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The Orphic Hymns
the Orphic tradition · Hymn 31, lines 1–5 · Leaping Kouretes, armed dancers
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Hymn 31 · The Kouretes
ΥΜΝΟΣ ΚΟΥΡΗΤΩΝ
A hymn to the Kouretes
31.1
The Orphic Hymns 31.1 · Leaping Kouretes, armed dancers
The first hymn to the Kouretes has no incense note. It is one long list of their dance steps and titles.
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ΥΜΝΟΣ1
Hýmnos
A hymn
ΚΟΥΡΗΤΩΝ2
Kourḗtōn
to the Kouretes
. Σκιρτηταὶ3
Skirtētaì
Leaping
Κουρῆτες4
Kourêtes
Kouretes
, θέντες5
théntes
setting down
ἐνόπλια6
enóplia
armed
βήματα7
bḗmata
steps
, ποσσίκροτοι8
possíkrotoi
stamping
, ῥομβηταί9
rhombētaí
whirlingspinning like a top
, ὀρέστεροι10
orésteroi
of the mountains
, εὐαστῆρες11
euastêres
revelerswho cry euoi
, κρουσιλύραι12
krousilýrai
lyre-strikers
, παράρυθμοι13
parárythmoi
keeping time
, ἐπεμβάται14
epembátai
treading
with
κούφοις15
koúphois
light
ἴχνεσι16
íchnesi
steps
, ὁπλοφόροι17
hoplophóroi
arms-bearers
, φύλακες18
phýlakes
guardians
, κοσμήτορες19
kosmḗtores
marshalswho set in order
, ἀγλαόφημοι20
aglaóphēmoi
glorious
, συνοπάονες21
synopáones
companions
ὀρειμανέος22
oreimanéos
of the mountain-raving
μητρὸς23
mētròs
Mother
, ὀργιοφάνται24
orgiophántai
revealers of the riteswho show the secret rites
; A hymn to the Kouretes. Leaping Kouretes, setting down armed steps, stamping, whirling, of the mountains, revelers, lyre-strikers, keeping time, treading with light steps, arms-bearers, guardians, marshals, glorious, companions of the mountain-raving Mother, revealers of the rites;
A hymn to the Kouretes. Leaping Kouretes, setting down armed steps, stamping, whirling, of the mountains, revelers, lyre-strikers, keeping time, treading with light steps, arms-bearers, guardians, marshals, glorious, companions of the mountain-raving Mother, revealers of the rites;
Interpretation
A hymn to the Kouretes. Leaping Kouretes, who dance your steps in armor, stamping, whirling, dwelling on the mountains, crying euoi, striking the lyre, keeping time, treading with light feet, bearing arms, guardians, marshals, glorious, companions of the Mother who raves on the mountains, revealers of the rites;
The Kouretes were young armed dancers. In the Cretan story Rhea hid the newborn Zeus in a cave, and they danced around him clashing spear on shield, so that his father Kronos would not hear him cry. The hymn is full of that dance: leaping, stamping, whirling, keeping time with light feet and with music. It also makes them companions of the Mother who raves on the mountains, the goddess of Hymn 27, and orgiophantai, "revealers of the rites," the ones who show the secret orgia to new initiates.
31.6
The Orphic Hymns 31.6 · Come kindly to the herdsman
The prayer, which repeats the closing words of the hymn to Hekate.
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May you come kindly at our words of good omen, gracious to the herdsman, always with a rejoicing heart.