ORPHIC CRITICAL TESTIMONY 80
OTTO KERN
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For links to many more fragments: The Orphic Fragments of Otto Kern.
SUMMARY: This testimony, from the Argonautica of Apollonius Rhodius, lists Orpheus first in his catalog of Argonauts. Apollonius says that Orpheus became one of their number at the urging of Cheiron, the Centaur.
ORPHIC CRITICAL TESTIMONY 80.
Ἀργοναυτικὰ Ἀπολλωνίου Ῥοδίου I 32:
Ὀρφέα μὲν δὴ τοῖον ἑῶν ἐπαρωγὸν ἀέθλων
Αἰσονίδης Χείρωνος ἐφημοσύνηισι πιθήσας
δέξατο, Πιερίηι Βιστωνίδι κοιρανέοντα.
Orpheus is first in the list of Argonauts:
“Such then was Orpheus whom Aeson's son welcomed to share his toils, in obedience to the behest of Cheiron, Orpheus ruler of Bistonian Pieria.”
(trans. R. C. Seaton, 1912)
(v. see previous nrr. 23 and 51), subsequent writers followed him, Gruppe collected the passages and they are found in Rosch. III 1155; Kern Orpheus 27 and Carl Robert Griechische Heldensage l. l. Concerning Orpheus in the Ὀρφέως Ἀργοναυτικά v. also C. Hoffmann De Pseudo-Orpheus catalog of Argonauts diss. Erlang. 1888, 3 and Kern l. l. 33. Concerning the love of Orpheus for Kálaïs (Κάλαϊς, one of the Argonauts and son of Βορέας) see the poem of Phanocles nr. 77. V. see also nrr. 99. 105.
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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