HellenicGods.org - ORPHIC CRITICAL TESTIMONY 32

ORPHIC CRITICAL TESTIMONY 32

OTTO KERN

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

SUMMARY: This testimony states that Orpheus was a Thracian.

ORPHIC CRITICAL TESTIMONY 32.

Ποικίλη ἱστορία τοῦ Κλαυδίου Αἰλιανοῦ VIII 6:

τῶν ἀρχαίων φασὶ Θραικῶν μηδένα ἐπίστασθαι γράμματα· ἀλλὰ καὶ ἐνόμιζον αἴσχιστον εἶναι πάντες οἱ τὴν Εὐρώπην οἰκοῦντες βάρβαροι χρῆσθαι γράμμασιν. οἱ δὲ ἐν τῆι Ἀσίαι ὡς λόγος ἐχρῶντο αὐτοῖς μᾶλλον. ἔνθεν τοι καὶ τολμῶσι λέγειν μηδὲ τὸν Ὀρφέα σοφὸν γεγονέναι, Θρᾶικα ὄντα, ἀλλ᾽ ἄλλως τοὺς μύθους αὐτοῦ κατεψεύσθαι (Perizon.] καταψεύσασθαι codd.). ταῦτα Ἀνδροτίων (FHG I 375 fr. 36) λέγει, εἴ τωι πιστὸς ὑπὲρ τῆς ἀγραμματίας καὶ ἀπαιδευσίας Θραικῶν τεκμηριῶσαι.

“They say that not even one of the ancient Thracians was literate; but also, all the barbarians inhabiting Europe routinely proclaim that it is most dishonorable to be learned. But, according to tradition, those in Asia were more eager to (become literate). As a result of this, they venture that even Orphéfs (Ὀρφεὺς) could not have been skilled in speaking, being Thracian, but that the myths about him are lies. Androtíôn (Ἀνδροτίων) says these things, if it can be trusted that he proved definitively concerning the illiteracy and want of education among the Thracians.”

(trans. by the author)

Diels II³ 170 n. 11; Robert Heldens. I 398 n. 2.

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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