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

SUMMARY: In this fragment, Orpheus states that calamint was once a great plant which bore fruit (but Demeter hated it and made it barren).

44. (214) Ἐτυμολογικὸν Γουδιανόν e. Sturz 395, 1.:

Μινθη, ἥν τινες ἡδύοσμον καλοῦσι· ἔστι [1] δὲ καλάμινθος, ἄγριον ἡδύοσμον, ὅπερ λυπουμένη ἡ Δημήτηρ ἰδοῦσα [ἰδοῦσα] [2] ἐμίσησε καὶ ἄκαρπον ἐποίησεν. Ὀρφεύς·

τὸ πρὶν ἐὸν μέγα δένδρον ἐπὶ χθονὶ, καὶ φερέκαρπον. [3]

"Mint, they call sweetly fragrant (ἡδύοσμος can be a synonym for “mint”); but calamint (καλάμινθος [4]), (they call) wild-smelling; and Dîmítîr (Δημήτηρ), seeing him in pain (from having eaten the herb?), hated it and made it barren. (As) Orphéfs (Ὀρφεύς) (says):

‘Formerly being a great plant [5] on the earth, and yielding fruit.’ ” (trans. by the author)

[1] ἔτι Sturzius; corr. Lobeck.

[2] secl. Lobeck.

[3] φέρε καρνόν Sturzius; corr. Lobeck.

[4] this word has been defined: calamint, mint, and catnip.

[5] Liddell & Scott: tree; Brill: tree or plant.

Lobeck II 833; Kaibel Herm. XXX 1895, 439; Malten Arch. Religionsw. XII 1909, 417 n. 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.

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

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