Final answer:
Pentheus, the King of Thebes, met a tragic fate when he opposed the worship of Bacchus: he was deceived and then killed by his own mother and other followers of the god. The Roman state similarly opposed Bacchic worship and suppressed it violently in 186 BCE due to its perceived threat to social order.
Step-by-step explanation:
The fate of Pentheus, the King of Thebes who opposed the worship of Bacchus, also known as Dionysus, is a central theme in Euripides' tragedy "The Bacchae." Pentheus becomes an emblem of resistance as he stands against the Bacchic revelries and the chaotic power epitomized by the god. In his hubris and denial of Dionysus' divinity, Pentheus is ultimately deceived and torn apart by his own mother and the Maenads, who are frenzied followers of Bacchus. They mistook him for a wild animal as he spied on their rites, leading to his tragic demise. This story serves as a stark portrayal of the consequences of opposing divine will and refusing to honor the gods, and highlights themes of piety, madness, and the overwhelming power of the divine.
The Bacchanalian conspiracy, referenced in historical texts, reflects the Roman state's attempts to suppress the worship of Bacchus, fearing its influence and the subversion of social order it represented. Like Pentheus, the Roman authorities saw the Bacchic cult as a threat, leading to the state's intervention and the harsh persecution of its adherents in 186 BCE.