ORPHIC CRITICAL TESTIMONY 258

OTTO KERN

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

ADDENDA

(ADDITIONAL TESTIMONIES)

SUMMARY: This testimony, from the Address to the Greeks by the Christian church-father Tatian, says that Orpheus taught poetry, song, and the Mysteries; this is found in a list of inventions that Tatian says were created not by Greeks, but by barbarians.

ORPHIC CRITICAL TESTIMONY 258

(v. nrr. 46 ss.; 90ss.) Ὁ Λόγος πρὸς Ἕλληνας Τατιανοῦ Ἀσσυρίου 1 p. 1, 9 Schw. in the catalog εὑρημάτων “of inventions” (ed. which Tatian says were derived from the barbarians):

ποίησιν μὲν γὰρ ἀσκεῖν καὶ ἄιδειν Ὀρφεὺς ὑμᾶς ἐδίδαξεν, ὁ δὲ αὐτὸς καὶ μυεῖσθαι.

“Orpheus, again, taught you poetry and song; from him, too, you learned the mysteries.”

(trans. J. E. Ryland, 1885)

Compare to Λόγος Στρώματα Κλήμεντος του Ἀλεξανδρέως I 16, 74, 1 with notes by Otto Stählin in Clemens Alexandrinus I 47, 20):

Οὐ μόνης δὲ φιλοσοφίας, ἀλλὰ καὶ πάσης σχεδὸν τέχνης εὑρεταὶ βάβαροι.

“And barbarians were inventors not only of philosophy, but almost of every art.”

(trans. William Wilson, 1885)

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.

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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