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

SUMMARY: These fragments discuss the roles of Hera and Hestia.

161. Ἀπορίαι καὶ λύσεις περὶ τῶν πρώτων ἀρχῶν εἰς τὸν Πλάτωνος Παρμενίδην Δαμασκίου 283 (II 156, 17 Rue.):

ἔτι δὲ κατ' Ὀρφέα δύο προβάλλεται (sc. ἡ τῶν ἀμειλίκτων προβολὴ) ζωιογόνους θεότητας, τὴν μὲν κατὰ τὸ κινούμενον μᾶλλον, τὴν δὲ μᾶλλον κατὰ τὸ <ἑστό>ς, Ἥραν (v. fragment 163) φημὶ καὶ Ἑστίαν· ταύτην μὲν ἑδράζουσαν τοὺς εἰς τόδε τὸ πᾶν προϊόντας θεούς, ἐκείνην δὲ πάντας εἰς πρόοδον ἐκκαλουμένην.

“And yet, in accordance with Orphéfs (Ὀρφεύς), he sets two generative divinities before as a defense (that is, as a defense of the harsh), one more according to that which is in motion, and the other more according to being firm, I say Íra (Ἥρα) (v. fragment 163) and Æstía (Ἑστία); this one establishing the Gods advancing into this whole, and that one calling them all to procession.”

(trans. by the author)

Compare to σχόλιον Πρόκλου επὶ Τιμαίου Πλάτωνος 41 d (III 249, 16 Diehl):

ὁ δὲ θεολόγος ὁ παρ’ Ἕλλησιν [Θεογονία Ἡσιόδου 453 s] Ἥραν αὐτὴν προσείρηκε μετὰ τῆς Ἑστίας ἀναφανεῖσαν ἀπὸ τῆς μεγίστης Ῥέας, ἣ περιείληφεν ἁπάσας τὰς ζῳογονικὰς δυνάμεις, ἐπὶ τέλει καὶ αὐτὴν ἀποτίκτουσα τὴν Φύσιν, εἰ καὶ συντάττει τῷ δημιουργῷ τὴν Ἥραν ὡς μητέρα πατρί, καὶ πάσης τῆς Τιτανικῆς διαιρέσεως ἔξαρχον αὐτὴν παραδίδωσι τῆς [τε] ἐν ψυχαῖς θεωρουμένης κατὰ τὰς μοίρας και διακρίσεως αἰτίαν.

“But the theologist of the Greeks denominates this vivific (generative) cause Juno (Ἥρα), who presents herself to the view together with Vesta (Ἑστία), from the mighty Rhea, who comprehends in herself all the vivific powers, and who at last brings forth Nature herself; though he conjoins Juno with the Demiurgus, as mother with father, and represents her as the source of all the Titannic division, which is surveyed in souls, according to portions, and the cause of separation.”

(trans. Thomas Taylor, 1820)

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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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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