ORPHIC CRITICAL TESTIMONY 121

OTTO KERN

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

SUMMARY: This testimony, by the Latin mythographer Hyginus, says that Venus was angry at the decision to grant Adonis to her for only half a year. The judge in this affair, appointed by Jove, was Calliope, the mother of Orpheus. In retribution for Calliope’s decision, Venus aroused the Thracian women with love, each seeking Orpheus for herself; while fighting for the man, they tore him apart.

ORPHIC CRITICAL TESTIMONY 121

Hygini De Astronomica 2.7.4:

nonnulli etiam dixerunt Venerem cum Proserpina ad iudicium Iovis venisse, cui earum Adonim concederet. quibus Calliopen ab Iove datam iudicem, quae Musa Orphei est mater: itaque iudicasse, uti dimidiam partem anni earum unaquaeque possideret. Venerem autem indignatam, quod non sibi proprium concessisset, obiecisse omnibus quae in Thracia essent mulieribus, ut Orphea amore inductae ita sibi quaeque appeterent, ut membra eius discerperent.

“Some also have said that Venus and Proserpina came to Jove for his decision, asking him to which of them he would grant Adonis. Calliope, the judge appointed by Jove, decided that each should possess him half of the year. But Venus, angry because she had not been granted what she thought was her right, stirred the women in Thrace by love, each to seek Orpheus for herself, so that they tore him limb from limb.”

(trans. by Mary Grant, 1960)

Carl Robert Griechische Heldensage I 406 n. 1.

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.