⸻ · ⸻
The Orphic Hymns
the Orphic tradition · Hymn 38, lines 4–7 · You first gave mortals the rite
38.4
The Orphic Hymns 38.4 · You first gave mortals the rite
They live on Samothrace, protect people at sea, and were the first to establish the mysteries.
· · ·
οἵτε1
hoíte
you who
ναιετάοντες2
naietáontes
dwelling in
Σαμοθρῄκην3
Samothrḗikēn
Samothrace
, ἱερὴν4
hierḕn
the holy
χθόνα5
chthóna
land
, ἀπερύκετε6
aperýkete
ward off
the
κινδύνους7
kindýnous
dangers
ποντοπλανήτων8
pontoplanḗtōn
of sea-roaming
θνητῶν9
thnētôn
mortals
; ὑμεῖς10
hymeîs
you
καὶ11
kaì
also
πρῶτοι12
prôtoi
first
ἔθεσθε13
éthesthe
established
τελετὴν14
teletḕn
the riteinitiation
μερόπεσσιν15
merópessin
for mortalsarticulate-voiced
, ἀθάνατοι16
athánatoi
immortal
Κουρῆτες17
Kourêtes
Kouretes
, ἔχοντες18
échontes
bearinghaving
τεύχεʼ19
teúche’
the arms
Ἀρήια20
Arḗia
of Ares
; you who, dwelling in Samothrace, the holy land, ward off the dangers of sea-roaming mortals; you also first established the rite for mortals, immortal Kouretes, bearing the arms of Ares;
you who, dwelling in Samothrace, the holy land, ward off the dangers of sea-roaming mortals; you also first established the rite for mortals, immortal Kouretes, bearing the arms of Ares;
Interpretation
you who dwell on Samothrace, the holy land, and ward off dangers from mortals who wander the sea; you were also the first to establish the rite for mortals, immortal Kouretes, bearing the arms of Ares;
Samothrace, a small mountainous island in the northern Aegean, had one of the most famous mystery cults of the Greek world, the rites of the Great Gods. Initiation there was believed to protect people at sea, and the hymn makes the Kouretes the gods of those rites, the first to "establish the rite for mortals." Ancient writers often confused or merged the Kouretes, the Korybantes, the Kabeiroi and the Great Gods of Samothrace, and this hymn joins them openly.
38.8
The Orphic Hymns 38.8 · The earth rings under your feet
Their dance becomes a storm that drives the sea and sways the trees.
· · ·
You sway Ocean, you sway the sea, and the trees likewise; as you come, you ring the earth with light feet, flashing with your weapons; and all the wild beasts cower as you rush on, and the din and the shout reach up to the sky,