Baccants (Maenids)

The Bacchants, followers of the god Dionysus, were known for their ecstatic and often violent behavior during religious rituals. They would roam the mountains, engage in wild dancing, and perform miraculous feats, sometimes involving animals. Handling or wearing snakes was one of the ways they expressed their connection to the wild and their god. The thyrsus (a staff made of fennel) and ivy wreaths were also common accessories for the Bacchants.

Connection to Medea, Medusae, Amazonians, Scythian huntresses

In some depictions of the Bacchants also known as Maenads, they are shown with snakes woven into their hair.

See also Medusa - for the Medusae/Medwa/Medea connection to snakes in hair