ORPHIC FRAGMENT 46 - OTTO KERN
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For links to many more fragments: The Orphic Fragments of Otto Kern.
SUMMARY: In this fragment, according to Orphic literature, it is said that the children of Hecuba are called piglets and are addressed by the name “Hecabae.”
46. (261) σχολιαστής επί τῇ Ἑκάβῃ τοῦ Εὐριπίδου 3 (I 11, 19 Schw.):
τὰ περὶ τῆς Ἑκάβης διαφόρως ἱστόρηται. Φιλόχορος μὲν γὰρ ἐν τῶι περὶ τραγωιδιῶν συγγράμματι (FHG IV 648) Χοιρίλην αὐτήν φησι καλεῖσθαι, ἴσως δὲ διὰ τὸ πολύπαιδα γεγενῆσθαι· ἡ γὰρ χοῖρος πολλὰ τίκτει, καὶ ἐν τοῖς Ὀρφικοῖς οἱ χοῖροι [1] ἑκάβαι προσαγορεύονται. οἱ δὲ λοιποὶ τῶι κυρίωι αὐτὴν ὀνόματι προσηγόρευσαν.
“The things concerning Ækávî (Ἑκάβη) are accounted for variously. For indeed, Philókhoros (Φιλόχορος) says, according to the book On Tragic Poets, that she herself is called Hirílî (Χοιρίλη, “sow”), perhaps because she produced many children; for the pig produces many (piglets), and in the Orphic poetry the piglets are addressed as “Ækávai” (Ἑκάβαι). But the others called her by the name “Mistress.” (trans. by the author)
[1] αἱ χοῖροι Platt Journ. phil. Lond. XXVI 1899, 232.
Sittig RE2 VII 2659.
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.
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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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