ORPHIC CRITICAL TESTIMONY 146

OTTO KERN

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

SUMMARY: This testimony, from an epigram of Martial, describes a glittering statue of Orpheus surrounded by mesmerized animals at the Fountain of Orpheus in Rome.

ORPHIC CRITICAL TESTIMONY 146

In Rome at the Lacus Orphei ^[1] (Huelsen-Jordan Topogr. der Stadt. Rom I 3, 345; Richter Topographie von Rom 308. 333) Marci Valerii Martialis Epigrammata X 19, 4 (also numbered Epigram 522):

brevis est labor peractae altum vincere tramitem Suburae. Illic Orphea protinus videbis udi vertice lubricum theatri, mirantesque feras avemque regis, raptum quae Phryga ^[2] pertulit Tonanti (i. e. Ganymedem).

“When you have passed the Suburra, it is no long labour to ascend the steep pathway over the Esquiline hill. There you will see a glittering statue of Orpheus on the top of a perfume-sprinkled theatre, surrounded by beasts wondering at his music; and among them the royal bird which carried off Ganymede ^[2] for the Thunderer.”

(trans. anonymous, Bohn’s Classical Library, 1865)

Concerning pictorial representations of Orpheus see v. nrr. 30. 38. 55. 69 (The Descent to the Underworld of Polygnotus ^[3]). 107; on the most famous bas-relief see nr. 59.

TRANSLATOR’S NOTES:

[1] The Lacus Orphei, the Fountain of Orpheus, was a fountain in Rome on the Esquiline Hill (Regio V) which featured a statue of Orpheus.

[2] literally, “the Phrygian” but clearly meaning Ganymedes, as can be seen in depictions of him wearing a Phrygian cap.

[3] Πολύγνωτος, the ancient Greek painter from the 5^th century BCE.

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.