ACETES AND PIRATES

 Once he had grown to manhood Dionysus decided to wander far and wide, including areas outside of Greece. Where ever he went he taught men how to cultivate vines and the mysteries of his cult. He was accepted until he returned to his own country of Thebes.
As he journeyed back to Greece he was spotted by pirates. He appeared to them as a rich young man. He might even be the son of a king. He certainly looked like his parents would pay a rich ransom for his safe return. Happy at their good luck the pirates seized him and brought him aboard their ship. They then attempted to tie him to the ship but, the ropes refused to hold. Anyplace a rope touched him it just fell apart. Dionysus watched calmly, smiling.
After some time the Acetes realized that only a god could be responsible. He called out that the crew should free Dionysus and beg his forgiveness. But, the captain mocked the Acetes as a fool and called for the crew to set sail. The crew raised the sail and caught the wind but, the ship did not move. Looking around they saw the ship quickly becoming overgrown with vines that held it fast. Dionysus then changed himself into a lion and began to chase the crewmen. To escape they leaped overboard but, as they did they were changed to dolphins. Only Acetes remains, and Dionysus promises to protect him.