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

SUMMARY: This fragment identifies the four rivers of the Underworld with the four classical elements.

125. (156) σχόλιον Ὀλυμπιοδώρου επὶ Φαίδωνος Πλάτωνος D ρμέ p. 241, 5 Norv.:

ὅτι οἱ τέτταρες ποταμοὶ τὰ τέτταρα στοιχεῖά ἐστι τὰ ἐν τῶι Τάρταροςωι, ὁ μὲν Ὠκεανός, φησι, τὸ ὕδωρ, ὁ δὲ Κωκυτὸς ἤτοι Στύγιος ἡ γῆ, ὁ δὲ Πυριφλεγέθων τὸ πῦρ, ὁ δὲ Ἀχέρων ὁ ἀήρ. ἀντικεῖσθαι δὲ τῶι μὲν Πυριφλεγέθοντι τὸν Στύγιον, ὡς θερμὸν ψυχρῶι, τῶι δὲ Ὠκεανῶι τὸν Ἀχέροντα, ὡς ὑδραῖον ἀερίωι· διὸ καὶ Ὀρφεὺς τὴν Ἀχερουσίαν λίμνην ἀερίαν καλεῖ.

“The four rivers are the four elements in Tártaros (Τάρταρος). He says that Ôkæanós (Ὠκεανός) is Water, the Kôkytós (Κωκυτὸς) and surely the Styx (Στύξ) is Earth, the Pyriphlæyǽthôn (Πυριφλεγέθων) is Fire, and the Akhǽrôn (Ἀχέρων) is Air. And opposing the Pyriphlæyǽthôn is the Styx, thus making heat in cold; and to Ôkæanós is the Akhǽrôn, thus Water to Air. Wherefore, also, Orphéfs (Ὀρφεὺς) calls the Akhærousian Lake airy.”

(trans. by the author)

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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