ORPHIC CRITICAL TESTIMONY 18

OTTO KERN

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SUMMARY: This testimony consists of three quotations from Christian authors, two of which state that Orpheus became famous and that Musaeus was his pupil; the third says that Orpheus lived 200 years after the time of Cecrops.

ORPHIC CRITICAL TESTIMONY 18.

Παντοδαπὴ Ἱστορία· Χρονογραφία ἤ Χρονικοὶ Κανόνες* τοῦ Εὐσεβίου τῆς Καισαρείας a. 749 (II 46 Alfred Schöne; Hieronym. 56, 3 Helm):

Όρφεύς Θᾶιξ ἐγνωρίζετο· τούτου μαθητὴς Μουσαῖος ὁ Εὐμόλπου υἱός. Λίνος διδάσκαλος Ἡρακλέους ἐγνωρίζετο.

“Thracian Orphéfs (Όρφεύς) became famous; Mousaios, the son of Évmolpos (Εὔμολπος), was his pupil. Línos (Λίνος), the teacher of Iraklís (Ἡρακλῆς), became famous.”

(trans. by the author)

*Editor’s (JVK) note: It seems like this quotation is from the Canons, but I am not sure.

In the preface of Interpretatio Chronicae Eusebii Panphili, auctore Hieronymo II 7 Schoe. (13 b 2 Helm. v. also 9 b 16):

Porro Liber et reliqui quos mox inferemus post CC annum Cecropis fuerunt, Linus scilicet et Zethus et Amphion, Musaeus, Orpheus, Minos, Perseus, Aescolapius, gemini Castores, Hercules, cum quo Apollo servivit Admeto.

“Henceforth Liber, and the remaining whom we will presently introduce, lived 200 years after Cecrops, Linus, you may be sure, and Zetus and Amphion, Musaeus, Orpheus, Minos, Perseus Aesculapius, the twins Castor (and Pollox), Hercules, with whom Apollo served Admetus.”

(trans. by the author)

Ἐκλογὴ Χρονογραφίας Γεωργίου Συγκέλλου 296, 7 Dind.:

Όρφεύς Θᾶιξ ἐγνωρίζετο (sc. at the time of Ἀμφίων). τούτων μαθητὴς Μουσαῖος ὁ Εὐμόλπου υἱός. V. also Lactantius nr. 99.

“Thracian Orphéfs (Όρφεύς) became famous (at the time of Ἀμφίων). His pupil was Mousaios, the son of Évmolpos (Εὔμολπος).”

(trans. by the author)


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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