ORPHIC CRITICAL TESTIMONY 101

OTTO KERN

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

SUMMARY: This testimony, from John the Lydian, makes reference to “the Dionysus of Orpheus” (a statue?) which apparently stood before the adyton (the innermost sanctuary) of the temple of Jerusalem.

ORPHIC CRITICAL TESTIMONY 101.

Περὶ τῶν μηνῶν Ἰωάννου Λαυρεντίου τοῦ Λυδοῦ IV 53 p. 109, 18 W.:

Ἕλληνες δὲ τὸν Ὀρφέως Διόνυσον, ὅτι, ὡς αὐτοί φασι, πρὸς τῶι ἀδύτωι τοῦ ἐν Ἱερυσολύμοις ναοῦ ἐξ ἑκατέρων σταθμῶν τὸ πρὶν ἄμπελοι ἀπὸ χρυσοῦ πεποιημένοι ἀνέστελλον τὰ παραπέτάσματα ἐκ πορφύρας καὶ κόκκου πεποικιλμένα, ἐξ ὧν καὶ ὑπέλαβον Διονύσου εἶναι τὸ ἱερόν.

“And as the Greeks themselves say that the Diónysos (Διόνυσος) of Orphéfs (Ὀρφεύς) stood before the ádyton (ἄδυτον) of the temple of Jerusalem, from each of the pillars grape-vines made of gold rose before the curtains embroidered with purple and scarlet, and from these they understood that the temple belonged to Diónysos.”

(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.