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The Orphic Hymns
the Orphic tradition · Hymn 32, lines 12–14 · Destroyer of the Giants
32.12
The Orphic Hymns 32.12 · Destroyer of the Giants
She destroyed the Giants of Phlegra; she drives horses, frees mortals from evil and brings victory.
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ὀλέτειρα1
oléteira
destroyer
Γιγάντων2
Gigántōn
of the Giants
Φλεγραίων3
Phlegraíōn
of Phlegra
, ἱππελάτειρα4
hippeláteira
driver of horses
, Τριτογένεια5
Tritogéneia
TritogeneiaTrito-born
, λύτειρα6
lýteira
deliverer
κακῶν7
kakôn
from evils
, νικηφόρε8
nikēphóre
victory-bringing
δαῖμον9
daîmon
goddess
, γλαυκῶφʼ10
glaukôph’
bright-eyedwith gleaming eyes
, εὑρεσίτεχνε11
heuresítechne
inventor of arts
, πολυλλίστη12
polyllístē
much-entreated
βασίλεια13
basíleia
queen
, destroyer of the Giants of Phlegra, driver of horses, Tritogeneia, deliverer from evils, victory-bringing goddess, bright-eyed, inventor of arts, much-entreated queen,
destroyer of the Giants of Phlegra, driver of horses, Tritogeneia, deliverer from evils, victory-bringing goddess, bright-eyed, inventor of arts, much-entreated queen,
Interpretation
destroyer of the Giants of Phlegra, driver of horses, Tritogeneia, deliverer from evils, victory-bringing goddess, bright-eyed, inventor of arts, queen to whom many prayers are made,
Phlegra was the plain where the gods fought the Giants, the sons of Earth, and won. Athena's part in that battle was famous at Athens: the robe woven for her and carried up to the Acropolis at the Great Panathenaia showed the battle of the gods and Giants. Tritogeneia is one of her oldest names, already in Homer, and even the Greeks were unsure what it meant; they explained it from Lake Tritonis in Libya, from a stream called Triton, and in other ways.
32.15
The Orphic Hymns 32.15 · Peace, plenty and health
The prayer: hear me by day and by night, and give the goods of a peaceful life.
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By day and by night, always, in the last hours, hear me as I pray, and give peace rich in blessings and plenty and health besides, in prosperous seasons.