HellenicGods.org - ORPHIC FRAGMENT 166

ORPHIC FRAGMENT 166

OTTO KERN

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

SUMMARY: In this fragment, Nyx advises Zeus to surround everything with a strong bond, fitting a golden chain from the aether.

166. (122) σχόλιον Πρόκλου επὶ Τιμαίου Πλάτωνος I 28c (II 24, 23 Diehl):

καὶ οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ κρατερὸς δεσμός, ὥς φησιν ὁ θεολόγος, διὰ πάντων τεταμένος καὶ ὑπὸ τῆς χρυσῆς σειρᾶς συνεχόμενος· ἐπ' αὐτῶι γὰρ ὁ Ζεὺς τὴν χρυσῆν ὑφίστησι σειρὰν κατὰ τὰς ὑποθήκας τῆς Νυκτός (v. fr. 160)·

αὐτὰρ ἐπὴν δεσμὸν κρατερὸν περὶ πάντα τανύσσηις,

σειρὴν χρυσείην ἐξ αἰθέρος ἀρτήσαντα.

“And this is the strong bond, as the theologist says, which is extended through all things, and is connected by the golden chain. For Jupiter (Ζεύς) after this, constitutes the golden chain, according to the admonitions of Night (Νύξ).

‘But when your pow’r around the whole has spread a strong coercive bond,

a golden chain suspend from æther.’ ”

(trans. Thomas Taylor, 1820)

Verse 1 the same in σχόλιον Πρόκλου επὶ Τιμαίου Πλάτωνος 28 c (I 314, 12) and 32 c (II 53, 24 Diehl),

and in σχόλιον Πρόκλου επὶ Κρατύλου Πλάτωνος 395 e p. 50, 26 Pasqu.

Verse 2 (σειρὴν χρυσείην ἐξ αἰθέρος ἀρτήσαντα) is the same in σχόλιον Πρόκλου επὶ Τιμαίου Πλάτωνος 28 c (I 314, 17 Diehl), after which are the following words:

σειρᾶς χρυσῦς Ὁμηρικῶς (Ἰλιὰς Ὁμήρου 8.19) τῶν θείων τάξεων τῶν ἐγκοσμίων κεκλημένης

“Orpheus, likewise, Homerically (Ἰλιὰς Ὁμήρου 8.19) calls the divine orders which are above the world, a golden chain.”

(trans. Thomas Taylor, 1820)

Compare also σχόλιον Πρόκλου επὶ Τιμαίου Πλάτωνος 34 b (II 112, 3 Diehl),

and Ἀπορίαι καὶ λύσεις περὶ τῶν πρώτων ἀρχῶν εἰς τὸν Πλάτωνος Παρμενίδην Δαμασκίου 205 (II 87, 2 compare Add. 385 and more directly in W. Kroll Philol. LIII 1894, 426).

Herm. X vs. 9; Lob I 521 n. VI; Holwerda 319.

Εἰς Ἀθηνᾶν πολύμητιν Πρόκλου 7.2:

ἀκροτάτης ἀπὸ σειρῆς (Ludw. p. 150)

“from the highest chain”

Kroll De orac. Chald. 22; Wilamowitz Sitzungsber. Akad. Berlin 1907, 273. 285.

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.

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

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