ORPHIC CRITICAL TESTIMONY 168
OTTO KERN
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For links to many more fragments: The Orphic Fragments of Otto Kern.
SUMMARY: This testimony, from the Christian Church-father (pseudo-) Justin Martyr, says that Musaeus was the son of the Moon (Μήνη). There is also a citation from the Orphic Argonautica calling him the son of Antiophemus.
ORPHIC CRITICAL TESTIMONY 168
Λόγος παραινέτικος πρὸς Ἕλληνας τοῦ ψευδούς Ἰουστίνου μάρτυρος 15 (III 58 Otto):
Ὀρφεὺς γοῦν, ὁ τῆς πολυθεότητος ὑμῶν, ὡς ἂν εἴποι τις, πρῶτος διδάσκαλος γεγονώς, οἷα πρὸς τὸν υἱὸν αὐτοῦ Μουσαῖον καὶ τοὺς λοιποὺς γνησίους ἀκροατὰς ὕστερον περὶ ἑνὸς καὶ μόνου θεοῦ κηρύττει λέγων, ἀναγκαῖον ὑπομνῆσαι ὑμᾶς·
‘Φθέγξομαι οἷς θέμις ἐστί θύρας
δ’ ἐπίθεσθε βέβηλοι πάντες ὁμῶς.
σὺ δ’ ἄκους, φαεσφόρου ἔκγονε Μήνης, Μουσαι’.
“At all events, we must remind you what Orpheus, who was, as one might say, your first teacher of polytheism, latterly addressed to his son Musæus, and to the other legitimate auditors, concerning the one and only God. And he spoke thus:—
‘I speak to those who lawfully may hear:
All others, you profane, now close the doors,
And, O Musæus! Hearken to me,
Who offspring art of the light-bringing moon’ ”
(trans. Marcus Dods, 1885)
v. P. II s. Διαθῆκαι “Testaments.”
On Mousaios, who was addressed in numerous Orphic verses v. and (while not) in the index of names, and yet:
Ὀρφέως Ἀργοναυτικὰ 7 (λυροεργέ “lyre-player”).
Ὀρφέως Ἀργοναυτικὰ 308 (φίλον τέκος Ἀντιοφήμου “dear son of Andióphîmos” [See also Paus. 10.5.6, Paus. 10.12.11]).
Ὀρφέως Ἀργοναυτικὰ 858. 1191 (Μουσαῖε δαΐφρον “wise Mousaios”).
Ὀρφέως Ἀργοναυτικὰ 1347 (θεηγενές “born of a divine race”);
and at the beginning of the Orphic Hymns: Εὐχὴ πρὸς Μουσαῖον 1 “Prayer to Mousaios 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.
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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