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The Orphic Hymns
the Orphic tradition · Hymn 48, lines 5–6 · Ruler of Phrygia, most kingly of all
48.5
The Orphic Hymns 48.5 · Ruler of Phrygia, most kingly of all
The prayer: the ruler of Phrygia, most kingly of all, is asked to come as a helper to those who keep his mysteries.
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ἀλλά1
allá
But
μάκαρ2
mákar
blessed one
, μεδέων3
medéōn
ruler
Φρυγίης4
Phrygíēs
of Phrygia
, βασιλεύτατε5
basileútate
most kingly
πάντων6
pántōn
of all
, ἐπέλθοις7
epélthois
may you come
εὐμενέων8
eumenéōn
kindly
ἐπαρωγὸς9
eparōgòs
as a helper
μυστιπόλοισιν10
mystipóloisin
to those who perform the mysteries
. But, blessed one, ruler of Phrygia, most kingly of all, may you come kindly as a helper to those who perform the mysteries.
But, blessed one, ruler of Phrygia, most kingly of all, may you come kindly as a helper to those who perform the mysteries.
Interpretation
But, blessed one, ruler of Phrygia, most kingly of all, may you come kindly as a helper to those who perform your mysteries.
Both titles in the prayer are Homeric. In the Iliad Zeus is the god "ruling from Ida", Idēthen medeōn, the word used here for the "ruler" of Phrygia, and Nestor tells Agamemnon that he is basileutatos, "most kingly". The god is asked to come as a helper to the mystipoloi, those who perform his mysteries, which is to say the people singing the hymn.
49.1
The Orphic Hymns 49.1 · Hippa, nurse of Bacchus
Hippa, called Hipta in most modern editions, was the nurse of the infant Bacchus. She takes part in the rites of Sabos, that is Sabazios, and in the night dances of Iakchos.
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Of Hippa. Incense: storax. I call Hippa, nurse of Bacchus, Bacchic maiden, who performs the mysteries, delighting in the rites of holy Sabos and in the nightly dances of loud-thundering Iakchos.