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

SUMMARY: This consists of two quotations. The first fragment, from a Latin author of late antiquity, says that Dionysus was torn apart by the Giants. The second fragment states that the disciples of Orpheus call Dionysus the soul of the world.

213. (206, 208) Maurus Servius Honoratus (late 4^th C. E. century grammarian), Commentary on the Georgics of Vergil I 166 p. 171, 10 compare to Myth. Vat. II 92 (Keseling Diss. Hal. 1908, 23):

'mystica' autem 'Iacchi' ideo ait, (sc. Varro) quod Liberi patris sacra ad purgationem animae pertinebant, et sic homines eius mysteriis purgabantur, sicut vannis frumenta purgantur. hinc est quod dicitur Osiridis membra a Typhone dilaniati Isis cribro superposuisse: nam idem est Liber pater—in cuius mysteriis vannus est, quia, ut diximus, animas purgat, unde et Liber ab eo, quod liberet, dictus est—, quem Orpheus a gigantibus dicit esse discerptum.

“For this reason, he (Varro) says, on the contrary, the ‘Mysteries of Iacchus,’ (because) the sacred things of Father Liber were pertaining to the purification of the soul, and in this way, men were purified by its Mysteries, just as grain is cleansed by winnowing. On this account Isis is said to have set the limbs of Osiris over a sieve, torn apart by Typhon: for this same is Father Liber – in the Mysteries there is a winnow, because, just as we said, he purifies souls, whence also Liber from there, sets them free, having been said that it is -, that one which Orpheus says to have been torn apart by the Giants.”

(trans. by the author)

Mythogr. Vat. III 12, 5 (Raschke De Alberico mythol. 124):

ut autem paulo altius ordiri videamur, habet fabula, Gigantes Bacchum inebriatum invenisse, et discerpto eo per membra, frusta sepelisse, et eum paulo post vivum et integrum resurrexisse. quod figmentum discipuli Orphei interpretati leguntur, nihil aliud Bacchum quam animam mundi intelligendum asserentes; quae ut ferunt philosophi quamvis quasi membratim per mundi corpora dividatur, semper tamen se redintegrare videtur, corporibus emergens et se formans, dum semper una eademque perseverans nullam simplicitatis suae patitur sectionem. hanc etiam fabulam in sacris eius repraesentasse leguntur.

“Where, on the other hand, it appears that we commence somewhat more deeply, for the story holds that the Giants came upon Bacchus when he was inebriated, and having torn his limbs apart, they buried the pieces, and that afterwards, he rose again, alive and unblemished. It has been observed that the disciples of Orpheus have interpreted this image, declaring that Bacchus is not to be understood other than as the soul of the world, so that the philosophers hold that while he is divided, limb by limb, throughout the bodies of the world, nevertheless, he always is seen to make himself whole again, freeing himself from bodies and shaping himself, while always persevering himself one and the same, he does not permit the division of his simplicity. It is observed that they represent this story in his sacred rites.”

(trans. by the author)

Compare also further in the chapters entitled: s. Βακχικὰ and Ἱερός Λόγος [Αἰγύπτιος].

Lobeck I 584 (compare also II 1133 of Hyginus Fabulae 150); M. Mayer Gigant. u. Titan. 150.

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.

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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