"The Bacchae" is a tragedy written by the ancient Greek playwright Euripides. The play centers around the arrival of Dionysus, the god of wine and revelry, in the city of Thebes. He seeks to establish his worship and punish those who deny his divinity, particularly his cousin Pentheus, the king of Thebes. As Dionysus leads the women of Thebes, known as the Bacchae, into ecstatic worship, Pentheus attempts to suppress their rituals. His refusal to acknowledge Dionysus's power ultimately leads to his downfall, showcasing themes of divine retribution, the conflict between reason and emotion, and the consequences of hubris.