⸻ · ⸻
The Orphic Hymns
the Orphic tradition · Hymn 12, lines 1–3 · Heracles, father of time
⸻ · ⸻
Hymn 12 · Heracles
ΗΡΑΚΛΕΟΥΣ, θυμίαμα λίβανον
Of Heracles · incense: frankincense
12.1
The Orphic Hymns 12.1 · Heracles, father of time
Heracles, the hero of the twelve labors, is called a Titan and the father of time, as though he were a god of the whole world, like the Sun.
· · ·
ΗΡΑΚΛΕΟΥΣ1
Hērakléous
Of Heracles
. θυμίαμα2
thymíama
Incense
λίβανον3
líbanon
frankincense
. Ἥρακλες4
Hḗrakles
Heracles
, ὀβριμόθυμε5
obrimóthyme
strong of spirit
, μεγασθενές6
megasthenés
mighty in strength
, ἄλκιμε7
álkime
brave
Τιτάν8
Titán
Titan
, καρτερόχειρ9
karterócheir
strong-handed
, ἀδάμαστε10
adámaste
untamed
, βρύων11
brýōn
teeming
κραταιοῖς12
krataioîs
with mighty
ἄθλοισι13
áthloisi
labors
, αἰολόμορφε14
aiolómorphe
of changing form
, πάτερ15
páter
father
χρόνου16
chrónou
of time
, ἀίδιός17
aídiós
eternal
τε18
te
—
καὶ19
kaì
and
εὖφρον20
eûphron
kindly
, Of Heracles. Incense: frankincense. Heracles, strong of spirit, mighty in strength, brave Titan, strong-handed, untamed, teeming with mighty labors, of changing form, father of time, eternal and kindly,
Of Heracles. Incense: frankincense. Heracles, strong of spirit, mighty in strength, brave Titan, strong-handed, untamed, teeming with mighty labors, of changing form, father of time, eternal and kindly,
Interpretation
Of Heracles. Incense: frankincense. Heracles, strong of spirit, mighty in strength, brave Titan, strong-handed, untamed, teeming with mighty labors, changing in form, father of time, eternal and kindly,
In most Greek stories Heracles is the son of Zeus and a mortal woman, Alcmene: a hero who became a god only after his death. This hymn makes him far greater. He is a Titan, one of the old race of gods, and "father of time," the title the Sun received in Hymn 8. The later lines explain why, picturing Heracles as he crosses the sky from dawn to dusk.
12.4
The Orphic Hymns 12.4 · Archer and seer, helper of all
More titles: unspeakable, wild-hearted, almighty, an archer and a seer, devourer of all and father of all.
· · ·
unspeakable, wild-hearted, much prayed to, lord of all, with an almighty heart, great strength, archer, seer, all-devouring, father of all, supreme, helper to all,