HellenicGods.org - ORPHIC CRITICAL TESTIMONY 159

ORPHIC CRITICAL TESTIMONY 159

OTTO KERN

HellenicGods.org

HOME GLOSSARY RESOURCE ART LOGOS CONTACT

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

SUMMARY: This testimony is from the age of the Byzantine Emperor Alexios I Komnenos; it seems to be a weak attempt to understand Orphic theology, but ultimately calls it “Chaldean nonsense.”

ORPHIC CRITICAL TESTIMONY 159

Epistolograph from the age of Αλέξιος Α΄ Κομνηνός (Byzantine Emperor from 1081-1118) cod. Barocc. 131 in Crameri Anecdot. Oxon. III 183, 24:

καθάπερ ἐν τοῖς ἀπορρέουσι τῶν πηγῶν ὀχετοὶ ἀνάπαλιν· τὰ μὲν διαιρετικὰ γένη πλεονάζει, τὰ δὲ ἑνωτικὰ τάξιν ὑφειμένην ἔλαχεν· εἰ δὲ οἱ ὑπεζωκότες Τιτᾶνες παρ’ αὐτοῖς λέγονται· μήποτε ἢ ἐκ τούτων συνιστῶσιν Ἕλληνες τὴν Ὀρφικὴν θεολογίαν αὐτῶν; ἢ ἐξ Ὀρφέως οἱ βάρβαροι μυθοπλαστοῦσι τὴν κατ’ αὐτοὺς τερατολογίαν; πολλὰ ἦν καὶ ἄλλα τῶν Χαλδαϊκῶν ληρημάτων εἰπεῖν· ἀλλ’ εἰς τέλος ἐπελθεῖν τοῖς διεξοῦσιν ἀμήχανον.

“Just as among the flowing of waters, some streams flow in the opposite direction, the divisible classes are more numerous, while the order of unitives was assigned to be lower (in number); and if the undergirdings are called Titans by them, perhaps either the Greeks organize their Orphic theology from them, or the barbarians invent their marvelous tales from Orpheus in conformity with them. Many other things were said of their Chaldean nonsense, but it is difficult to come upon a conclusion for those who wish to carefully go through them.”

(trans. by the author)

Wilhelm Kroll De oraculis Chaldaicis 5.

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

PHOTO COPYRIGHT INFORMATION: The many pages of this website incorporate images, some created by the author, but many obtained from outside sources. To find out more information about these images and why this website can use them, visit this link: Photo Copyright Information

DISCLAIMER: The inclusion of images, quotations, and links from outside sources does not in any way imply agreement (or disagreement), approval (or disapproval) with the views of HellenicGods.org by the external sources from which they were obtained.

Further, the inclusion of images, quotations, and links from outside sources does not in any way imply agreement (or disagreement), approval (or disapproval) by HellenicGods.org of the contents or views of any external sources from which they were obtained.

For more information: Inquire.hellenicgods@gmail.com

For answers to many questions: Hellenismos FAQ

HOME GLOSSARY RESOURCE ART LOGOS CONTACT