Page "Amethyst" Paragraph 14

The Greek word " amethystos " may be translated as " not drunken ", from Greek a -, " not " + methustos, " intoxicated ".

Amethyst was considered to be a strong antidote against drunkenness, which is why wine goblets were often carved from it.

According to a 16th century French poem, Dionysus, the god of intoxication, and of wine, was pursuing a maiden named Amethystos, who refused his affections.

Amethystos prayed to the gods to remain chaste, a prayer which the goddess Artemis answered, transforming her into a white stone.

Humbled by Amethystos's desire to remain chaste, Dionysus poured wine over the stone as an offering, dyeing the crystals purple.