Lycurgus was an impious king of the Edonians of Thrake who attacked Dionysos when the god was travelling through his land instructing men in the art of winemaking or, in another version of the tale, while the god was still a child in the care of the Nymphs of Mount Nysa. As the troupe fled, Lykourgos struck down the god's nurse Ambrosia with his axe The rest dived into the sea where they were given refuge by the goddess Thetis.

As punishment for his crime, Lykourgos was inflicted with madness and in this crazed state slew his wife and sons. His own death followed quickly after:--some say that he chopped off his own feet with an axe before killing himself; others that he was struck blind and being scorned by all died in destitution; or that he was torn apart by his own horses; or devoured by the panthers of the god; or wrapped in strangling vines and despatched to Haides for eternal torment.