ORPHIC CRITICAL TESTIMONY 3

OTTO KERN

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SUMMARY: This testimony, from the geographer Pausanias, notes that the Theogony of Hesiod calls the Graces (Charites) the daughters of Zeus and Eurynome, and that their names are Euphrosyne, Aglaia and Thalia, and that this agrees with Onomacritus. The Orphic hymn to the Graces also agrees.

ORPHIC CRITICAL TESTIMONY 192

II (Ki. 3) Ἑλλάδος Περιήγησις Παυσανίου 9.35.5 (Βοιωτία):

Ἡσίοδος δὲ ἐν Θεογονίαι (vs. 907) — προσιέσθω δὲ ὅτωι φίλον τὴν Θεογονίαν —, ἐν δ᾽ οὖν τῆι ποιήσει ταύτηι τὰς Χάριτάς φησιν εἶναι Διός τε καὶ Εὐρυνόμης καί σφισιν ὀνόματα Εὐφροσύνην τε καὶ Ἀγλαΐαν εἶναι καὶ Θαλίαν. κατὰ ταὐτὰ δὲ ἐν ἔπεσίν ἐστι τοῖς Ὀνομακρίτου.

“Hesiod in the Theogony (though the authorship is doubtful, this poem is good evidence) says that the Graces are daughters of Zeus and Eurynome, giving them the names of Euphrosyne, Aglaia and Thalia. The poem of Onomacritus agrees with this account.”

(trans. W. H. S. Jones, 1918)

Christian Lobeck Aglaophamus I 335; Schuster 54 n. 6; Erwin Rohde Psyche II6 112 n. 1.

ὕμνος Ὀρφέως 60.2 Χαρίτων·

θυγατέρες Ζηνός τε καὶ Εὐρυνόμης (Schrader] Εὐνομίης codd.) βαθυκόλπου,

Ἀγλαΐη Θαλίη τε (Herm.] τε θάλεια codd.) καὶ Εὐφροσύνη πολύολβε.

“From Jove descended and Eunomia fam’d;

Thalia, and Aglaia fair and bright,

And blest Euphrosyne whom joys delight”

(trans. Thomas Taylor, 1792)


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

Transliteration of Ancient Greek

Pronouncing the Names of the Gods in Hellenismos

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