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

SUMMARY: In this fragment, Demeter, with her attendants, prepared ambrosia, nectar, and honey (for the feast).

189. (107) σχόλιον Πρόκλου επὶ Κρατύλου Πλάτωνος 404 b, (p. 92, 14 G. Pasquali):

ἡ δὲ Δημήτηρ πρώτη καὶ τὰς διττὰς τροφὰς διεῖλεν ἐν τοῖς θεοῖς, ὥς φησιν Ὀρφεύς·

μήσατο γὰρ προπόλούς <τε> καὶ ἀμφιπόλους καὶ ὀπαδούς,

μήσατο δ' ἀμβροςίην καὶ ἐρυθροῦ νέκταρος ἀρδμόν,

μήσατο δ' ἀγλαὰ ἔργα μελισσάων ἐριβόμβων.

“But Ceres (Δημήτηρ) first of all separates the two kinds of aliment (nourishment, τροφὰς) in the Gods, as Orpheus says:

‘She cares for pow’rs ministrant, whether they

Or Gods precede or follow, or surround:

Ambrosia, and tenacious nectar red

Are too the objects of her bounteous care.

Last to the bee her providence extends,

Who gathers honey with resounding hum.’ ”

(trans. Thomas Taylor, 1816)

Another translation:

“For she (Δημήτηρ) prepared ministers and attendants and escorts;

She prepared amvrosía (ἀμβροσία) and a draught of red nectar;

She prepared the splendid fruits of the loud-buzzing bees.”

(trans. by the author)

(This follows next in Próklos, but is not actually part of the Kern fragment:

οὐ μόνον οὖν τὴν ζωήν, ἀλλὰ καὶ τὴν τῆς ζωῆς τελεσιουργίαν ἀπογεννᾷ ἡ δέσποινα ἡμῶν Δημήτηρ ἀπὸ τῶν ἄνω μέχρι τῶν ὑστάτων· καὶ γὰρ καὶ ἡ ἀρετὴ τελειότης τῶν ψυχῶν. κατ᾽ εἰκόνα οὖν τῆς ἀιδίου ταύτης διττῆς ἀπογεννήσεως καὶ αἱ ἐν χρόνῳ τίκτουσαι μητέρες ἅμα τε τὸ βρέφος ἔτεκον καὶ ἅμα τὸ γάλα τροφὴν τῷ τεχθέντι προβάλλουσι φυσικῶς, καὶ οὔτε πρὶν οὔτε ὕστερον.*

“Ceres therefore, our sovereign mistress (δέσποινα) not only generates life, but that which gives perfection to life; and this from supernal natures to such as are last: for virtue is the perfection of souls. Hence mothers who are connected with the circulations of time, bring forth their offspring in imitation of this twofold and eternal generation of Ceres. For, at the same time that they send forth their young into light, they extend to them milk naturally produced as their food.”

[trans. Thomas Taylor, 1816]

*this last phrase καὶ οὔτε πρὶν οὔτε ὕστερον is absent in Taylor. It is translated as, “but not before nor after.”)

Lobeck I 538.

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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