THE ORPHIC FRAGMENTS

OF OTTO KERN

12. ΘΡΟΝΙΣΜΟΙ ΜΗΤΡΩΙΟΙ

(ENTHRONEMENTS

OF THE MOTHER)

HellenicGods.org

HOME GLOSSARY RESOURCE ART LOGOS CONTACT

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

Souda (Σοῦδα; Orphic Critical Testimony No. 223 d):

Θρονισμοὺς Μητρώιους καὶ Βακχικά· ταῦτα Νικίου τοῦ Ἐλεάτου φασὶν εἶναι.

“Enthronements of the Mother and the Vakkhic Rites: these (poems) were written by Nikías of Ælǽa (Νικίας τοῦ Ἐλέα; nr. 175).

(trans. by the author)

Εὐθύδημος Πλάτωνος 277 d:

ποιεῖτον (sc. τὼ ξένω) δὲ ταὐτὸν ὅπερ οἱ ἐν τῆι τελετῆι τῶν Κορυβάντων, ὅταν τὴν θρόνωσιν ποιῶσιν περὶ τοῦτον ὃν ἂν μέλλωσι τελεῖν.

“They (sc. the two strangers) are only initiating you after the manner of the Corybantes in the Mysteries; and this answers to the enthronement.”

(trans. Benjamin Jowett, 1892)

Περὶ τῆς κατὰ Πλάτωνα θεολογίας Πρόκλου VI 13 p. 382, 6 Port. and λόγος 12.33 Δίωνος Χρυσοστόμου (I 163, 26 Arn.):

καθάπερ εἰώθασιν ἐν τῶι καλουμένωι θρονισμῶι καθίσαντες τοὺς μυουμένους οἱ τελοῦντες κύκλωι περιχορεύειν.

“Just as in the rite called enthronement, where the inducting priests are wont to seat the novices and then dance round and round them.”

(trans. J. W. Cohoon, 1939)

See also further on s. ΚΟΡΥΒΑΝΤΙΚΟΝ. Christian Lobeck Aglaophamus I p. 368; Bernhard Ludwig Giseke Das Verzeichnis der Werke des Orpheus bei Suidas. Rhein. Mus. VIII 1853, p. 117; Paul Tannery Rev. philol. (journal) XXIV 1900, 101; Georg Hock Griechische Weihegebraeuche Wuersburg 1905, 63. 130 n. 1;

Otto Kern Hermes LI 1916, 562, ὕμνος Ὀρφέως 27.4 Μητρὸς θεῶν (Orphic Hymn to The Mother of the Gods):

σκηπτοῦχε κλεινοῖο πόλου, πολυώνυμε, σεμνή,

ἣ κατέχεις κόσμοιο μέσον θρόνον, οὕνεκεν αὐτὴ

γαῖαν ἔχεις θνητοῖσι τροφὰς παρέχουσα προσηνεῖς.

“Oh sceptre-bearer of the illustrious vault of heaven, many named, holy one,

you occupy the central throne of the universe (κόσμοιο), on which account you yourself

possess the earth, providing pleasant foods to the mortals.”

(trans. by the author)

In the life of Pindar from the Souda Ἐνθρονισμοί (“Enthronements”) and Βακχικά (“Bacchic Rites”) are also published; compare to Ed. Hiller Hermes (the journal) XXI 1886, p. 365; Otto Schroeder Pindari carmina p. 388.

No fragments are preserved.

.

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.