ProfessorBettanyHughesinvestigatesthestoryofBacchus,godofwine,revelry,theatreandexcess,travellingtoGeorgia,Jordan,GreeceandBritaintodiscoverhisoriginsandhispresenceinthemodernworld,andexplorehow'losingoneself'playsavitalroleinthedevelopmentofcivilisation
Inthisfascinatingjourney,BettanybeginsinGeorgiawhereshediscoversevidenceoftheworld'soldestwineproduction,andtheroleitmayhaveplayedinbuildingcommunitiesInAthenssherevealsBacchus'spivotalroleinasocietywherehisecstaticworshipwasembracedbyallclasses,andmostimportantlywomenOnCyprussheuncoversstartlingparallelsbetweenBacchusandChristFinally,Bettanyfollowsthegod'smodernembraceinNietzsche'sphilosophy,experimentaltheatreandthehedonistichippiemovementtoconcludethat,whilethisgodofecstasyisworthyofcontemporaryreconsideration,itisvitaltoheedthewarningoftheancients"MEDENAGAN"nothinginexcess