ORPHIC FRAGMENT 189

OTTO KERN

HellenicGods.org

HOME GLOSSARY RESOURCE ART LOGOS CONTACT

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.

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

PHOTO COPYRIGHT INFORMATION: The many pages of this website incorporate images, some created by the author, but many obtained from outside sources. To find out more information about these images and why this website can use them, visit this link: Photo Copyright Information

DISCLAIMER: The inclusion of images, quotations, and links from outside sources does not in any way imply agreement (or disagreement), approval (or disapproval) with the views of HellenicGods.org by the external sources from which they were obtained.

Further, the inclusion of images, quotations, and links from outside sources does not in any way imply agreement (or disagreement), approval (or disapproval) by HellenicGods.org of the contents or views of any external sources from which they were obtained.

For more information: Inquire.hellenicgods@gmail.com

For answers to many questions: Hellenismos FAQ

© 2010 by HellenicGods.org. All Rights Reserved.

HOME GLOSSARY RESOURCE ART LOGOS CONTACT

free hit counter
Web Analytics Made Easy - StatCounter