HellenicGods.org - ORPHIC CRITICAL TESTIMONY 248

ORPHIC CRITICAL TESTIMONY 248

OTTO KERN

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

SUMMARY: In this testimony, both Diogenes Laërtius and Clement of Alexandria say that Ion of Chios in his book Triads, says that Pythagoras attributed some of his own works to Orpheus; the Suda (hundreds of years later) includes the book Triads in a list of works by Orpheus but notes that it is said to be the work of Ion the tragedian.

ORPHIC CRITICAL TESTIMONY 248

Βίοι καὶ γνῶμαι τῶν ἐν φιλοσοφίᾳ εὐδοκιμησάντων Διογένους Λαερτίου 8.8· Πυθαγόρας (Diogenes Laërtius):

Ἴων δὲ ὁ Χῖος ἐν τοῖς Τριαγμοῖς* φησιν αὐτὸν (Πυθαγόρας) ἔνια ποιήσαντα ἀνενεγκεῖν εἰς Ὀρφέα.

“And Ion, of Chios, in his Victories* (Τριαγμοί), says that he (Pythagoras) wrote some poems and attributed them to Orpheus.”

(trans. Charles Duke Yonge, 1853)

*I have no idea why Yonge translates the title with the word “Victories;” the title is (in the nominative) Τριαγμοί which means “Triads.”

Λόγος Στρώματα Κλήμεντος του Ἀλεξανδρέως 1.21.131 (II 81, 10 Staeh.) [Stromata of Clement of Alexandria]:

Ἴων δὲ ὁ Χῖος ἐν τοῖς Τριαγμοῖς καὶ Πυθαγόραν εἰς Ὀρφέα ἀνενεγκεῖν τινα ἱστορεῖ.

“Ion of Chios relates in the Triagmi, that Pythagoras ascribed certain works [of his own] to Orpheus.”

(trans. William Wilson, 1885)

Compare to Σοῦδα· Όρφεύς (Suda) Orphic Critical Testimony 223 d:

ἔγραψε Τριασμούς, λέγονται δὲ εἶναι Ἴωνος τοῦ τραγικοῦ· ἐν δὲ τούτοις τὰ Ἱεροστολικὰ καλούμενα.

“He (Orpheus) wrote On Triads (Τριαγμοῖς), but they are said to be by Íôn (ὁ Χῖος) the tragedian; and among them are those named The Sacred Vestments (Ἱεροστολικὰ).”

(trans. by the author)

Hermann Diels Die Fragmente der Vorsokratiker I³ 287 n. 2. Compare P. II s. ΤΡΙΑΓΜΟΙ.

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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