The golden age of ancient Greece is considered to be the fifth century B.C. It produced many extraordinary men who continue to influence our modern world. Three of them were poet/playwrights whose immortal plays are still being performed world-wide after more than 2500 years. Their names are Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides. Greek drama began before their time as part of religious festivals held in the honor of Dionysus, the popular god of wine and song. The large outdoor theaters where these celebrations were held can still be seen scattered throughout the Greco-Roman world.

One of the most beloved of the ancient Greek gods was Dionysus, god of grapes and wine-making. He gave mirth and gaiety to humankind as well as welcome relief from everyday pressures. However, the pragmatic Greeks were quick to acknowledge the dark side of his gifts. A cult of women called the Maenads was associated with the worship of Dionysus. Often driven mad with wine, they ran over the hills in a screaming frenzy, killing animals and eating their raw flesh. It was a gruesome warning against the ugly consequences of abusing alcohol.

The ancient Greeks had a fanciful myth to explain just about everything. The story of how Athens was named also reveals how two great gifts were given to mankind.

In the year 70 AD the Roman general Flavius Silva and his 10th Legion arrived at the desolate site of what would be the last rebellion in the Roman-Jewish War. In front of them rose a massive flat-topped mesa known as Masada, from the Hebrew word “metzada”, meaning fortress. It was the refuge of the Hebrew rebels Silva had been sent to subdue.