ORPHIC FRAGMENT 251 - OTTO KERN

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

SUMMARY: This fragment is an astrological excerpt from the book entitled Dodekaeteris.

251. Excerpt from Δωδεκαετηρίς Ὀρφικά “The Orphic Cycle of Twelve Years” (V, v. Josef Heeg Diss. 17):

Περὶ τῆς φύσεως τῶν ιβ’ ζωιδίων καὶ πρὸς τὰ ἐνιαύσια καταστήματα τῶν φυσικῶν ἰδιωμάτων.

“About the nature of the twelve zodiacal signs and of the natural properties in respect to the annual positions of the heavens”

...embellished with dactylic verse, from codd. Vatican. gr. 1290 fol. 69^v, Monac. gr. 287 fol. 92^v, Mutin. gr. 85 fol. 23^v published by Franz Boll from Catalog. cod. astrologorum graecor. V 1, 241.

(ed. Here follows the fragment):

<Διὸς Κριὸν περιπολεύοντος> τὸ [δὲ] ἔτος [ὅπερ αὐτὸς κυριεύσει] ὑπάρχει πολεμικὸν ἀπ’ ἀρχῆς, πάμφορον πάνυ, παντοίας τροφὰς ἐπιφέρον· πτώσεις δὲ ἀνθρώπων· καὶ τετράποδα θάλψουσι πάντα.

“When Jupiter crosses Aries and the year [the very one ruling] is warlike from its beginning, exceedingly productive, bringing nourishment of all kinds; the calamities of men; and the four-footed animals will all be in heat.”

(trans. by the author)

Franz Boll Sphaera 330 s.; Josef Heeg 17. 21. 24. 26 fr. 2.

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.