HellenicGods.org - ORPHIC CRITICAL TESTIMONY 227

ORPHIC CRITICAL TESTIMONY 227

OTTO KERN

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

SUMMARY: This testimony, from the Byzantine monk Michael Psellus, refers to books of Orpheus.

ORPHIC CRITICAL TESTIMONY 227

Μιχαὴλ Ψελλοῦ Ἐγκώμιον εἰς τὴν μητέρα αὐτοῦ (“Eulogy to my mother”) 84* (Sathas Μεσαιωνικὴ βιβλ. V 57) about himself:

πᾶσιν ἐντυχὼν βιβλίοις Ἑλληνικοῖς, εἰκεῖν δὲ καὶ βαρβαρικοῖς, ὁπόσα Ὀρφεὺς ἢ Ζωροάστρης ἢ Ἀμμοῦς συνέγραψεν ὁ Αἰγύπτιος, ὁπόσα τε Παρμενίδαι καὶ Ἐμπεδοκλεῖς ἐν ἔπεσι συνεγράψαντο.

“I am familiar with all the Greek books, and with the barbarian books also, as many as Orpheus or Zoroaster or Ammon the Egyptian wrote, and as many as the followers of Parmenides and Empedocles wrote in verse.”

(trans. by the author)

Otto Kern Hermes LIV 1919, 217. Compare Ψελλός in the same text 85, V 59 (Karl Krumbacher Geschichte der byzantinischen Litteratur² 504).

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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DISCLAIMER: The inclusion of images, quotations, and links from outside sources does not in any way imply agreement (or disagreement), approval (or disapproval) with the views of HellenicGods.org by the external sources from which they were obtained.

Further, the inclusion of images, quotations, and links from outside sources does not in any way imply agreement (or disagreement), approval (or disapproval) by HellenicGods.org of the contents or views of any external sources from which they were obtained.

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For answers to many questions: Hellenismos FAQ

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