ORPHIC CRITICAL TESTIMONY 108
OTTO KERN
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For links to many more fragments: The Orphic Fragments of Otto Kern.
TEMPLORUM CONDITOR (Establisher of Temples)
SUMMARY: This testimony, by the geographer Pausanias, reports that the Spartans said that the cult of Demeter Chthonia was handed down to them by Orpheus.
ORPHIC CRITICAL TESTIMONY 108.
Ἑλλάδος Περιήγησις Παυσανίου 3.14.5 (Λακωνία [in Sparta]):
Δήμητρα δὲ Χθονίαν Λακεδαιμόνιοι μὲν σέβειν φασὶ παραδόντος σφίσιν Ὀρφέως, δόξηι δὲ ἐμῆι διὰ τὸ ἱερὸν τὸ ἐν Ἑρμιόνηι κατέστη καὶ τούτοις Χθονίαν νομίζειν Δήμητρα.
“The cult of Demeter Chthonia (of the Lower World) the Lacedaemonians say was handed on to them by Orpheus, but in my opinion it was because of the sanctuary in Hermione that the Lacedaemonians also began to worship Demeter Chthonia.”
(trans. W. H. S. Jones, 1918)
Wide Lakon. Kulte 174. 244. 295.
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.