The Orphic Poems (Oxford University Press Academic Monograph Reprints)

577 Pages·1984·3.86 MB·English

by  M. L. West

title: The Orphic Poems
author: West, M. L.
publisher: Oxford University Press
isbn10 | asin: 0198148542
print isbn13: 9780198148548
ebook isbn13: 9780585283807
language: English
Orpheus (Greek mythology) , Greek poetry-
subject
-History and criticism.
publication date: 1983
lcc: PA4260.W57 1983eb
ddc: 881/.01/09351
Orpheus (Greek mythology) , Greek poetry-
subject:
-History and criticism.
Page iii
The Orphic Poems
M.L. West
Page iv
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Page v
Preface
A first draft of the present study was written as long ago as 1967. At
that time I conceived it as forming part of the same work as what
became Early Greek Philosophy and the Orient (1971). Fortunately I
realized before it was too late that I had two separate books on my
hands. That one was soon ready for publication; but it was clear that
this one would have to wait until I could obtain more complete
information about the contents of the Derveni papyrus. The late S.G.
Kapsomenos, in whose control it was, promised in 1967 to let me
have a transcript, but never did so despite continued correspondence
and a personal visit by me. At the time of my visit (1970) the
fragments were on public display in the Thessaloniki Museum, and I
was able to copy many of them off the wall. In 1972, in reply to an
appeal on my behalf from the late Sir Eric Turner, Kapsomenos stated
that he had no objection to my making use of what I had managed to
learn in this way. This knowledge was, however, still too incomplete
for me to feel able to proceed. After Kapsomenos' death in 1978
Turner sent me a partial transcript which, it transpired, he had had in
his possession ever since 1964. This gave me more than I had, but
several columns were still lacking. It was not until July 1980 that
G.M. Parassoglou, who was now collaborating with K. Tsantsanoglou
on an edition of the papyrus, removed the last obstacle from my path
by sending me the complete text. As soon as I was free of other
commitments, I turned to the task of revising my old manuscript. I
found that it had to be largely rewritten. This was not only or mainly
on account of the papyrus; there was much that benefited from
renewed attention after the long pause. The delay had after all been
salutary.
I should like to thank some others who have sent me copies of
important publications relevant to the subject: Walter Burkert, Fritz
Graf, Albert Henrichs, and Andrei Lebedev. The reader will see from
the footnotes that I am also indebted
Page vi
to Burkert for many illuminating ideas and observations not to be
found in print. As for the helpfulness and efficiency of the Press,
.
M.L.W.
BEDFORD COLLEGE, LONDON
MAY 1983
Page vii
Contents
List of Plates ix
Explanation of Abbreviations xi
I. A Hubbub of Books 1
Orpheus 3
Early Pythagorean Orphica 7
Bacchic Mysteries 15
The Point of Convergence 18
Orpheus at Athens 20
More Bacchic Mysteries 24
Orpheus in Other Cults 26
Neopythagorean Orphica 29
Jewish Orphica 33
More Hymns 35
Some Later Poems 36
II. Some Mythical Poets Other Than Orpheus 39
Musaeus 39
Epimenides 45
Olen, Pamphos, Abaris, and Others 53
Linus 56
Appendix: The Fragments of Linus 62
III. The Protogonos and Derveni Theogonies 68
Reconstruction of the Rhapsodies Narrative 70
The Derveni Find 75
The Prose Text 77
The Orphic Poem. Its Proem 82
Zeus and His Predecessors 84
The World Absorbed in Zeus 88
The New Creation 90
The Rape of Rhea-Demeter. Younger Gods 93
Mankind 98
Recapitulation: Structure and Contents of the Derveni 100
Poem
Sources of the Protogonos Theogony 101
Date and Place of Origin 108
The Early Transmission of the Poem 111
Appendix: An exempli gratia Reconstruction of the 114
Derveni Theogony
IV. The Eudemian and Cyclic Theogonies 116
The Genealogical Framework 116
The Primeval Parents 119
The Titans 121
The Cyclic Theogony 121
Relationship of the Cyclic to the Protogonos and 126
Eudemian Theogonies
The Overthrow of Uranos 129
The Birth of Zeus 131
The Overthrow of Kronos 133
The Sixth Generation 136
Recapitulation 138