ORPHIC CRITICAL TESTIMONY 41
OTTO KERN
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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.
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.
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Pronunciation of Ancient Greek
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Pronouncing the Names of the Gods in Hellenismos
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