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The Orphic Hymns
the Orphic tradition · Hymn 5, lines 1–3 · The high-roofed might of Zeus
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Hymn 5 · Aether, the upper air
ΑΙΘΕΡΟΣ, θυμίαμα κρόκον
Of Aether · incense: saffron
5.1
The Orphic Hymns 5.1 · The high-roofed might of Zeus
Aether is the bright, burning air high above the clouds, where the stars shine. The hymn calls it the might of Zeus, the prop that holds up the stars, the sun and the moon.
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ΑΙΘΕΡΟΣ1
Aithéros
Of Aetherthe upper air
. θυμίαμα2
thymíama
Incense
κρόκον3
krókon
saffron
. Ὦ4
Ô
O
you
ἔχων5
échōn
who hold
ὑψιμέλαθρον6
hypsimélathron
the high-roofedwith lofty roof-beams
κράτος7
krátos
might
Διὸς8
Diòs
of Zeus
, αἰὲν9
aièn
ever
ἀτειρές10
ateirés
unwearied
, ὑπέρεισμα11
hypéreisma
propunder-prop
ἄστρων12
ástrōn
of the stars
τε13
te
and
ἠελίου14
ēelíou
the sun
θʼ15
th’
and
σεληναίης16
selēnaíēs
the moon
, πανδαμάτορ17
pandamátor
tamer of all
, πυρίπνους18
pyrípnous
fire-breathing
, ἔναυσμα19
énausma
spark
πᾶσι20
pâsi
for all
ζωοῖσιν21
zōoîsin
living things
, Of Aether. Incense: saffron. O you who hold the high-roofed might of Zeus, ever unwearied, prop of the stars and the sun and the moon, tamer of all, fire-breathing, spark for all living things,
Of Aether. Incense: saffron. O you who hold the high-roofed might of Zeus, ever unwearied, prop of the stars and the sun and the moon, tamer of all, fire-breathing, spark for all living things,
Interpretation
Of Aether. Incense: saffron. O you who hold the high-roofed might of Zeus, never worn out, prop of the stars and the sun and the moon, tamer of all, fire-breathing, spark of life for every living thing,
Greek has two words for air. Aēr is the thick, misty air close to the ground, and aithēr is the clear, shining air of the heights; the word is related to aithō, "blaze." In Homer Zeus is the god who "dwells in the aether," and the hymn opens by calling the aether his might. Some philosophers made it the stuff the stars are made of. Here it holds them up and gives the spark of life to every living thing.
5.4
The Orphic Hymns 5.4 · Best element of the world
Aether is named the finest of the elements the world is made of. The prayer asks it to stay mild and calm.
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high-shining Aether, the best element of the world, O bright offspring, bringer of light, starlit, calling on you, I pray you to be tempered and calm.