The concept of "dithyramb" came to the modern world from distant Ancient Greece, when people still worshiped gods. Of course, the meaning of the word itself has already undergone some changes, but in order to better understand what the meaning is in the concept, it is necessary to return to the origins.
Ancient greek rites
The cult of the god Dionysus, the patron saint of wine and fun, appeared with the spread of the grape industry in Ancient Greece. At the end of the grape harvest, the Greeks organized a great celebration, accompanied by wine, fun and orgies. At such "events", where not everyone was allowed, songs were sung in honor of Dionysus, scenes were played out and sacrifices were made to God. In the understanding of the Greeks, all this was done solely in order to appease the deity and get a good harvest of grapes next year.
Songs of praise that were sung by satyrs in disguise were called praises. Dithyrambs, as a result, became the basis in the development of the Greek tragedy. Also, the eponymous genre of literature appeared, close to the modern understanding of the ode.
The musician-poet Arion introduced the genre of praise to poetry in the 7th century BC. Since his work is practically inseparable from music, praise at that time remained for the most part a piece of music. In the 5th century BC. the praise begins to take on a dramatic image. The poet Bacchilides writes a similar work in the form of a dialogue, which is accompanied by accompaniment and choral singing between the parts.
Dithyrambs in the Renaissance
In the Renaissance, when artists sought to revive the samples of ancient culture, the genre of praise was no exception in this process.
The Italians' attempts were especially striking. For example, the poet and priest Girolamo Baruffaldi wrote the work "The Triumph of Bacchus", where the author praises the main character, excessively describing his merits.
Less noticeable are works in the genre of praise from Germanic poets who gravitate towards anacreontika - love, playful poetry about a carefree life, the parent of which is the ancient Greek poet Anacreon. It is not surprising that the Italians had the most successful experience in reviving the praises. As you know, it was here that the first opera called "Daphne" was born, which took its origins from praises too. Because the genre of praise combined musical and theatrical origins.
Dithyrambs in the modern sense
The times of Ancient Greece and the Renaissance have long passed, and the concept of "praise" still remains. The expression "to sing praises" is especially well known.
In the modern sense, the word "dithyramb" has retained its former connotation - these are all the same praises, the purpose of which is to obtain benefits. But now they began to praise not the god Dionysus, but an ordinary person from whom they want to get something. Thus, excessive, selfish praise addressed to someone is called praise.