HOME GLOSSARY RESOURCE ART LOGOS CONTACT

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

SUMMARY: Here are three quotations, all of which mention the breasts of Rhea and her role in creation. The second quotation states that Hera is equal in rank with Zeus.

132. Ἀπορίαι καὶ λύσεις περὶ τῶν πρώτων ἀρχῶν εἰς τὸν Πλάτωνος Παρμενίδην Δαμασκίου 422 (II 277, 5, C. A. Ruelle [1]; IV 57, Westerink & Combès):

εἶτα ἐπὶ τούτοις καὶ εἰς τὸ κινούμενον προέρχεται καὶ ἑστώς, ἐπεὶ διὰ τοῦ δημιουργοῦ καὶ ἡ ἐσχάτη φύσις ἑδράζεται των ἄλλων ἐν τοῖς κόλποις* τῆς Ῥέας, ὡς ποιεῖ Ὀρφεύς· καὶ ὅλως ὁ δημιουργικὸς ἅπασιν ὅρμος, ἧιδέ ἐστιν ἡ θεὸς ἣ καὶ πρώτη προάγει τὴν δημιουργίαν εἰς ὕλην.

“Then in addition to these, he also advances towards motion and standing still, since through the Dimiourgós even the uttermost nature of the others is established in the bosoms* of Rǽa, so Orphéfs (Ὀρφεύς) writes: and the dîmiourgic is a refuge entirely for all things together, and is also the Goddess who first advances creation to matter.”

(trans. by the author)

*Translator’s note: This could also be translated “womb;” the word is plural, but this is usual.

σχόλιον Πρόκλου επὶ Τιμαίου Πλάτωνος 18c (I 46, 27 Diehl) Taylor trans. Vol. 1, p. 52.:

ἥ τε οὖν Ἥρα συμπρόεισι τῶι Διὶ πάντα ἀποτίκτουσα σύν τῶι πατρί· διὸ καὶ ἰσοτελὴς (fr. 163) αὐττῶι | ^{47 Diehl} προσαγορεύεται· καὶ ἡ Ῥέα τὼι Κρόνωι· πάσης γάρ ἐστι τῆς Κρονίας δυνάμεως κόλπος ἡ θεὸς αὕτη· καὶ ἡ Γῆ τῶι Οὐρανῶι· πάντων γάρ ἡ Γῆ μήτηρ, ὧν ὁ Οὐρανὸς πατήρ.

“Hence Juno (Ἥρα) proceeds together with Jupiter (Ζεύς), generating all things in conjunction with the father. Hence, too, she is said to be equal in rank with Jupiter, as is likewise Rhea (Ῥέα) with Saturn (Κρόνος). For this Goddess is the bosom of all the Saturnian (Kronian) power. Earth also is equal in dignity with Heaven (Οὐρανός). For Earth is the mother of all things, of which Heaven is the father.

(trans. Thomas Taylor, 1820)

Compare Χαλδαϊκὸς χρησμὸς 305 Kroll p. 30:

Ῥείη τοι νοερῶν μακάρων πηγή τε ῥοή τε·

πάντων γὰρ πρώτη δυνάμεις κόλποισιν ἀφράστοις

δεξαμένη γενεὴν ἐπὶ πᾶν προχέει τροχάουσαν.

“Rhea, in sooth, is both the Fountain and the Flood of the blest Knowing Ones;

for she it is who first receives the Father’s Powers into her countless Bosoms,

and poureth forth on every thing birth [-and-death] that spins like to a wheel.”

(trans. G. R. S. Mead, 1908)

In verse 2 with Kroll it will be difficult to read πατρὸς.

Kern Herm. XXIII 1888, 488 n. XXVI.

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