HOME GLOSSARY RESOURCE ART LOGOS CONTACT

For links to many more fragments: The Orphic Fragments of Otto Kern.

SUMMARY: This fragment states that Night (Νὺξ) is the nurse of the Gods.

106. (99) σχόλιον Πρόκλου επὶ Κρατύλου Πλάτωνος 404 b (p. 92, 9 Pasqu.):

ὅτι ἡ Δημήτηρ, ὥσπερ πᾶσαν ζωὴν προχέει, οὕτως καὶ πᾶσαν τροφήν· ἔχει δὲ παράδειγμα τὴν Νύκτα,

θεῶν γὰρ τροφὸς ἀμβρσίη Νὺξ λέγεται

ἀλλ' ἐκείνη µὲν νοητῶς.

“Wherefore Dîmítîr (Δημήτηρ), just as all life, pours forth (nourishment), in this way also all nourishment; and the paradigm (model) is Nyx:

‘For it is said that the nurse of the Gods is immortal (ἀμβρσίη) Nyx’

“but in that way, accordingly, intelligible.” (trans. by the author)

Lobeck I 501.

This fragment was reported by Proklos without a source as Lobeck rightly warned; nevertheless, they judge it to be Orphic Próklos fragment 104:

τὸν δὲ κρατῆρα τὸν ζωιογόνον τῆι Νυκτὶ τῆι πᾶσαν ἐκ τῶν ἁϕανῶν παραγούσηι ζωὴν μετὰ τοῦ Φάνητος

“And the vivific crater (Juno [Ἥρᾱ] is analogous to) Night (Νὺξ), who produces all life in conjunction with Phanes from unapparent causes.” (trans. Thomas Taylor, 1820)

and further, fragment 129. Followed by σχόλιον Πρόκλου επὶ Κρατύλου Πλάτωνος fragment 91.

The story of the birth of the Gods: Orphic Theogony.

We know the various qualities and characteristics of the Gods based on metaphorical stories: Mythology.

Dictionary of terms related to ancient Greek mythology: Glossary of Hellenic Mythology.

Introduction to the Thæí (the Gods): The Nature of the Gods.

How do we know there are Gods? Experiencing Gods.

PLEASE NOTE: Throughout the pages of this website, you will find fascinating stories about our Gods. These narratives are known as mythology, the traditional stories of the Gods and Heroes. While these tales are great mystical vehicles containing transcendent truth, they are symbolic and should not be taken literally. A literal reading will frequently yield an erroneous result. The meaning of the myths is concealed in code. To understand them requires a key. For instance, when a God kills someone, this usually means a transformation of the soul to a higher level. Similarly, sexual union with a God is a transformation.

We know the various qualities and characteristics of the Gods based on metaphorical stories: Mythology.

Dictionary of terms related to ancient Greek mythology: Glossary of Hellenic Mythology.

SPELLING: HellenicGods.org uses the Reuchlinian method of pronouncing ancient Greek, the system preferred by scholars from Greece itself. An approach was developed to enable the student to easily approximate the Greek words. Consequently, the way we spell words is unique, as this method of transliteration is exclusive to this website. For more information, visit these three pages:

Pronunciation of Ancient Greek

Transliteration of Ancient Greek

Pronouncing the Names of the Gods in Hellenismos

PHOTO COPYRIGHT INFORMATION: The many pages of this website incorporate images, some created by the author, but many obtained from outside sources. To find out more information about these images and why this website can use them, visit this link: Photo Copyright Information

DISCLAIMER: The inclusion of images, quotations, and links from outside sources does not in any way imply agreement (or disagreement), approval (or disapproval) with the views of HellenicGods.org by the external sources from which they were obtained.

Further, the inclusion of images, quotations, and links from outside sources does not in any way imply agreement (or disagreement), approval (or disapproval) by HellenicGods.org of the contents or views of any external sources from which they were obtained.

For more information: Inquire.hellenicgods@gmail.com

For answers to many questions: Hellenismos FAQ

© 2010 by HellenicGods.org. All Rights Reserved.

HOME GLOSSARY RESOURCE ART LOGOS CONTACT