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

SUMMARY: These fragments discuss the role of Atlas after the dismemberment of Dionysus.

215. (205) σχόλιον Πρόκλου επὶ Τιμαίου Πλάτωνος 24 e (I 173, 1 Diehl):

καὶ γὰρ θεολόγοι μετὰ τὸν τοῦ Διονύσου διασπασμόν, ὃς δηλοῖ τὴν ἐκ τῆς ἀμερίστου δημιουργίας μεριστὴν πρόοδον εἰς τὸ πᾶν ὑπὸ (del. dubitanter Kroll) τοῦ Διός, τοὺς μὲν ἄλλους Τιτᾶνας ἄλλας λήξεις διακεκληρῶσθαί φασι, τὸν δὲ Ἄτλαντα ἐν τοῖς πρὸς ἑσπέραν τόποις ἱδρῦσθαι ἀνέχοντα τὸν οὐρανόν·

Ἄτλας δ' οὐρανὸν εὐρὺν ἔχει κρατερῆς ὑπ’ ἀνάγκης,

πείρασιν ἐν γαίης. (Θεογονία Ἡσιόδου 517)

“Theologists also after the laceration of Bacchus (Διόνυσος), which manifests the divisible progression into the universe under Jupiter (Ζεύς) from the impartible fabrication, say that the other Titans had different allotments, but that Atlas was established in the western parts, sustaining the heavens.

‘By strong necessity the wide-spread heav’n

In earth’s extremes, by Atlas was sustain’d.’ ” (Θεογονία Ἡσιόδου 517)

(trans. Thomas Taylor, 1820)

Θεογονία Ἡσιόδου 517, who has the same words as above in Próklos (Ἄτλας δ᾽ οὐρανὸν εὐρὺν ἔχει κρατερῆς ὑπ᾽ ἀνάγκης κτλ.).

Compare to σχόλιον Σιμπλικίου επὶ περὶ οὐρανοῦ Ἀριστοτέλους 284 a 14 p. 375, 12 Heib.:

εἰ δὲ μῦθος ὄντως ἐστὶ θεῖόν τι κρύπτων ἐν ἑαυτῶι καὶ σοφόν, λεγέσθω, ὅτι Ἄτλας εἷς μέν ἐστι καὶ αὐτὸς τῶν περὶ τὸν Διόνυσον Τιτάνων, διὰ δὲ τὸ μὴ τελέως ἐξαμαρτεῖν εἰς αὐτόν, τουτέστι μὴ κατὰ τὴν Τιτανικὴν μόνην διάκρισιν ἐνεργῆσαι περὶ τὴν Διονυσιακὴν δημιουργίαν, ἀλλ’ ἀποκλίνειν πως καὶ πρὸς τὴν Δΐιον συνοχὴν κατ’ ἄμφω τὰς ἰδιότητας ἐνεργεῖ κτλ.

“And if the myth is actually concealing something divine and wise within itself, let it be said, that indeed Átlas is himself one of the Titánæs (Τιτάνων) involved in the case concerning Diónysos, but not through complete error in himself, that is to say, not that he operated only through the Titanic dissolution in the case of Dionysian creation, but also, turning aside in some way to the continuity of Zefs (Ζεύς), he operates following both of their particular natures.”

(trans. by the author)

Herm. XXXV vs. 1; Lobeck I 564. 711; Schoemann Opusc. academ. II 17; Mayer Gigant. u. Titan. 236.

Compare also an inscription from the Chest of Kýpsælos (Κύψελος) [Ἑλλάδος Περιήγησις Παυσανίου, Book 5.18.4 Ἦλις]:

Ἄτλας οὐρανὸν οὗτος ἔχει, τὰ δὲ μᾶλα μεθήσει.

“This Atlas is holding the sky, but he will release the apples.”

(Robert Herm. XXIII 1888, 440 n. 3; Heldens. II 494 n. 4; Preger n. 186, 4 p. 144).

Other ταρταρώσεις (Tartarian punishments) above in fragment 121 ss.; Promîthéfs (Προμηθεύς), the brother of Átlas fragment 143.

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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