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The Orphic Hymns
the Orphic tradition · Hymn 38, lines 20–22 · The very sons of Zeus
38.20
The Orphic Hymns 38.20 · The very sons of Zeus
All their names together: Kouretes, Korybantes, lords of Samothrace, sons of Zeus, everlasting breaths.
· · ·
Κουρῆτες1
Kourêtes
Kouretes
Κορύβαντες2
Korýbantes
Korybantes
, ἀνάκτορες3
anáktores
lords
, τε4
te
and
εὐδύνατοί5
eudýnatoí
mighty
ἄνακτες6
ánaktes
lords
ἐν7
en
in
Σαμοθρῄκῃ8
Samothrḗikēi
Samothrace
, ὁμοῦ9
homoû
at once
αὐτοί10
autoí
the very
κόροι11
kóroi
sonsboys
Ζηνὸς12
Zēnòs
of Zeus
, ἀέναοι13
aénaoi
ever-flowing
πνοιαὶ14
pnoiaì
breaths
, ψυχοτρόφοι15
psychotróphoi
nourishers of the soulsoul-nourishing
, ἠεροειδεῖς16
ēeroeideîs
misty
, Kouretes, Korybantes, lords, and mighty lords in Samothrace, at once the very sons of Zeus, ever-flowing breaths, nourishers of the soul, misty,
Kouretes, Korybantes, lords, and mighty lords in Samothrace, at once the very sons of Zeus, ever-flowing breaths, nourishers of the soul, misty,
Interpretation
Kouretes, Korybantes, lords, mighty lords in Samothrace, and at the same time the very sons of Zeus, ever-flowing breaths that nourish the soul, misty,
Now every name is poured together. The Kouretes are the Korybantes, they are the lords of Samothrace, and they are "the very sons of Zeus," Zēnos koroi, which is what the name Dioskouroi means: the twin brothers Castor and Polydeuces. The next line confirms it. All of these were gods whom sailors and initiates called saviors, and the hymn treats them as one company.
38.23
The Orphic Hymns 38.23 · Breathe on us, lords
They are also the heavenly twins, the Dioskouroi, who bring fair winds; the prayer asks them to breathe kindly on the crops.
· · ·
you who are called the heavenly twins too on Olympus, fair-breathing, bringing fair weather, saving and gentle; nourishers of the seasons, fruit-bearing lords, may you breathe on us.