ORPHIC FRAGMENT 201

OTTO KERN

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


SUMMARY: These fragments talk of Attis and Adonis.

201. Ἀπορίαι καὶ λύσεις περὶ τῶν πρώτων ἀρχῶν εἰς τὸν Πλάτωνος Παρμενίδην Δαμασκίου 352 (II 214, 4 Rue.):

αὐτίκα πρὸς τὸ πρῶτον ἔχωμεν καὶ παρὰ τοῖς θεολόγοις, ὅτι εἰσὶν θεοὶ ἐν ὑπερτέραι µὲν τάξει τὴν λῆξιν ἱδρυσάµενοι, τοῦ δὲ ἑξῆς διακόσµου προϊστάµενοι κατ' ἰδιότητα· οἷον ὁ Ἄττις ἐν τῆι σεληναίαι καθήµενος λήξει δημιουργεῖ τὸ γενητόν. οὕτως ἔχοντα καὶ τὸν Ἄδωνιν εὑρίσκομεν ἐν ἀπορρήτοις, οὕτω πολλοὺς θεοὺς παῥ Ὀρφεῖ τε καὶ τοῖς θεουργοῖς.

“To begin with, in regards to the first, we possess also, along with the theologians, (knowledge) that there are Gods in a higher division who established their allotment in rank, and in the order of the arrangement, they rule following a specific character; as, for instance, Áttis, seated in the order of the moon, fabricates by means of allotment what is subject to generation. In this way also we find Ádônis (operating) in the Mystíria (ἀπορρήτοις), as likewise do many other Gods in (the teachings of) Orphéfs (Ὀρφεύς) and in the theurgists.”

(trans. by the author)

Εὐχὴ πρὸς Μουσαῖον 40-41 (ἀφορμή τῶν ὕμνων τοῦ Ὀρφέως)·

Μητέρα τ’ ἀθανάτων, Ἄττιν καὶ Μῆνα κικλήσκω

Οὐρανίαν τε θεάν, σὺν δ' ἄμβροτον ἁγνὸν Ἄδωνιν.

“Prayer to Mousaios 40-41 (the beginning of the Orphic Hymns):

‘I call the Mother of the Immortals, Áttis and the Moon,

and the Goddess Ouranía, together with immortal holy Ádônis.’ ”

(trans. by the author)

Compare to Hymn. in Φιλοσοφούμενα ή κατὰ πασῶν αἱρέσεων ἔλεγχος τοῦ Ἱππολύτου τῆς Ῥώμης, (Lat. Refutatio omnium haeresium). V 9, 8 p. 99, 12 Wendl. (Wilamowitz Herm. XXXVII 1902, 329; Griech. Verskunst 371):

χαῖρε, <> τὸ κατηφὲς ἄκουσμα Ῥέας Ἄττι·

σὲ καλοῦσι μὲν Ἀσσύριοι τριπόθητον Ἄδωνιν,

ὅλη δ’ Ἀἴγυπτος Ὄσιριν,

ἐπουράνιον μηνὸς κέρας Ἑλληνὶς σοφία κτλ.

“Welcome, oh Áttis, the sad song of Rǽa (Ῥέα);

the Assyrians call you thrice-desired Ádônis,

and all Egypt (calls you) Ósiris,

Greek wisdom (calls you) the heavenly horn of the crescent moon*...”

(trans. by the author)

*Translator’s note: μηνὸς, may be translated simply as “moon.” In some versions of the text, it is capitalized Μηνὸς, “the heavenly horn of the Moon.” Since Áttis was in the last line called Ósiris, this could be a reference to Ísis (Ἶσις), the consort of Ósiris, that he is like the horns on the headdress of Ísis, except in the heavens; she wears the moon on her head, surrounded by horns.


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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