HellenicGods.org - ORPHIC CRITICAL TESTIMONY 130

ORPHIC CRITICAL TESTIMONY 130

OTTO KERN

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

SUMMARY: This testimony consists of quotations from the writer Antigonus of Carystus and the geographer Pausanias, both which say that at the tomb of Orpheus, the nightingales sing more sweetly than others.

ORPHIC CRITICAL TESTIMONY 130

Ἱστοριῶν Παραδόξων Συναγωγή τοῦ Ἀντιγόνου Καρυστίου (Paradoxogr. ed. Westerm. p. 62) 1.5:

ὁ δὲ Μυρσίλος ὁ τὰ Λεσβιακὰ συγγεγραφὼς (FHG IV 459 fr. 8) φησίν, τῆς Ἀντισσαίας, ἐν ὧι τόπωι μυθολογεῖται καὶ δείκνυται δὲ ὁ τάφος ὑπὸ τῶν ἐγχωρίων τῆς τοῦ Ὀρφέως κεφαλῆς, τὰς ἀηδόνας εἶναι εὐφωνοτέρας τῶν ἄλλων.

“Mysílos (Μυρσίλος), the author of the Læzviaká (Λεσβιακά), says that in the place of the tomb of Orpheus’ head, it is both told in legend and shown by the locals that the nightingales of Ándissa (Ἄντισσα) sing more sweetly from others.”

(trans. by the author)

Ἑλλάδος Περιήγησις Παυσανίου 9.30.6 (Βοιωτία):

λέγουσι δὲ οἱ Θρᾶικες, ὅσαι τῶν ἀηδόνων ἔχουσι νεοσσιὰς ἐπὶ τῶι τάφωι τοῦ Ὀρφέως, ταύτας ἥδιον καὶ μεῖζόν τι ἄιδειν.

“The Thracians say that such nightingales as nest on the grave of Orpheus sing more sweetly and louder than others.”

(trans. W. H. S. Jones, 1918)

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.

SPELLING: HellenicGods.org uses the Reuchlinian method of pronouncing ancient Greek, the system preferred by scholars from Greece itself. An approach was developed to enable the student to easily approximate the Greek words. Consequently, the way we spell words is unique, as this method of transliteration is exclusive to this website. For more information, visit these three pages:

Pronunciation of Ancient Greek

Transliteration of Ancient Greek

Pronouncing the Names of the Gods in Hellenismos

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