ORPHIC CRITICAL TESTIMONY 114
OTTO KERN
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For links to many more fragments: The Orphic Fragments of Otto Kern.
SUMMARY: This testimony makes reference to an oracle inscribed at Delphi which says that the Pierians (a Thracian tribe) killed Orpheus.
ORPHIC CRITICAL TESTIMONY 114.
σχολιαστὴς τοῦ Πινδάρου 313 a (II 139, 25 Drachmann):
ὁ μέντοι Χαῖρις οὐκ ἀπιθάνως τούτους |140 Drachm. φησὶν ὠνομάσθαι τοὺς ἐκ θεῶν γεγονότας, οἷον Διοσκούρους καὶ Ἡρακλέα· οὕτω δὴ καὶ Ὀρφέα, διὰ τὸ Ἀπόλλωνος εἶναι υἱὸν γόνωι. παρατίθεται δὲ καὶ χρησμόν τινα, ὅν φησι Μέναιχμον ἀναγράφειν ἐν τῶι Πυθικῶι (Scr. rer. Alex. 146 fr. 11). ἔχει δὲ οὕτως·
Πιέρες αἰνοπαθεῖς, στυγνὴν ἀποτείσετε λώβην
Ὀρφέ’ ἀποκτείναντες Ἀπόλλωνος φίλον υἱόν.
“To be sure, Hairis (Χαῖρις) says that it is not inconceivable that these men are called ‘born from the Gods,’ men such as the Dióskouri (Διόσκοροι) and Iraklís (Ἡρακλῆς); and in the same way, this was fitting to Orphéfs (Ὀρφεύς), through his being a son of Apóllôn (Ἀπόλλων) by birth. And he explains himself also with an oracle, which he says Mǽnaikhmos (Μέναιχμος) inscribed in the sanctuary at Pythóh (Πυθώ, i.e. Delphi). And it is like this:
‘You Pierians who suffer terribly, will pay for your hateful outrage,
having killed Orphéfs, the beloved son of Apóllôn.’ ”
(trans. by the author)
About (Orpheus), the son of Apollo, see Orphic Critical Testimony 22.
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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