ANCIENT TEXTS
FOR STUDY AND WORSHIP
IN HELLENISMOS
THE ANCIENT GREEK RELIGION
Hellenic Gods.Org
HOME GLOSSARY RESOURCE ART LOGOS CONTACT
AISKHÝLOS - Akhilliís, a trilogy of Aiskhýlos: Here is a link to purchase a reconstruction the famous triloyía (trilogy; Gr. τριλογία) by Aiskhýlos (Aeschylus; Gr. Αἰσχύλος), Akhilliís (Achilleis; Gr. Ἀχιλληΐς). This trilogy was renowned in antiquity and comes down to us in fragments. Mr. Elias Malandris has assembled the fragments together with other antique source material to reconstruct the story of the love between Akhilléfs (Achilles; Gr. Ἀχιλλεύς) and Pátroklos (Patroclus; Gr. Πάτροκλος):
The Akhilliís of Aiskhýlos - A Reconstruction of the Lost Trilogy by Elias Malandris
APULEIUS: CUPID AND PSYCHE relates the story of Ǽrohs (Eros or Cupid; Gr. Ἔρως) and Psykhí (Psyche; Gr. Ψυχή), as told by Apuleius, the Platonist philosopher and writer, as translated by William Adlington in 1566. This page includes the beautiful engravings of Marc Antonio Raimondi which were based on the studies created by his teacher, Raphael, for the frescos on the same subject which Raphael painted in the Villa Farnesina in Rome, illustrating the text:
Particularly appropriate to recite at the Tharyília (Thargelia; Gr. Θαργήλια):
KALLÍMAKHOS HYMN TO APÓLLÔN with detailed commentary and a link to download the hymn:
KALLÍMAKHOS HYMN TO ZEFS: With detailed commentary and a link to download the hymn:
MYTHOLOGY: How is mythology used in our religion and how is it misused?
ORPHIC FRAGMENTS: Here is a link to a group of links including a download of the entire Orphicorum Fragmenta by Otto Kern as well as individual pages which have fragments in their original language as well as English translations:
The Orphic Fragments of Otto Kern
ORPHIC HYMNS are the foundation of ritual in the Orphic tradition.
Visit this page for general discussion of the hymns as well as comments concerning the two different translations currently available in English:
Download: The Hymns of Orpheus in English and in ancient Greek
Various Orphic Hymns examined: Follow this link and scroll down the alphabetical list of deities for links to many pages which break down Orphic hymns word by word: Gods and Heroes.
ORPHIC RHAPSODIC HYMN TO ZEFS - Within the Orphic Rhapsodies is this magnificent hymn in a beautiful translation by Thomas Taylor:
THE ORPHIC THEOGONY is the primary cosmogony believed to have been taught by Orpheus himself. The text is similar to the Theogony of Hesiod but has a different emphasis:
PÆTILÍA GOLDEN TABLET - found in the grave of an Orphic initiate:
PÍNDAROS PYTHIAN ODE V TO ARKÆSILAOS OF KYRÍNI contains references to the Karneian festival:
PLÁTOHN (PLATO):
First Alcibiades - Alkiviádis A
Free audio-books of Plato's dialogues, including an option to download them as a zip-file:
PORPHÝRIOS THE CAVE OF THE NÝMPHAI translated by Thomas Taylor:
http://www.tertullian.org/fathers/porphyry_cave_of_nymphs_02_translation.htm
Download: On the Cave of the Nymphs
THE TRIPLE HEART is a prayer to Apollo composed by the author of this website in English, with a translation into ancient Greek:
The logo to the left 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 (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 (κιθάρα), the lyre of Apóllôn (Ἀπόλλων). It (here) represents the bond between Gods and mortals and is representative that we are the children of Orphéfs (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.
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.
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.
