HellenicGods.org - ORPHIC CRITICAL TESTIMONY 62

ORPHIC CRITICAL TESTIMONY 62

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 it was Euridice who was returned to Orpheus from Hades.

ORPHIC CRITICAL TESTIMONY 62.

Ἐπιτάφιος Βίωνος Θεοκρίτου (Mosch. III) 122 (v. nr. 58):

οὐκ ἀγέραστος ἐσσεῖθ’ ἁ μολπά, χὠς Ὀρφέι πρόσθεν ἔδωκεν ἁδέα φορμίζοντι παλίσσυτον Εὐρυδίκειαν.

“Your song will not go without reward, just as she (Κόρη) previously gave Evrydíkî (Εὐρυδίκη) back to Orphéfs (Ὀρφεύς), who sang sweetly to the playing of the lyre.”

(trans. by the author)

Before Virgil, who tells this most famous fable in Culex 268-295 and Georgica IV 453 ss., it is certain that the Alexandrian poets had pursued quite extensively the fable of Orpheus and Euridice; nevertheless, that Vergil in Georgica followed in the footprints of Philitas (of Cos), as proposed by Ernst Maaß in Orpheus p. 296, is an idea to which I did not agree (v. see also Carl Wilhelm Vollgraff Nikander und Ovid I 42; Ludolf Malten Kyrene 31). In addition to Vergil, these following passages should be especially mentioned among the numerous Roman poets: Publius Ovidius Naso Metamorphoses X 1; Lucius Annaeus Seneca the Younger Hercules furens 569; and Hercules Oetaeus 1061; Marcus Annaeus Lucan in Orpheus 328 Hosius.

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

HOME GLOSSARY RESOURCE ART LOGOS CONTACT