What is bacanales?

Bacanales, also known as bacchanals, were wild and hedonistic parties or festivals held in ancient Rome in honor of Bacchus, the Roman god of wine, fertility, and ecstasy. These celebrations were characterized by excessive drinking, dancing, music, and sexual promiscuity, often held in secret locations like forests or mountains. The participants, both male and female, would wear masks and costumes, play pranks on each other, and engage in various acts of debauchery. Bacanales were considered scandalous and corrupt by the Roman elite, who often attempted to suppress them. Despite this, the practice continued throughout the Roman Empire until its decline in the fourth century AD. Today, the term "bacchanal" is still used to describe wild and raucous parties or events.