HellenicGods.org - ORPHIC CRITICAL TESTIMONY 189

ORPHIC CRITICAL TESTIMONY 189

OTTO KERN

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

SUMMARY: This testimony, from the Byzantine poet and grammarian Tzetzes, says that some scholars are of the opinion that the Homeric poems were arranged in an order by Orpheus of Croton, Zopyrus of Heraclea, Onomacritus the Athenian, and Epicongylus.

ORPHIC CRITICAL TESTIMONY 189

Tzetzes in Aristophanes preface to Περὶ κωμωιδίας “On Comedy” Kaibel FCG I 20 (30. 32 and scholium q. d. Plautinus [ed. Ritschl Die alexandrin. Bibliothek. etc., Breslau 1838 = Opusc. phil. I 1866, 5; Dziatzko Rhein. Mus. XLVI 1891, 349; Kaibel 31 n.; Cauer Grundfragen der Homerkritik³ 112]):

καίτοι τὰς Ὁμηρικὰς ἑβδομήκοντα δύο γραμματικοὶ ἐπὶ Πεισιστράτου τοῦ Ἀθηναίων τυράννου διέθηκαν οὑτωσὶ σποράδην οὔσας τὸ πρίν· ἐπεκρίθησαν δὲ κατ’ αὐτὸν ἐκεῖνον τὸν καιρὸν ὑπ’ Ἀριστάρχου καὶ Ζηνοδότου, ἄλλων ὄντων τούτων τῶν ἐπὶ Πτολεμαίου διορθωσάντων. οἱ δὲ τέσσαρσί τισι τὴν ἐπὶ Πεισιστράτου διόρθωσιν ἀναφέρουσιν, Ὀρφεῖ Κροτωνιάτηι (nr. 177), Ζωπύρωι Ἡρακλεώτηι (nr. 179), Ὀνομακρίτωι Ἀθηναίωι καὶ Ἐπικογκύλωι.

“And indeed, the Homeric poems, which were previously scattered here and there, were arranged in this way by seventy-two grammarians, from the time of Peisístratos (Πεισίστρατος) the Athenian tyrant; but their sequence had been determined in that same time by Arístarkhos (Ἀρίσταρχος) and Zînódotos (Ζηνόδοτος), these others being restored to order during the rule of Ptolemy. But others offer the restoration of their order to four individuals in the time of Peisístratos: Orphefs (Ὀρφεύς) of Krótôn (Κρότων) (nr. 177), Zóhpyros (Ζώπυρος) of Îrákleia (Ἡράκλεια) (nr. 179), Onomákritos (Ὀνομάκριτος) the Athenian, and Epikóngylos (Ἐπικόγκυλος).”

(trans. by the author)

Georg Kaibel has demonstrated in Abhdl. Goett. Ges. d. W. N. F. II 4 1898, 26 (that the above information) was drawn from the Χρηστομάθεια γραμματική Πρόκλου*, who used the sixth book of the Γραμματικῶν of Asclepiades of Myrlea (Suid. nr. 177).

* Χρηστομάθεια γραμματική, possibly not by Próklos (Προκλος Διαδοχος) the Neoplatonist philosopher, but perhaps by Eftýhios Próklos (Εὐτύχιος Πρόκλος) of Sicca, according to Welcker. (Journal of Hellenic Studies Vol. 4, 1897, Georges Bertrin Les Question Homérique p. 102)

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.

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Pronunciation of Ancient Greek

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