HellenicGods.org - ORPHIC CRITICAL TESTIMONY 19

ORPHIC CRITICAL TESTIMONY 19

OTTO KERN

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

SUMMARY: This testimony, from the philosopher Proclus, states that Orpheus composed his mythology in a time prior to that of Homer and Hesiod.

ORPHIC CRITICAL TESTIMONY 19.

σχόλιον Πρόκλου επὶ Πολιτείας Πλάτωνος I 72, 1 William Kroll:

ἐπεὶ δὲ πρὸ τῶν ἄλλων ἁπάντων ὁ Σωκράτης αἰτιᾶται τὸν τῆς μυθοποιΐας τράπον, καθ’ ὅν Ὅμηρός τε καὶ Ἡσίοδος τοὺς περὶ θεῶν παρέδοσαν λόγους, καὶ πρὸ τούτων Ὀρφεὺς καὶ εἰ δή τις ἄλλος ἐνθέωι στόματι γέγονεν τῶν ἀεὶ κατὰ τὰ αὐτὰ καὶ ὡσαύτως ἐχόντων ἐξηγητής, ἀνάγκη δήπου καὶ ἡμᾶς, πρὶν τοὺς περὶ τῶν καθ’ ἓκαστα δογμάτων ἀνασκεψώμεθα τῆς θεωρίας τύπους, αὐτὴν τὴν τῶν Ὁμηρικῶν μύθων διάθεσιν προσήκουσαν ἐπιδεῖξαι τοῖς πράγμασιν, ὧν δὴ καὶ παρέχονται (παρέχενται cod.) τὴν ἔνδειξιν.

“And since before all the others, Sôkrátîs (Σωκράτης) accuses the twisting of the myth-making, through which Ómîros (Ὅμηρος) and Isíodos (Ἡσίοδος) transmitted their stories about the Gods, and before them Orphéfs (Ὀρφεύς), and any other (poet) with an inspired tongue, who had become an interpreter, always having the same ways and in a like manner; it is doubtless necessary for us, before considering these opinions singly, to demonstrate their considerations and impressions, and point out that the same composition of the Homeric myths is proper to their circumstances, and they provide their own proof.”

(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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