HellenicGods.org - textsforhellenicreligion

ANCIENT TEXTS

FOR STUDY AND WORSHIP

IN HELLENISMOS

THE ANCIENT GREEK RELIGION

Hellenic Gods.Org

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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:

Cupid and Psyche

Particularly appropriate to recite at the Tharyília (Thargelia; Gr. Θαργήλια):

Homeric Hymn to Delian Apollo

KALLÍMAKHOS HYMN TO APÓLLÔN with detailed commentary and a link to download the hymn:

Kallímakhos Hymn to Apóllôn

KALLÍMAKHOS HYMN TO ZEFS: With detailed commentary and a link to download the hymn:

Kallímakhos' Hymn to Zefs

MYTHOLOGY: How is mythology used in our religion and how is it misused?

Mythology in Hellenismos

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:

The Orphic Hymns

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:

Orphic Rhapsodic Hymn to Zeus

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:

The Orphic Theogony

PÆTILÍA GOLDEN TABLET - found in the grave of an Orphic initiate:

Petelia Golden Tablet

PÍNDAROS PYTHIAN ODE V TO ARKÆSILAOS OF KYRÍNI contains references to the Karneian festival:

Pindar: Pythian Ode V

PLÁTOHN (PLATO):

First Alcibiades - Alkiviádis A

Free audio-books of Plato's dialogues, including an option to download them as a zip-file:

LibriVox: Plato on Audio

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 Triple Heart in English and 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

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