converti Orphée dont la transfiguration scelle l’avènement du chantre christique, suggérerait-il implicitement un parallèle entre Dionysos et le Christ destiné à intégrer dans la sphère chrétienne un dieu fascinant mais insaisissable