ORPHIC CRITICAL TESTIMONY 5
OTTO KERN
HellenicGods.org
HOME GLOSSARY RESOURCE ART LOGOS CONTACT
For links to many more fragments: The Orphic Fragments of Otto Kern.
SUMMARY: This testimony says that some in ancient times believed that there were two Orpheuses.
ΟΡΦΕΙΣ (Orpheus, but in the plural)
ORPHIC CRITICAL TESTIMONY 5.
σχολιαστὴς επὶ Ἀπολλωνίου τοῦ Ῥοδίου I 23:
Ἡρόδωρος (FHist.Gr. II 38 fr. 39) δύό εἶναι Ὀρφεῖς φησιν, ὧν τὸν ἕτερον συμπλεῦσαι τοῖς Ἀργοναύταις. Φερεκύδης, ἐν τῇι ς΄ (FHist.Gr. I 87 fr. 63) Φιλάμμονά φησι καὶ οὐκ Ὀρφέα συμπεπλευκέναι. ἔστι δέ, ὡς Ἀσκληπιάδης (nr. 22), Ἀπόλλωνος καὶ Καλλιόπης· ἔνιοι δὲ ἀπὸ Οἰάγρου καὶ Πολυμνίας. ζητεῖται δέ, διὰ τί Ὀρφεύς ἀσθενὴς ὤν συνέπλει τοῖς ἥρωσιν. ὅτι μάντις ὢν ὁ Χείρων ἔχρησε δύνασθαι κατὰ τὰς Σειρῆνας παρελθεῖν αὐτοὺς Ὀρφέως συμπλέοντος.
“Iródôros (Ἡρόδωρος) says there were two Orphéfses (Ὀρφεύς), one of whom sailed with the Argováftai (Αργοναύται). Phærækýdîs (Φερεκύδης), in his sixth book, says that Philámmôn (Φιλάμμων) and not Orphéfs sailed with them. And he (Ὀρφεύς) is, as Asklîpiádîs (Ἀσκληπιάδης) says, the son of Apóllôn (Ἀπόλλων) and Kalliópî (Καλλιόπη); but some say from Íagros (Οἴαγρος) and Polýmnia (Πολύμνια). And one wonders why Orphéfs, who was weak, sailed with the Heroes. But Heirôn (Χείρων), who was a seer, proclaimed that they would be able to pass by through the Seirínæs (Σειρῆνες) should Orphéfs sail with them.”
(trans. by the author)
V. look also to verse 31:
Πιερία ὄρος Θράικης, ἐν ἧι διέτριβεν Ὀρφεύς, φησὶ δὲ Ἡρόδωρος (fr. 39), ὅτι παρήινησεν ὁ Χείρων τῶι Ἰάσονι, ὅπως τὸν Ὀρφέα σὺν τοῖς Ἀργοναύταις παραλάβηι v. nr. 79
“Piæría (Πιερία) is a mountain of Thrákî (Θρᾴκη), on which Orphéfs (Ὀρφεύς) was living, and Iródôros (Ἡρόδωρος) says, that Heirôn (Χείρων) exhorted Iásôn (Ἰάσων), that ‘you should take Orphéfs with the Argováftai (Αργοναύται).’ ”
(trans. by the author)
Efstáthios (Εὐστάθιος) Il. B 848 p. 359, 15:
οἱ παλαιοί, οἵ καὶ δύο φασὶ γενέσθαι Ὀρφέας Κίκονας, ὧν ὁ εἷς τοῦ Οἰάγρου παλαιὸς καὶ πολλῶι προγενέστερος τοῦ ὑστέρου, καὶ ὡς αὐτοί φασιν, ἕνδεκα γενεαῖς.
“The ancients, who also say that there were two Kikonian Orphéfses (Ὀρφέας Κίκονας), one who was the son of ancient Íagros (Οἴαγρος) and born long before the younger, even as they say, eleven generations.”
(trans. by the author)
Ernst Maaß De biograph. Graec. quaest. sel. (Philol. Untersuch. III) 126 n. 137.
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
PHOTO COPYRIGHT INFORMATION: The many pages of this website incorporate images, some created by the author, but many obtained from outside sources. To find out more information about these images and why this website can use them, visit this link: Photo Copyright Information
DISCLAIMER: The inclusion of images, quotations, and links from outside sources does not in any way imply agreement (or disagreement), approval (or disapproval) with the views of HellenicGods.org by the external sources from which they were obtained.
Further, the inclusion of images, quotations, and links from outside sources does not in any way imply agreement (or disagreement), approval (or disapproval) by HellenicGods.org of the contents or views of any external sources from which they were obtained.
For more information: Inquire.hellenicgods@gmail.com
For answers to many questions: Hellenismos FAQ
© 2010 by HellenicGods.org. All Rights Reserved.