ORPHIC FRAGMENT 96
OTTO KERN
HellenicGods.org
HOME GLOSSARY RESOURCE ART LOGOS CONTACT
For links to many more fragments: The Orphic Fragments of Otto Kern.
SUMMARY: The Sun rules over all, who was given this dominion by the Demiurge..
96. (79) σχόλιον Πρόκλου επὶ Τιμαίου Πλάτωνος 41c (III 227, 31 Diehl):
τοῦτον (sc. Ἥλιον) γάρ ἐπέστησε τοῖς ὅλοις ὁ δημιουγός (sc. Φάνις)·
καὶ φύλακ' αὐτὸν ἔτευξε κέλευσέ τε πᾶσιν ἀνάσσειν,
ὥς φησιν Ὀρφεύς
“For the Demiurgus gave him (the Sun) dominion over wholes, fabricated him as a guardian, and ordered him, as Orpheus says,
‘. . . O’er all to rule.’ ”
(trans. Thomas Taylor, 1820)
Herm. XXV p. 485; Lobeck I 497; Holwerda 308.
Counter to him who refers the verse to Zefs (Ζεύς) citing as evidence σχόλιον Πρόκλου επὶ Τιμαίου Πλάτωνος 28 c (I 306, 10 Diehl):
τούτους οὖν τοὺς τρεῖς νόας καὶ δημιουργοὺς ὑποτίθεται (sc. Ἀμέλιος) καὶ τοὺς παρὰ τῶι Πλάτωνι (Τίμαιος Πλάτωνος 40 e) τρεῖς βασιλέας καὶ τοὺς παῥ Ὀρφεῖ τρεῖς, Φάνητα καὶ Οὐρανὸν καὶ Κρόνον, καὶ ὁ μάλιστα παρ’ αὐτῶι δηµιουργὸς ὁ Φάνης ἐστίν.
“He (Ἀμέλιος) supposes, therefore, that there are these three intellects and Demiurgi, and says that with Plato (Τίμαιος Πλάτωνος 40 e) there are three kings, and with Orpheus also three, Phanes, Heaven (Οὐρανός), and Saturn (Κρόνος). And he who, according to him, is especially the Demiurgus, is Phanes.” (trans. Thomas Taylor, 1820)
And in σχόλιον Πρόκλου επὶ Τιμαίου Πλάτωνος 30 a (I 390, 6 Diehl):
ὁ δέ γε Πλάτων Ὀρφεῖ συνεπόμενος ἐν τῶι δημιουργῶι πρῶτον εἶναι φησι τὴν τάξιν καὶ τὸ πρὸ τῶν μερῶν ὅλον.
“But Plato following Orpheus, says, that order is first in the Demiurgus, and the whole prior to parts.” (trans. Thomas Taylor, 1820)
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
PHOTO COPYRIGHT INFORMATION: The many pages of this website incorporate images, some created by the author, but many obtained from outside sources. To find out more information about these images and why this website can use them, visit this link: Photo Copyright Information
DISCLAIMER: The inclusion of images, quotations, and links from outside sources does not in any way imply agreement (or disagreement), approval (or disapproval) with the views of HellenicGods.org by the external sources from which they were obtained.
Further, the inclusion of images, quotations, and links from outside sources does not in any way imply agreement (or disagreement), approval (or disapproval) by HellenicGods.org of the contents or views of any external sources from which they were obtained.
For more information: Inquire.hellenicgods@gmail.com
For answers to many questions: Hellenismos FAQ
© 2010 by HellenicGods.org. All Rights Reserved.