Dionysus Bromios
A poignant epithet of Dionysus was bromios (noisy or boisterous), deriving from the verb bremein, which was used to describe the clashing or ringing sound made by the violent contact of metallic weapons in battle, or the roaring of a wave.
Diodorus Siculus and Dio Chrysostom attributed the epithet to the thunderstorm raging during Dionysus’ birth, Ovid to the noise of Bacchic processions. The authenticity of the automaton was increased by the noise and atmosphere created by these drums and cymbals, combined with the rotation of the figures.
The female figure to the left of this scene holds a tympanon (kettledrum) in her left hand. This type of drum was used in the rites of both Cybele and Dionysus, usually accompanied by the aulos (double-headed flute). While music played, the dancers spun, jumped, shook their bodies, and cried out, resulting in a blur of sound and movement.