ORPHIC FRAGMENT 264

OTTO KERN

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

SUMMARY: This fragment is another excerpt from the Dodekaeteris.

Excerpt from the Δωδεκαετηρίς V (compare to Orphic Fragment 251):

τὸ [δ’ αὐτοῦ] ἔτος Ἥλιος καύσωνι ῥίψει· αὐχμηρὸς γὰρ καιρὸς γένηται· καὶ τὰ σπέρματα πάντα μαρανεῖ· λοιμὸς γὰρ γένηται μέγας εἰς πάντα.

“When Ílios (Ἥλιος) will hurl down with burning heat; for the season should be dry; and all the seeds will wither; in fact, a great plague should come to all.”

(trans. by the author)

Translator’s note: In Josef Heeg’s inaugural dissertation Die Angeblichen Orphischen ΕΡΓΑ ΚΑΙ ΗΜΕΡΑΙ on p. 29 fr. 12, the above fragment follows the quotation from Tzetzes in Orphic fragment 263, so I assume this is during the year “when Jupiter crosses through Aquarius.”


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.