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The Orphic Hymns
the Orphic tradition · Hymn 12, lines 4–6 · Archer and seer, helper of all
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.
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ἄρρητʼ1
árrēt’
unspeakable
, ἀγριόθυμε2
agrióthyme
wild-heartedwild of temper
, πολύλλιτε3
polýllite
much prayed to
, παντοδυνάστα4
pantodynásta
lord of allalmighty
, ἔχων5
échōn
withhaving
παγκρατὲς6
pankratès
an almighty
ἦτορ7
êtor
heart
, μέγα8
méga
great
κάρτος9
kártos
strength
, τοξότα10
toxóta
archer
, μάντι11
mánti
seer
, παμφάγε12
pampháge
all-devouring
, παγγενέτορ13
pangenétor
father of all
, πανυπέρτατε14
panypértate
supreme
, ἀρωγέ15
arōgé
helper
πᾶσιν16
pâsin
to 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,
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,
Interpretation
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,
Pamphagos, "all-devouring," is a joke elsewhere: in Greek comedy Heracles is the great eater, always hungry. Here the word stands beside pangenetōr, "father of all," and the pair gives Heracles the double power that the next hymn gives to Kronos, who "consumes all things and increases them in turn."
12.7
The Orphic Hymns 12.7 · Longing for peace that nurtures children
Heracles hunted down the savage creatures that threatened human beings because he longed for peace, and the hymn calls him the finest offspring of the earth.
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you who put an end to the savage tribes for mortals, by hunting them down, longing for peace that nurtures children, splendidly honored, self-born, untiring, best offspring of earth, flashing with primal bolts, glorious power,