Nonnus
Nonnus was a Greek epic poet of Panopolis, in Egypt. He flourished in the fifth century A.D., and is the author of Dionysiaca. This is a long epic poem describing, in abundant detail, with picturesque imagery, the triumphal progression of Dionysus, god of wine and fertility, to India.
The poem is packed with quaint geographical lore, with a miscellaneous mass of information on astrology and plants and other subjects intertwined into the primary theme, and it also contains many erotic incidents of a mythological nature.
The Corybantes take a prominent place in the worship of Dionysus. They are the frantic, orgiastic priests of Cybele, the Mighty Mother of the Gods, and their passionate ceremonials touch the erotic field.
The handsome, effeminate Cadmus appears—the cheeks of his love-begetting face are red as roses, chants the poet: and the sight of Cadmus is itself an amatory urge.
It is effective, too, in the case of Harmonia, destined to be Cadmus’ mate. Aphrodite addresses the prospective bride:
I will teach those grace-breathing kisses to women unhappy in love.
There was, evidently, knowledge of potions and similar excitants, for one character pleads:
Tell me what varied store of balsams can I apply in my heart to cure the wound of love.
And again: