⸻ · ⸻
The Orphic Hymns
the Orphic tradition · Hymn 39, lines 6–8 · Killed by two brothers, changed into a serpent
39.6
The Orphic Hymns 39.6 · Killed by two brothers, changed into a serpent
Two myths in three lines. Korybas was killed by his two brothers, and by the will of Deo, that is Demeter, his holy body took the form of a dark serpent.
· · ·
φοίνιον1
phoínion
blood-red
, αἱμαχθέντα2
haimachthénta
bloodied
ὑπὸ3
hypò
by
δισσῶν4
dissôn
two
κασιγνήτων5
kasignḗtōn
brothers
, ὃς6
hòs
you who
ἐνήλλαξας7
enḗllaxas
changed
your
ἁγνόν8
hagnón
holy
δέμας9
démas
body
γνώμῃσιν10
gnṓmēisin
by the willby the counsels
Δηοῦς11
Dēoûs
of Deo
, θέμενος12
thémenos
taking onputting on yourself
θηρότυπον13
thērótypon
the beast-shaped
μορφὴν14
morphḕn
form
δνοφεροῖο15
dnopheroîo
of a dark
δράκοντος16
drákontos
serpent
; blood-red, bloodied by two brothers, you who changed your holy body by the will of Deo, taking on the beast-shaped form of a dark serpent;
blood-red, bloodied by two brothers, you who changed your holy body by the will of Deo, taking on the beast-shaped form of a dark serpent;
Interpretation
red with blood, bloodied by your two brothers; you who by the will of Deo changed your holy body, taking on the beast-like form of a dark serpent;
Clement of Alexandria, a Christian writer of about AD 200, describes the secret rites of the Korybantes and tells their story: two brothers killed the third. That is the "blood-red" god of this line, a god who died by violence. The second story is obscure. The Greek most naturally says that Korybas, at the will of Deo, changed his own holy body into the form of a dark serpent, but it can also be read as his changing the body of Deo herself. Snakes belonged to the earth and to the dead in Greek religion, and they appear again and again in the mysteries.
39.9
The Orphic Hymns 39.9 · Stop the visions of a frightened soul
The prayer: hear us, put away your anger, and stop the visions that torment a soul struck with terror.
· · ·
hear our voices, blessed one, and send away your harsh anger, stopping the visions of a terror-stricken, unclean soul.