HOME GLOSSARY RESOURCE ART LOGOS CONTACT

For links to many more fragments: The Orphic Fragments of Otto Kern.

SUMMARY: Nyx receives the scepter from Phanes.

101. (86) σχόλιον Πρόκλου επὶ Κρατύλου Πλάτωνος 396b (54, 21 Pasqu.):

ἦ ὅτι τῆς βασιλικῆς τῶν θεῶν σειρᾶς ἀρχομένης μὲν ἀπὸ Φάνητος, καταντώσης δ᾽ εἰς τὸν δεσπότην ἡμῶν τὸν Διόνυσον καὶ τὸ αὐτὸ σκῆπτρον ἄνωθεν ἄχρι τῆς ἐσχάτης βασιλείας προαγούσης, μόνος ὁ Κρόνος, τὴν τετάρτην βασιλικὴν τάξιν κληρωσάμενος, παρὰ πάντας τοὺς ἄλλους ὑβριστικῶς δοκεῖ κατὰ τὸ μυθικὸν πρόσχημα προσδέχεσθαι καὶ ἐκ τοῦ Οὐρανοῦ τὸ σκῆπτρον καὶ μεταδιδόναι τῷ Διί· καὶ γὰρ ἡ Νὺξ παρ᾽ ἑκόντος αὐτὸ λαμβάνει τοῦ Φάνητος· | ^{55 Pasqu.}

σκῆπτρον δ' ἀριδείκετον εἷο χέρεσσιν θῆκε θεᾶς Νυκτὸς ἑκούσης ὑποδέχεται τὴν ἐπικράτειαν τῶν ὅλων.

καὶ ὁ Οὐρανὸς παρὰ τῆς Νυκτὸς ἑκούσης ὑποδέχεται τὴν ἐπικράτειαν τῶν ὅλων.

“Wherefore the kingly lineage of Gods begins in truth from Phánîs (Φάνης), coming down to our lord Diónysos (Διόνυσος), and advancing the same scepter from on high even to the furthermost dominion; only Krónos (Κρόνος), allotted the fourth kingly rank, beside all the others (received it) in a wanton manner, as imagined in the mythic pretext, and (receives) from Ouranós (Οὐρανός) the scepter and transmits it to Zefs (Ζεύς); for Nyx takes it of herself from Phánîs (who yields it) purposely:

‘He laid his glorious staff in the hands of the Goddess Nyx, so that she receive the entire dominion.’

“And from the free will of Nyx, Ouranós received dominion of the universe.”

(trans. by the author)

Lobeck I 502; Zeller I⁶ 123.

For verse 2 compare Θεογονία Ἡσιόδου 461:

........ ἵνα μή τις ἀγαυῶν Οὐρανιώνων

ἄλλος ἐν ἀθανάτοισιν ἔχοι βασιληίδα τιμήν.

“........ that no other of the proud sons of Heaven (Οὐρανός)

should hold the kingly office amongst the deathless Gods.”

(trans. Hugh G. Evelyn-White, 1914)

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.

HOME GLOSSARY RESOURCE ART LOGOS CONTACT