Bible Dictionary
BACCHUS
Bacchus, or Dionysus, was the Greek and Roman god of wine. His worship, associated in the source with drunkenness and immoral revelry, was imposed in Judea during the persecution under Antiochus Epiphanes.
Biblical Usage
The books of the Maccabees describe Jews being compelled to honor Bacchus with processions and ivy wreaths. Nicanor later threatened to erect a temple to Bacchus in Jerusalem if Judas Maccabee was not surrendered. These events are presented as part of the assault on Yahweh’s worship.