ORPHIC FRAGMENT 131
OTTO KERN
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For links to many more fragments: The Orphic Fragments of Otto Kern.
SUMMARY: This fragment speculates that Orpheus saw Cronus as mind and Nyx as the first substance and nurse of all things.
131. (99) Ἀπορίαι καὶ λύσεις περὶ τῶν πρώτων ἀρχῶν εἰς τὸν Πλάτωνος Παρμενίδην Δαμασκίου 67 (I 146, 12 Rue.):
ἔοικε δὲ καὶ Ὀρφεὺς τὸν Κρόνον εἰδὼς νοῦν, ὡς δηλοῖ ὅ τε σύμπας μῦθος ὁ περὶ αὐτοῦ καὶ ὁ ἀγκυλομήτης <καὶ add. Lobeck> τὴν Νύκτα ὡς πρώτην οὐσίαν καὶ τροφὸν πάντων (v. fr. 106) διὰ τοῦτο ἀνυμνουμένην αὐτὸν μάλιστα τὸν Κρόνον πεποιηκέναι (πεποίηκε Lobeck) τρέφουσαν, ὡς τοῦ νοῦ οὖσαν τὸ νοητόν, ἐπειδὴ τῶι νοοῦντι τροφὴ τὸ νοούμενόν ἐστι κατὰ τὸ λόγιον. [1]
“But it is likely that Orphéfs (Ὀρφεὺς), regarding Krónos as mind (since the entire myth makes this clear about him, as well as [his epithet] ἀγκυλομήτης [“shrewd”]), and knowing Nyx as the first substance and thus the nurse of all things (v. fragment 106); through this, as proclaimed by oracle, and above all from her rearing Krónos, thus, she is the intelligible (object) of mind (i.e. comprehension), since comprehension is the nourishment to perception, according to the oracle.” [1]
(trans. by the author)
Lobeck I 506; Kern De Theogon. 57.
ὕμνος Ὀρφέως 13.9 Κρόνου:
ἀγκυλομῆτα, φέριστε.
“Oh shrewd, most valiant one!”
[1] Kroll Χαλδαϊκὸς χρησμὸς 19 n. 1:
“τῷ δὲ νοοῦντι τροφὴ τὸ νοητόν” κατὰ τὸ λόγιόν ἐστι.
“ ‘And for one with perception (νοοῦντι), comprehension (νοητόν) is nourishment’ according to the oracle.
(trans. by the author)
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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Pronouncing the Names of the Gods in Hellenismos
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