ORPHIC CRITICAL TESTIMONY 41

OTTO KERN

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

SUMMARY: This testimony consists of two quotations; the first says that Orpheus is from Mount Olympus, the second says he is from Leibethra, the ancient Macedonian city at the foot of the same mountain.

ORPHIC CRITICAL TESTIMONY 41.

ἐξήγησις ἐπὶ Ἰλιὰς Ὁμήρου τοῦ Ἰωάννου Τζέτζου 80, 2 Herm.:

Ὄλυμπος πραγματικῶς μὲν ὄρος ἐστὶν τῆς Μακεδονίας, ἔνθα καὶ τοὺς θεοὺς φασὶν εἶναι, διὰ τὸ τὸν Ὀρφέα, ἐκεῖθεν ὄντα, διδάξαι σεβασμοὺς καὶ θρησκείας θεῶν.

“Ólymbos (Ὄλυμπος), in fact, is a mountain of Macedonia, where the Gods are also said to be, along with Orphéfs (Ὀρφεὺς), who was from that place, and who taught rituals and the cults of the Gods.”

(trans. by the author)

The same in Χιλιάδες τοῦ Ἰωάννου Τζέτζου VI 91, 945:

54. Περὶ Λειβηθρίου·

ὄρος καὶ τὸ Λειβήθριόν ἐστιν, ἀλλὰ καὶ πόλις

τῆς γῆς Φραικῶν τῶν Ὀδρυσσῶν, ὧν ὁ Ὀρφεὺς ὑπῆρχεν.

γράφει γὰρ οὕτως ὁ ἀνὴρ ἐν τοῖς αὑτοῦ βιβλίοις·

‘Νῦν δ’ ἄγε μοι, κούρη Λειβηθριίς ἔννεπε, Μοῦσα.’

54. About Leivîthra [Λείβηθρα]:

“And Leivîthra is a mountain, but also a city

in the country of the Thracian Odrysseans, where Orphéfs (Ὀρφεὺς) was.

For this man writes in his books,

‘But come now, girl, sing to me, Mousa of Leivîthra!’ ”

(trans. by the author)

Heeg Diss. 54; v. in the following part.

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.