ORPHIC CRITICAL TESTIMONY 12
OTTO KERN
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SUMMARY: This testimony states that Orpheus never imitated anyone in his verses, and never used the Paeonic and Cretic rhythm.
ORPHIC CRITICAL TESTIMONY 12.
Ἠθικὰ Πλουτάρχου· 78 Περὶ μουσικῆς 1132 f, 49 p. 20 Rein. (auctore Glauco Rhegino Ed. Hiller Rhein. Mus. XLI 1886, 412):
ἐζηλωκέναι δὲ τὸν Τέρπανδρον Ὁμήρου μὲν τὰ ἔπη Ὀρφέως δὲ τὰ μέλη· ὁ δ᾽ Ὀρφεὺς οὐδένα φαίνεται μεμιμημένος· οὐδεὶς γάρ πω γεγένητο, εἰ μὴ οἱ τῶν αὐλωιδικῶν (αὐλητικῶν Westph.) ποιηταί· τούτοις δὲ κατ᾽ οὐθὲν τὸ Ὀρφικὸν ἔργον ἔοικε.
“Terpander imitated Homer in his verses and Orpheus in his musical compositions; but that Orpheus never imitated any one, since in his time there were none but such as composed to the pipe, which was a manner quite different from that of Orpheus.”
(trans. from the Greek by several hands. Corrected and revised by William W. Goodwin, 1874)
In the same essay, 1134 d, 98 p. 40 Rein.:
Γλαῦκος γὰρ μετ᾽ Ἀρχίλοχον φάσκων γεγενῆσθαι Θαλήταν (Wilamowitz Griech. Verskunst 330 n. 1. 502) μεμιμῆσθαι μὲν αὐτόν φησι τὰ Ἀρχιλόχου μέλη, ἐπὶ δὲ τὸ μακρότερον ἐκτεῖναι, καὶ Μάρωνα καὶ Κρητικὸν ῥυθμὸν εἰς τὴν μελοποιίαν ἐνθεῖναι, οἷς Ἀρχίλοχον μὴ κεχρῆσθαι, ἀλλ᾽ οὐδ᾽ Ὀρφέα οὐδὲ Τέρπανδρον (v. see also 1133 f, 84 p. 34 Rein. de Stesichoro).
“For Glaucus, asserting Thaletas to be born after Archilochus, says that he imitated the odes of Archilochus, only he made them longer, and used the Paeonic and Cretic rhythm, which neither Archilochus nor Orpheus nor Terpander ever did”
(trans. from the Greek by several hands. Corrected and revised by William W. Goodwin, 1874)
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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Pronouncing the Names of the Gods in Hellenismos
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