In Greek mythology, Apollo represents an aspect of the Greek ideal and a characteristic element of Greek civilization--the perpetually vigorous and graceful young man, contrasted with his half-brother Dionysus. Dionysus is the wild and enthusiastic zealot, while Apollo is calm and orderly, balancing vigor and reason. The Apollonian/Dionysian dichotomy is found expressed in literature both before the time of the Greek Golden Age and after, suggesting that there is something elementary and even primal in the pairing.
Dionysus was the central figure in a major cult of the Greek world, a cult that would have a long-term influence in mythology, religion, and literature. Dionysus was a pan-Hellenic god who was widely celebrated throughout the Archaic period and honored at dramatic contests with tragedies and comedies. His was also an orgiastic cult. Dionysus is the god of ecstasy and possession and might be called the patron saint of the drama as well as of various festivals and celebrations. The cult of Dionysus was contrasted with and stood in opposition to the cult of Apollo, and in Apollo followers saw only what was sane and human and moderate. This is quite different from the freedom and license of the followers of Dionysus. Each of these major strands affected the other in some degree, and the cult of Apollo became more ecstatic and cathartic as a result of exposure to Dionysian rituals, though these changes should not be seen as mere borrowings. The Dionysian cult was in its turn tamed to a degree (Guthrie 200-201).
These two strands appear in opposition in our own day as well. We view certain behaviors as Dionysian, seeing these behaviors as hedonistic, unrestrained, and often as dangerous as a result. The drinking of wine remains one of the Dionysian rituals indulged in by many to excess, and such drinking often unleashes bestial behaviors such as were decried by those observing followers of Dionysus centuries ...