HellenicGods.org - ORPHIC FRAGMENT 263

ORPHIC FRAGMENT 263

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 Hesiod’s Works and Days.

263. (12) ἐξήγησις τοῦ Ἰωάννου Τζέτζου εἰς τὰ Ἔργα καὶ τὰς Ἡμέρας τοῦ Ἡσιόδου 568 (Thomas Gaisford Poetæ Minores Græci II 335, 17):

Ὀρφεὺς δὲ μαθηματικῶς* πάντα παρακελεύεται δρᾶν· οἷον . . .

“Orphéfs (Ὀρφεὺς) exhorts us to do everything according to mathematics*: because of what . . .”

(trans. by the author)

Orphic Fragment 282 includes the verse which follows (Σελήνης τρεχούσης περὶ Παρθένον πάντα φυτεύειν πλὴν μόνων ἀμπέλων· μισεῖ γὰρ ἡ Παρθένος τὴν ἄμπελον διὰ τὸν πατέρα Ἰκάριον.), which is followed by this verse:

Διὸς Ὑδροχόον περιπολεύοντος μὴ πλεύσηις· χαλεπὴ γὰρ τότε λίαν ἐστὶν ἡ θάλασσα.

“When Jupiter crosses through Aquarius you should not sail; for at that time the sea is exceedingly dangerous.”

(trans. by the author)

Christian Lobeck Aglaophamus I 424; Josef Heeg 29 fr. 12.

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.

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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