HOME GLOSSARY RESOURCE ART LOGOS CONTACT

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

SUMMARY: These fragments talk of Attis and Adonis.

201. Ἀπορίαι καὶ λύσεις περὶ τῶν πρώτων ἀρχῶν εἰς τὸν Πλάτωνος Παρμενίδην Δαμασκίου 352 (II 214, 4 Rue.):

αὐτίκα πρὸς τὸ πρῶτον ἔχωμεν καὶ παρὰ τοῖς θεολόγοις, ὅτι εἰσὶν θεοὶ ἐν ὑπερτέραι µὲν τάξει τὴν λῆξιν ἱδρυσάµενοι, τοῦ δὲ ἑξῆς διακόσµου προϊστάµενοι κατ' ἰδιότητα· οἷον ὁ Ἄττις ἐν τῆι σεληναίαι καθήµενος λήξει δημιουργεῖ τὸ γενητόν. οὕτως ἔχοντα καὶ τὸν Ἄδωνιν εὑρίσκομεν ἐν ἀπορρήτοις, οὕτω πολλοὺς θεοὺς παῥ Ὀρφεῖ τε καὶ τοῖς θεουργοῖς.

“To begin with, in regards to the first, we possess also, along with the theologians, (knowledge) that there are Gods in a higher division who established their allotment in rank, and in the order of the arrangement, they rule following a specific character; as, for instance, Áttis, seated in the order of the moon, fabricates by means of allotment what is subject to generation. In this way also we find Ádônis (operating) in the Mystíria (ἀπορρήτοις), as likewise do many other Gods in (the teachings of) Orphéfs (Ὀρφεύς) and in the theurgists.”

(trans. by the author)

Εὐχὴ πρὸς Μουσαῖον 40-41 (ἀφορμή τῶν ὕμνων τοῦ Ὀρφέως)·

Μητέρα τ’ ἀθανάτων, Ἄττιν καὶ Μῆνα κικλήσκω

Οὐρανίαν τε θεάν, σὺν δ' ἄμβροτον ἁγνὸν Ἄδωνιν.

“Prayer to Mousaios 40-41 (the beginning of the Orphic Hymns):

‘I call the Mother of the Immortals, Áttis and the Moon,

and the Goddess Ouranía, together with immortal holy Ádônis.’ ”

(trans. by the author)

Compare to Hymn. in Φιλοσοφούμενα ή κατὰ πασῶν αἱρέσεων ἔλεγχος τοῦ Ἱππολύτου τῆς Ῥώμης, (Lat. Refutatio omnium haeresium). V 9, 8 p. 99, 12 Wendl. (Wilamowitz Herm. XXXVII 1902, 329; Griech. Verskunst 371):

χαῖρε, <ὠ> τὸ κατηφὲς ἄκουσμα Ῥέας Ἄττι·

σὲ καλοῦσι μὲν Ἀσσύριοι τριπόθητον Ἄδωνιν,

ὅλη δ’ Ἀἴγυπτος Ὄσιριν,

ἐπουράνιον μηνὸς κέρας Ἑλληνὶς σοφία κτλ.

“Welcome, oh Áttis, the sad song of Rǽa (Ῥέα);

the Assyrians call you thrice-desired Ádônis,

and all Egypt (calls you) Ósiris,

Greek wisdom (calls you) the heavenly horn of the crescent moon*...”

(trans. by the author)

*Translator’s note: μηνὸς, may be translated simply as “moon.” In some versions of the text, it is capitalized Μηνὸς, “the heavenly horn of the Moon.” Since Áttis was in the last line called Ósiris, this could be a reference to Ísis (Ἶσις), the consort of Ósiris, that he is like the horns on the headdress of Ísis, except in the heavens; she wears the moon on her head, surrounded by horns.

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

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.

HOME GLOSSARY RESOURCE ART LOGOS CONTACT