⸻ · ⸻
The Orphic Hymns
the Orphic tradition · Hymn 11, lines 7–9 · Friend of Echo, dancer with the nymphs
11.7
The Orphic Hymns 11.7 · Friend of Echo, dancer with the nymphs
Pan sends visions and stirs up fears, and he is also the friendly god of herdsmen, springs, hunting and dance.
· · ·
ἐπαρωγέ1
eparōgé
helper
φαντασιῶν2
phantasiôn
with visionsappearances
, τʼ3
t’
and
ἔκπαγλε4
ékpagle
terrible
βροτείων5
broteíōn
in mortal
φόβων6
phóbōn
fears
, χαίρων7
chaírōn
delighting
αἰγονόμοις8
aigonómois
in goatherds
ἠδέ9
ēdé
and
τε10
te
—
βούταις11
boútais
oxherds
ἀνὰ12
anà
by
πίδακας13
pídakas
the springs
, εὔσκοπε14
eúskope
keen-sighted
, θηρητήρ15
thērētḗr
hunter
, φίλε16
phíle
friend
Ἠχοῦς17
Ēchoûs
of Echo
, σύγχορε18
sýnchore
dancing partnerin the same chorus
νυμφῶν19
nymphôn
of the nymphs
, helper with visions, and terrible in mortal fears, delighting in goatherds and oxherds by the springs, keen-sighted, hunter, friend of Echo, dancing partner of the nymphs,
helper with visions, and terrible in mortal fears, delighting in goatherds and oxherds by the springs, keen-sighted, hunter, friend of Echo, dancing partner of the nymphs,
Interpretation
helper with visions and terrible in the fears of mortals, delighting in goatherds and oxherds by the springs, keen-sighted, hunter, friend of Echo, dancing partner of the nymphs,
These are the titles of the old country god of Arcadia, who lived among the herds. The Homeric Hymn to Pan shows him at evening with the mountain nymphs, playing his pipes while Echo moans around the mountain peak. The goatherds and oxherds here are real herdsmen; but the hymns also call their initiates boukoloi, "oxherds" (Hymn 1), and the members of such a group may well have heard themselves in this line.
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.
· · ·
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.