⸻ · ⸻
The Orphic Hymns
the Orphic tradition · Hymn 18, lines 4–5 · The keys of the earth and the gift of wealth
18.4
The Orphic Hymns 18.4 · The keys of the earth and the gift of wealth
Plouton holds the keys of the earth and enriches mortals with the harvest.
· · ·
Πλούτων1
Ploútōn
Plouton
, ὃς2
hòs
you who
κατέχεις3
katécheis
hold
κληῖδας4
klēîdas
the keys
of the
ἁπάσης5
hapásēs
whole
γαίης6
gaíēs
earth
, πλουτοδοτῶν7
ploutodotôn
enrichinggiving wealth
the
βροτέην8
brotéēn
mortal
γενεὴν9
geneḕn
race
with the
καρποῖς10
karpoîs
fruits
ἐνιαυτῶν11
eniautôn
of the years
; Plouton, you who hold the keys of the whole earth, enriching the mortal race with the fruits of the years;
Plouton, you who hold the keys of the whole earth, enriching the mortal race with the fruits of the years;
Interpretation
Plouton, you who hold the keys of the whole earth, enriching the race of mortals with the fruits of every year;
Ploutōn is built on ploutos, wealth, and the hymn says so with its next word, ploutodotōn, "giving wealth." The wealth is the harvest: grain grows up out of the earth, and the god beneath it is the one who sends it. Plato's Socrates explains the name in almost the same words in the Cratylus: Plouton is named for "the giving of wealth," because wealth comes up out of the earth from below, and people use the name because they are afraid to say "Hades." Plouton holds the keys of the earth, as Hekate in the first hymn holds the keys of the whole world.
18.6
The Orphic Hymns 18.6 · The earth, queen of all
Plouton too won his share of the world by lot, and his share is the earth, the seat of the gods and the support of mortals.
· · ·
you who won by lot, as your third share, the earth, queen of all, the seat of the immortals, the strong support of mortals;