HellenicGods.org - ORPHIC CRITICAL TESTIMONY 228

ORPHIC CRITICAL TESTIMONY 228

OTTO KERN

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

4. DE SCRIPTORIBUS VETERIBUS (On the Ancient Writers)

AUCTORES DE ORPHEO (Authors on Orpheus)

SUMMARY: This testimony from the Souda says that Pherecydes of Athens compiled the Logos of Orpheus.

ORPHIC CRITICAL TESTIMONY 228

Σοῦδα·

Φερεκύδης, Ἀθηναῖος, πρεσβύτερος τοῦ Συρίου* ὃν λόγος τὰ Ὀρφέως συναγαγεῖν.

“Phærækýdîs (Φερεκύδης) the Athenian, more ancient (than the Φερεκύδης) of Syros*, who compiled the Logos of Orphéfs (Ὀρφεύς).”

(trans. by the author)

*The same entry from the Souda later states that Porphyry did not accept that Pherecydes the Athenian was the more ancient: Πορφύριος δὲ τοῦ προτέρου οὐδένα πρεσβύτερον δέχεται, ἀλλ’ ἐκεῖνον μόνον ἡγεῖται ἀρχηγὸν συγγραφῆς. “But Porphyry accepts no-one more ancient before (Pherecydes of Syros), but he supposes that he alone is the author of writing (in prose).” (trans. by the author)

Christian Lobeck Aglaophamus I 330; Schuster 80 v. nr. 7. Heyne long ago prescribed that Pherecrates is to be understood in the place of Pherecydes: Sturz Pherecydis fragmenta² 62.

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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