ORPHIC FRAGMENT 108
OTTO KERN
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For links to many more fragments: The Orphic Fragments of Otto Kern.
SUMMARY: This group of fragments talks of Phanes-Ericepaeus, who ruled before Nyx.
108. (78) σχόλιον Συριανοῦ τὰ μετὰ τὰ φυσικά τοῦ Ἀριστοτέλους N 4 p. 1091 b 4 (182, 9 Kr.):
οὐδὲ ταῦτα <κατὰ add. Lobeck> τὸ ἀληθὲς ἱστόρηται περὶ τῶν θεολόγων· ἐκεῖνοι γὰρ Νύκτα μὲν καὶ Οὐρανόν φασι βασιλεύειν καὶ πρὸ τούτων τὸν μέγιστον αὐτῶν πατέρα·
τὸν τόθ' ἑλὼν διένειμε θεοῖς θνητοῖσί τε κόσμον,
οὗ πρῶτος βασίλευσε περικλυτὸς Ἠρικεπαῖος.
“But this is not true if one inquires about the theologians. For indeed, they say that Nyx and Ouranós were ruling and before these their great father:
‘At that time he seized the world and apportioned it to Gods and mortals,
where the first to reign is famous Îrikæpaios (Ἠρικεπαῖος).’ "
(trans. by the author)
σχόλιον Σιμπλικίου επὶ περὶ φυσικής ἀκρόασις Ἀριστοτέλους IV (coroll. de loco) I 641, 28 Diels:
καὶ γὰρ αἱ νοηταὶ τάξεις ὡς τόπους διαφόρους ἐκληρώσαντο τὰς τοῦ νοητοῦ κόσμου διαφόρους υποδοχάς· λέγει γοῦν Ὀρφεὺς περὶ ἐκείνου τοῦ τὰς τῶν λήξεων διαφορὰς ἔχοντος· τοῖον ἑλὼν --- κόσμον, καὶ ἡ περιοχὴ δὲ τόπος ἐκεῖ λέγεται πολλάκις.
“In fact, even the intelligible orders, as different regions, obtained by lot different quarters (receptacles, υποδοχάς) of the intelligible world. At least (this is what) Orphéfs (Ὀρφεὺς) says concerning (who is) holding those divisions of the allotments; having taken such a thing ... the world, and the extent is often said to be a region.”
(trans. by the author)
σχόλιον Ἀλεξάνδρου του Ἀφροδισίου περὶ τοῖς μετὰ τοῖς φυσικοῖς τοῦ Ἀριστοτέλους loc. 821, 18 Hayd.:
πρῶτον μὲν γὰρ βασίλευσε περικλυτὸς Ἠρικεπαῖος (v. supra p. 170)
“For indeed famous Irikæpaios (Ἠρικεπαῖος) rules first.” (see above p. 170)
(trans. by the author)
See the various lectures in fragment 107. Compare also Ἀπορίαι καὶ λύσεις περὶ τῶν πρώτων ἀρχῶν εἰς τὸν Πλάτωνος Παρμενίδην Δαμασκίου 190 (II 67, 8 Rue.):
διὸ καὶ παρ’ Ὀρφεῖ ὁ Φάνης ἀσύντακτός ἐστι πρὸς τοὺς ἄλλους θεούς. εἰ δὲ βασιλεύει, πάντος ὅτι (cf. Kroll Philol. LIII 1894, 424) τῶν ἐν αὐτῶι (Herm. XXIII 1888, 483 n. V) βασιλεύει, τῶν γοῦν μετ' αὐτὸν ἡ Νὺξ ἀφηγεῖται.
“Wherefore also in the Orphic teaching, Phánîs (Φάνης) is not organized with the other Gods. But if he reigns, he is the one who reigns from all (compare Kroll Philol. LIII 1894, 424) in himself (Herm. XXIII 1888, 483 n. V); at all events, after him Nyx takes command.”
(trans. by the author)
Lobeck I 577; Howerda 307. 310.
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.
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