ORPHIC CRITICAL TESTIMONY 65

OTTO KERN

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SUMMARY: This testimony tells the whole story of Orpheus and Euridice, ending with Orpheus putting aside women, and surrendering himself to lonely places.

ORPHIC CRITICAL TESTIMONY 65.

De mythographi Vaticam secundi fontibus I 76:

Orpheus, Oeagri et Calliopae Musae filius, ut quidam putant, Apollinis filiam (Apollinis filius Bode) habuit uxorem Eurydicem. Quam dum Aristaeus, Cyrenis filius, pastor cupidus, persequitur, volens eam stuprare, illa fugiens concubitum, serpentem non devitauit; et haec ei causa mortis fuit. Orpheus coactus desiderio coniugis temptavit dulcedine cantus citharae lenire Ditem et Proserpinam, si posset Eurydicen ad superos revocare. Descendit igitur ad inferos et in miserationem eos cantu suo conpulit; acceptaque lege, impetravit Eurydicen ita demum, si non ante respexisset quam ad superos perveniret. Deinde ut est dura amantium perseverantia, Orpheus timens ne non inesset pollicitis Ditis fides, respexit et irritum fecit suum laborem. Reversus deinde ad superos qui parum prosperas expertus erat nuptias, perosus omne genus femineum solitudinibus se dedit (v. nr. 76).

“Orpheus, the son of Oeagrus and the Muse Calliope - but as some think, the son of Apollo - had Euridice as his wife. While Aristaeus, the son of Cyrene, a lustful shepherd, chased after her, meaning to defile her, she fled from there, seeking to escape rape, but she could not avoid a snake, and this was the cause of her death. Orpheus, driven by grief for his wife, made an attempt to pacify Dis (Pluto) and Proserpina, having made melodious notes with the sweetness of his cithara, if only he should able to bring back Euridice to the land of the living. He descends, accordingly, to the Underworld, and moved them to pity with his song. Accepting a condition, he recovered Euridice precisely in this manner, in that he may not turn around before he should come up to the land of the living. Thereafter, since constancy is enduring for those in love, Orpheus, fearing there might not be credibility in the promises of Dis, turned around and void was made his labor. Thereafter, having been returned to the living, he, having experienced too little fortune in marriage, weary of the entire race of women, surrendered himself to lonely places (v. see note 76).”

(trans. by the author)

Raschke De Alberico mythologo 86.


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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