IV. <Περὶ δραπετῶν>

OTTO KERN

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


ON RUNAWAY SLAVES


Josef Heeg Die Angeblichen Orphischen Ἔργα καὶ Ἡμέραι p. 56 concluded, not without integrity, that the Orphic poem Περὶ δραπετῶν (On runaway slaves) appears to have existed. Which is imitated by Maximos in the poem Περὶ καταρχῶν (On beginnings) v. p. 280 fr. 280, of which part VIII of Περὶ δραπετῶν vs. 320 begins with the words:

εἰ δ’ ἄρα καὶ δμώων ὀλοφώια ἔργα πύθοιο οἵ τε γ’ (γ’ add. Arthur Ludwich) ἑοὺς λείποντες ἐνὶ μεγάροισιν ἄνακτας γαῖαν ἐς ὀθνείην ποσὶ καρπαλίμοις ἀλάληνται δρῆσται ἀταρτηροί . . . ἀλλὰ σὺ καὶ τοίων μερόπων ἐπιφράζεο μοῖραν. ἢν μὲν ἔηι πανδῖα μετ’ εὐπόκου Ἀρνειοῖο, ὦκά μιν εἰσανάγοιο κτλ.

“And if, then, you also wish to learn the destructive works of the slaves, who, that is to say, leaving their masters in their homes, wander with swift feet in a strange land, mischeivous runaway slaves . . . but you also recognize the fate of such men. If indeed you permit yourself the all-divine (benefits) by means of fleecy Aries (i. e. “the Ram”), may you quickly lead him to... ” etc.

(trans. by the author)


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.

This logo is the principal symbol of this website. It is called the CESS logo, i.e. the Children of the Earth and the Starry Sky. The Pætilía (Petelia, Πετηλία) and other golden tablets having this phrase are the inspiration for the symbol. The image represents this idea: Earth (divisible substance) and the Sky (continuous substance) are the two kozmogonic substances. The twelve stars represent the Natural Laws, the dominions of the Olympian Gods. In front of these symbols is the seven-stringed kithára (cithara, κιθάρα), the the lyre of Apóllôn (Apollo, Ἀπόλλων). It (here) represents the bond between Gods and mortals and is representative that we are the children of Orphéfs (Orpheus, Ὀρφεύς).

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.

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Pronunciation of Ancient Greek

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