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.