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

SUMMARY: This fragment proclaims that Zeus has ordained the end of the circle of births and relief from misery to the souls of humans.

230. σχόλιον Σιμπλικίου επὶ περὶ οὐρανοῦ Ἀριστοτέλους II 1, 284 a 14 (377, 12 Heib.)

ἐνδεθῆναι δὲ ὑπὸ τοῦ τὸ κατ’ ἀξίαν πᾶσιν ἀφορίζοντος δημιουργοῦ θεοῦ ἐν τῶι τῆς εἱμαρμένης τε καὶ γενέσεως τροχῶι, οὗπερ ἀδύνατον ἀπαλλαγῆναι κατὰ τὸν Ὀρφέα μὴ τοὺς θεοὺς ἐκείνους ἱλεωσάμενον

οἷς ἐπέταξεν ὁ Ζεὺς

κύκλου τ’ ἀλλῆξαι καὶ ἀναψῦξαι κακότητος τὰς ἀνθρωπίνας ψυχάς.

“And to be entangled by the Dimiourgic God, who, determining (reward) for all in conformity with merit, both to the wheel of destiny and generation, which, according to Orphéfs (Ὀρφεύς), we are unable to escape without the favor of the Gods:

‘In which Zefs (Ζεὺς) enjoined

to free the human souls from the circle (of births) and lift them from misery.’ ”

(trans. by the author)

Compare to fragment 229. It is likely that both verses (the above and fr. 229) were drawn from the same Orphic poem (v. Rohde Psyche II⁶ 124 n. 1).

For the circle, compare also ὕμνος Ὀρφέως 57.7 Ἑρμοῦ Χθονίου:

ὁπότ’ ἂν μοίρης χρόνος εἰσαφίκηται

“whensoever their destined time has come”

And Vergilius Aeneid 6.745:

perfecto temporis orbe

“having completed the circle of time.”

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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