ORPHIC FRAGMENT 261
OTTO KERN
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For links to many more fragments: The Orphic Fragments of Otto Kern.
SUMMARY: This fragment is from Tzetzes’ commentary on the Iliad in which he quotes from the Dodekaeteris.
261. (22) ἐξήγησις ἐπὶ Ἰλιὰς Ὁμήρου τοῦ Ἰωάννου Τζέτζου 127, 4 Herm.:
ὁ παλαιὸς γὰρ Ὀρφεύς, ἀφ’ οὗπερ ὁ ἐμὸς χρυσοῦς Ὅμηρος ὡς ἀνθεμουργὸς μέλισσα πολλὰ (Abel; Ὅμηρος πολλὰ ἀνθεμουργὸν μέλισσαν Herm.) ἄνθη ἐπῶν ἀπεδρέψατο, ἐν ταῖς ἑαυτοῦ Δωδεκαετηρίσιν οὐ νήδυμόν φησιν, ἀλλὰ ἥδυμον (Ὀδύσσεια Ὁμήρου ν 79 ἥδυμος ὕπνος) λέγων οὑτωσί·
ὧδε γὰρ ἂν µίµνοι καθαρός τε <καὶ> ἔµπεδος οἶνος
ἥδυµος εὐώδης τε· καλὸν δ᾽ ἔτος ἐστὶ φυτείηι.
“For the ancient Orphéfs (Ὀρφεύς), from whom my golden Ómiros (Ὅμηρος), as the bee working in flowers, plucked many flowers of poetry, in his Dôdækaætîrís (Δωδεκαετηρίς) does not say nídymon (νήδυμον “sweet”), but ídymon (ἥδυμον also “sweet,” but a slightly different word; Ὀδύσσεια Ὁμήρου ν 79 ἥδυμος ὕπνος “sweet sleep”), saying in this way:
‘For, thus, the wine would remain pure and steadfast,
sweet and fragrant; and it is a good year to plant.’ ”
(trans. by the author)
Herm. 512 n. 34; Christian Lobeck Aglaophamus I 424; Franz Boll Sphaera 330 n. 1; Josef Heeg 21. 29 fr. 10.
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).
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.
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Pronunciation of Ancient Greek
Transliteration of Ancient Greek
Pronouncing the Names of the Gods in Hellenismos
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