ORPHIC FRAGMENT 219

OTTO KERN

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


SUMMARY: This fragment states that water is the Bedu (βέδυ) of the Nymphs.

219. (252) Λόγος Στρώματα Κλήμεντος του Ἀλεξανδρέως V 8, 46, 3 (II 357, 10 Staeh.):

ναὶ μὴν ἡ στοιχειωτικὴ τῶν παίδων διδασκαλία τὴν τῶν τεττάρων στοιχείων περιείληφεν ἑρμηνείαν. βέδυ μὲν γὰρ τοὺς Φρύγας τὸ ὕδωρ φησὶ καλεῖν, καθὰ καὶ Ὀρφεύς·

καὶ βέδυ Νυμφάων καταλείβεται ἀγλαὸν ὕδωρ.

ἀλλὰ καὶ ὁ θύτης Δίων ὁμοίως φαίνεται γράφων·

καὶ βέδυ λαβὼν κατὰ χειρῶν καταχέου καὶ ἐπὶ τὴν ἱεροσκοπίην τρέπου.

ἔμπαλιν δὲ ὁ κωμικὸς Φιλύλλιος βέδυ τὸν ἀέρα βιόδωρον ὄντα διὰ τούτων γινώσκει· (It follows after Kock CAF I 787 fr. 20)

“And indeed the most elementary instruction of children embraces the interpretation of the four elements; for it is said that the Phrygians call water Bedu (βέδυ), as also Orpheus says: —

‘And bright water is poured down, the Bedu of the nymphs.’

“Dion Thytes also seems to write similarly:—

‘And taking Bedu, pour it on your hands, and turn to divination.’

“On the other hand, the comic poet, Philydeus, understands by Bedu the air, as being life-giver (βιόδωρος).” (It follows after Kock CAF I 787 fr. 20)

(trans. William Wilson, 1885)

Herm. fr. XIX vs. 9; Lobeck II 836. 883.

With regard to βέδυ v. P. de Lagarde Ges. Abhdlgn. 1866, 285.

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).

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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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