HellenicGods.org - ORPHIC FRAGMENT 42

ORPHIC FRAGMENT 42 - OTTO KERN

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

SUMMARY: In this fragment, Callimachus of Alexandria says that Hecate is the daughter of Zeus and Demeter.

42. (219) σχολιαστής επί Θεοκρίτου II 12 p. 272, 18 Wend.:

Καλλίμαχος (fr. 556 Schneid.) κατὰ λέξιν ὧδέ φησιν· [1]

‘τῆι Δήµητρι µειχθεὶς ὁ Ζεὺς τεκνοῖ Ἑκάτην διαφέρουσαν ἰσχύϊ καὶ µεγέθει τῶν θεῶν’. [2]

ἣν ὑπὸ γῆν πεµφθῆναι ὑπὸ τοῦ πατρὸς πρὸς Περσεφόνης ζήτησιν [3] <φησίν vel φασίν· διὸ> [4] καί νύν Ἄρτεμις καλεῖται καί Φύλαξ [5] καί Δαδοῦχος καί Φωσφόρος καί Χθονία. [6]

“Kallímakhos (fr. 556 Schneid.) in his discourse says as follows:

‘Zefs (Ζεὺς) having united with Dîmítîr (Δημήτηρ) begets Ækátî (Ἑκάτη), excelling among the Gods by might and power.’

“He says she was sent below the earth by her father in search of Pærsæphónî (Περσεφόνη), she is now called by the name Ártæmis (Ἄρτεμις), and Phýlax (Φύλαξ, guardian), Dadoukhos (Δαδοῦχος, torch-bearer), Phôsphóros (Φωσφόρος, light-bringer), and Kthónia (Χθόνια, the earthy one).” (trans. by the author)

[1] Verba Καλλίμαχος – πησιν solum in cod. K extant, qui habet καταλέξω δὲ φησι. Emendavit post Schneid. Reitzenstein Ined. poet. Graec. fragm. III (Ind. lect. Rostoch. 1892/1893) 32.

[2] τῶν θεῶν om. K.

[3] ὰναζήτησιν UEAG.

[4] φησιν· διὸ add. Reitzenestein; φασιν Schneid.

[5] Φύλαξ K, φυλακὴ cett. Cf. Hesych. s. φυλάδα.

[6] ἡ Χθονία pro καὶ Χθ. K.

Lobeck I 545; Malten Arch. Religionsw. XII 1909, 439 n. et Herm. XLV 1910, 549, 3, qui Callimachi verba, quae usque ad Χθονία pertinere arbitratur, ex Apollodoro fluxisse Herm. 1.1. 550 n. 1 non sine iure contendens fr. 42 cum 41 coniungit.

Callimachum Orphicorum auctoritate usum esse verisimile est, v. frr. 35 et 41 (Malten Herm. 1.1. 550 . 3).

The story of the birth of the Gods: Orphic Rhapsodic 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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