5. ΒΑΚΧΙΚΑ

INTRODUCTION

HellenicGods.org

HOME GLOSSARY RESOURCE ART LOGOS CONTACT

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

Ἱστορίαι Ἡροδότου 2.81.2 (test. nr. 216):

ὁμολογέουσι δὲ ταῦτα τοῖσι Ὀρφικοῖσι καλεομένοισι καὶ Βακχικοῖσι, ἐοῦσι δὲ Αἰγυπτίοισι καὶ Πυθαγορείοισι· οὐδὲ γὰρ τούτων τῶν ὀργίων μετέχοντα ὅσιόν ἐστὶ ἐν εἰρινέοισι εἵμασι θαφθῆναι. ἔστι δὲ περὶ αὐτῶν ἱρὸς λόγος λεγόμενος.

“Here their practice (the Egyptians) resembles the rites called Orphic and Dionysiac, but which are in reality Egyptian and Pythagorean; for no one initiated in these Mysteries can be buried in a woolen shroud, a religious reason being assigned for the observance.”

(trans. George Rawlinson, 1858)

(Rohde Psyche II⁶ 107 n. 1; Kern Orpheus 10).

Suid. test. nr. 223 d:

Θρονισμοὶ μητρῶιοι καὶ βακχικά· ταῦτα Νικίου τοῦ Ἐλεάτου (test. nr. 175) φασὶν εἶναι.

“Maternal enthronements and the Vakkhic (βακχικά): these they say are from Nikías of Ælǽa (Νικίας τοῦ Ἐλέα).”

Compare further s. ΘΡΟΝΙΣΜΟΙ ΜΗΤΡΩΙΟΙ, Lobeck I 368; Giseke Rhein. Mus. VIII 1853, 111. 117; Schuster 1 n. 5; Abel p. 144; Rohde 1.1. 104 n.; Kern 1.1. 29 n.

Which book of Orpheus Herodotus meant is obscure. I have gathered together the passages of Macrobius that pertain to Vákkhos (Βάκχος), following Rohde, who, also with Schuster, has inserted fragment 243 (Hippolyt. Ref. omn. haeres. V 20 p. 121 Wendl.), because Hippolytus clearly says: ἐν τοῖς Βακχικοῖς τοῦ Ὀρφέως (“in the Vákkhic rites of Orpheus”). But compare what Tannery said regarding this (v. see ahead) not without the appearance of truth. Since the Orphic verses of Macrobius all no doubt concern the same Orphic book from a later time, which he knew from Cornelius Labeo, who made extracts he seemed to take from the Neoplatonic philosopher Porphyry (compare W. A. Baehrens Cornelius Labeo 1918, 4. 50), and also fragment 242, I had no doubts to publish here as well. Since it concerns the Icarian myth of Vákkhos, I have added Βακχικοῖς fragment 244, not ignorant of how uncertain this inference is.

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