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

SUMMARY: According to these two fragments, Athena is called by the name Virtue, both in the Orphic and Chaldean theologies.

175. (136) σχόλιον Πρόκλου επὶ Τιμαίου Πλάτωνος 24d (I 170, 3 Diehl):

οἰκεῖον γὰρ τὸ τῆς ἀρετῆς γένο πρὸς τὴν μεγίστην τάύτην θεόν, ὡς καὶ αὐτὴν αρετὴν οὖσαν· ἐν γὰρ τῶι δημιουργῶι μένουσα σοφία καὶ νόησίς ἐστιν ἄτρεπτος, καὶ ἐν τοῖς ἡγεμονικοῖς θεοῖς ἐκφαίνει τὴν τῆς ἀρετῆς δύναμιν,

Ἀρετῆς τ' ὄνομ' ἐσθλὸν κλήιζεται,

φησὶν Ὀρφεύς.

“For the genus of Virtue is adapted to this greatest divinity (Ἀθηνᾶ), as being virtue herself. For abiding in the Demiurgus, she is wisdom and immutable intelligence, and in the ruling [or supermundane] Gods, she unfolds the power of virtue.

‘By virtue’s worthy name she’s called,’ ”

says Orpheus.

(trans. Thomas Taylor, 1820)

Compare the same in σχόλιον Πρόκλου επὶ Τιμαίου Πλάτωνος 25 b (I 185, 3 Diehl):

καὶ γὰρ ἄλλη θεολογία τις, οὐχ ἡ Ὀρφικὴ μόνον, Ἀρετὴν αὐτὴν (sc. Minervam) ἀπεκάλεσε.

“for another theology (The Chaldean theology) and not the Orphic only, calls her (that is, Ἀθηνᾶ) Virtue,)” (trans. Thomas Taylor, 1820)

Herm. XXIX to verse 4; Lobeck I 541; Kern Orpheus 50.

On the cult of Ἀρετῆς cultu v. Deubner in Rosch. III 2, 2128.

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.

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

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