The Homeric Hymns: A Translation, with Introduction and Notes

215 Pages·2014·1.04 MB·English

by  Rayor

The Homeric Hymns
A Translation, with Introduction and Notes
Diane J. Rayor
Updated Edition
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA PRESS
Berkley Los Angeles London
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University of California Press
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University of California Press, Ltd.
London, England
© 2004, 2014 by The Regents of the University of
California ISBN 978-0-520-28211-7 (paper)
ISBN 978-0-520-95782-4 (ebook)
The Library of Congress has cataloged an earlier
edition of this book as follows:
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Homeric hymns. English.
The Homeric hymns : translation, with
introduction and notes, Diane J. Rayor.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references (p. ).
ISBN 978-0-520-23993-7 (pbk. : alk. paper) 1.
Homeric hymns—Translations into English. 2.
Hymns, Greek (Classical)—Translations into
English. 3. Gods, Greek—Poetry. I. Rayor, Diane
J. II. Title.
PA4125.H8R395 2004
883'.01—dc21
2003005065
2003005065
To David and Daniel, with love
C O N T E N T S

Preface
Acknowledgment
Map

Introduction
1. Dionysos
2. Demeter
3. Apollo
4. Hermes
5. Aphrodite
6. Aphrodite
7. Dionysos
8. Ares
9. Artemis
10. Aphrodite
11. Athena
12. Hera
13. Demeter
14. Mother of the Gods
15. Herakles
16. Asklepios
17. Dioskouroi
18. Hermes
19. Pan
20. Hephaistos
21. Apollo
22. Poseidon
23. Zeus
24. Hestia
25. The Muses, Apollo, and Zeus
26. Dionysos
27. Artemis
28. Athena
29. Hestia and Hermes
30. Gaia
31. Helios
32. Selene
33. Dioskouroi
34. Xenoi

Notes
Select Bibliography
Glossary
P R E F A C E

In the ten years since the first edition of this book appeared,
the Homeric Hymns have only increased in popularity
among readers and scholars. In addition to some new
reading recommendations and minor corrections, the second
edition has revisions to the Hymn to Dionysos 1, including
twenty-eight new lines. The Hymn to Dionysos 1 once was
one of the longer hymns, at 411 lines; the new fragments
help to reveal the story of Hera’s acceptance of Dionysos on
Mount Olympos.
The Hymn to Dionysos 7 begins with “I will remember,”
and the Hymn to Apollo 3 adds, “I will remember and not
forget.” Altogether or singly, the hymns are worth
remembering, particularly along with Homer or Hesiod. The
Homeric Hymns provide an excellent addition to mythology,
religion, gender, literature, and civilization courses because
of their short length, accessible narratives, general interest,
and connections to other classical and modern works.
As quick introductions to Greek gods, the short hymns
immediately reveal some of the complexities and subtleties
in Greek thought. For example, the Iliad portrays Ares, the
god of war, as utterly bloodthirsty. In the Hymn to Ares,
however, he is also the god who grants the courage for
peace:
But you, Blessed One,
give me courage to stay within the gentle laws of peace,
fleeing enemy battle and violent death. (8.15–17)
The Hymn to Dionysos 7 functions as a brief introduction
to Euripides’ Bacchae, regarding Dionysos’ demeanor,
attributes, and double aspect as beneficent or deadly
depending on human recognition of his divine self. Since
Ovid’s Metamorphoses (3.511–733) combines this hymn and
the Bacchae, the three works illustrate how authors
borrowed and adapted myths in antiquity.
As in Hesiod’s creation tale, Theogony, the short Hymn to
Aphrodite 6 and Hymn to Athena 28 focus on these
goddesses’ double or unusual births:
From his august head, cunning Zeus
himself gave birth to her, born in warlike armor
of gleaming gold. Awe seized all the gods watching.
She sprang quickly from his immortal head
and stood in front of Zeus who bears the aegis,
shaking her sharp spear. (28.4–9)
Paired with the Athenian black figure amphora image of fully
armed Athena stepping out of Zeus’ head, this hymn helps us
remember the attributes of Zeus’ “brain child,” the goddess
of wisdom. Like fine wines with distinctive foods, the hymns
add value in pairings with other ancient literature.
While the entire collection of hymns is essential reading in
mythology courses, the addition of one or two of the four
longer hymns can enrich other courses. For example, ancient
religion and Greek civilization courses benefit from studying
the Hymn to Apollo 3 for the founding of Delphi and the
Hymn to Demeter 2 for the Thesmophoria and the
Eleusinian Mysteries. The Hymn to Demeter 2 and the
Hymn to Aphrodite 5 are essential reading in women in
antiquity courses. For those interested in love poetry, the
Hymn to Aphrodite 5 makes a fascinating comparison to the
erotic poetry of Sappho, Anakreon, and Archilochos. A
Sappho fragment poignantly expresses the human passion,
aging, and mortality central to the Hymn to Aphrodite’s
story of Tithonos (5.218–38):