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The Orphic Hymns
the Orphic tradition · Hymn 11, lines 10–12 · The true Zeus, the horned one
11.10
The Orphic Hymns 11.10 · The true Zeus, the horned one
Pan gives birth to all things and makes them grow. The list ends with a startling title: Pan is the true Zeus, with horns.
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παντοφυές1
pantophyés
all-producing
, γενέτορ2
genétor
begetter
πάντων3
pántōn
of all
, πολυώνυμε4
polyṓnyme
many-named
δαῖμον5
daîmon
power
, κοσμοκράτωρ6
kosmokrátōr
ruler of the world
, αὐξητά7
auxētá
giver of growthincreaser
, φαεσφόρε8
phaesphóre
light-bringer
, κάρπιμε9
kárpime
fruitful
Παιάν10
Paián
PaianHealer
, ἀντροχαρές11
antrocharés
lover of caves
, βαρύμηνις12
barýmēnis
heavy in wrath
, ἀληθὴς13
alēthḕs
the true
Ζεὺς14
Zeùs
Zeus
, ὁ15
ho
the
κεράστης16
kerástēs
horned one
. all-producing, begetter of all, many-named power, ruler of the world, giver of growth, light-bringer, fruitful Paian, lover of caves, heavy in wrath, the true Zeus, the horned one.
all-producing, begetter of all, many-named power, ruler of the world, giver of growth, light-bringer, fruitful Paian, lover of caves, heavy in wrath, the true Zeus, the horned one.
Interpretation
all-producing, begetter of all, many-named power, ruler of the world, giver of growth, light-bringer, fruitful Paian, lover of caves, heavy in wrath, the true Zeus, the horned one.
Several of these titles belong to the Sun in Hymn 8: "ruler of the world," "light-bringer," "fruitful," "Paian." Then the hymn goes further and calls the goat-god "the true Zeus." If Pan is the All, as the opening lines said, he is also the highest god, and the hymn draws that conclusion while still calling him "the horned one."
11.13
The Orphic Hymns 11.13 · Earth, sea, air and fire obey you
The hymn explains why Pan is the All: every element, from the earth up to the highest fire, depends on him.
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For by you the boundless plain of earth is set fast, and the deep-flowing water of the tireless sea yields to you, and Ocean, winding all round the earth in his waters, and the airy portion of nourishment, the spark for living things, and above the summit the eye of the lightest fire.