THE ORPHIC FRAGMENTS

OF OTTO KERN

9. ΑΜΜΟΣΚΟΠΙΑ

(DIVINATION BY SAND)

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

See the Souda (Σοῦδα) which can be found in Orphic Critical Testimony 223 d (ἀμοκοπίαι or ἀμοκοπίαν codd.); Sandschau Herman Diels Die Fragmente der Vorsokratiker II³ p. 164: “Vielliecht war die Sandschau ähnlich der ἀλιφιτομαντεία” (“Perhaps the sand show was similar to the ἀλιφιτομαντεία”), having proposed ἀλφιτομαντεία (ἀλφιτομάντεις Poll. VII 188; August Emanual Bekker Anecdota Graeca I p. 52 [at the bottom of the page], Christian Lobeck Aglaophamus II p. 815 note c); Ἀνεμοσκοπία Fabricius; Ἀμνοκοπία Eschenbach Epigenes 178 citing Hesychius s. ἀμνοκόπος· ποιμήν (“shepherd”), whereby Christian Lobeck (I 361) connects it to Ἑλλάδος Περιήγησις Παυσανίου 6.2, 5 (Ἦλις)· «μαντικὴν <δι’> ἐρίφων καὶ ἀρνῶν τε καὶ μόσχων» (“Oracular through kids and lambs and calves”); ἀστροσκοπία (cf. ἀστεροσκοπία [ἀστροσκοπία M] Hermiae Alexandrini in Platonis Phaedrum Scholia Section 244 A p. 95, 10 Paul Couvreur, Christian Lobeck Aglaophamus I p. 362).

Translator’s note: I believe that this is about what exactly the word ἀμοκοπίαι means and whether this is even the correct name of the text, if such a text actually existed. Although there is a book of this name mentioned in the Souda, there appear to be no known surviving fragments.

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.