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One of Dionysus's many roles in Greek mythology was that he was the god of theatre and drama. He was the deity of transformation. This was synonymous in Greek minds with theatre. They believed that the actor was inspired and altered during their roles by God. Theatre emerged as part of the Dionysia in Athens. During the celebrations of the god, plays were staged based on mythology to honor him. Over time, they became more sophisticated, and poets began to write verse dramas. During the 5th century AD, great poets, such as Euripides, Aeschylus, Aristophanes, and Sophocles, used these plays to raise important social, political, and philosophical issues .<ref>Otto, Walter Friedrich. Dionysus: myth and cult (Indiana, Indiana University Press, 1995), p. 134</ref>.  Greek tragedy and comedy emerged out of celebrations dedicated to God, and it was critical in the development of modern drama. As we have seen, Dionysus's cult was unusual. He played a major role in the mystery religions. Many believe that these mystery cults, with their emphasis on emphasizing a personal relationship with a god and salvation, may have influenced Christianity's development.  In his work, the German Philosopher Nietzsche used Dionysian's concept to explain the importance of the irrational, emotional , and instinctual in art and life .<ref> Nietzsche, Friedrich. The Birth of Tragedy (London, Pelican, 1987), p 78</ref>. The term is now often used in critical works on art and literature.

Dionysus was the god of wine and all it represented in the Greek mind. He was the divinity of excess, transformation, and the irrational. The Classical World, unlike the modern world, recognized these forces and sought to manage and harness them. Dionysus was often the representative of the darker side but the Greeks, but yet they honored him. The myths of Dionysus showed how Greeks, not the benefits of excess but rather moderation. For them, his worship allowed them to release drives and feelings in a controlled way. Dionysus was a hugely important cultural figure, and what he represents still resonates with modern culture. His myths were fundamental in the various Mystery Religions, and they were important in the development of a more individual and esoteric form of religion in the Classical World. Moreover, his cult was central to the development of theatre.