⸻ · ⸻
The Orphic Hymns
the Orphic tradition · Hymn 7, lines 12–13 · Come to the learned contests of the rite
7.12
The Orphic Hymns 7.12 · Come to the learned contests of the rite
The request: let the stars come to the holy rite and run their noble course.
· · ·
ἔλθετʼ1
élthet’
come
ἐπʼ2
ep’
to
πολυΐστορας3
polyí̈storas
the learnedknowing much
ἄθλους4
áthlous
contests
εὐιέρου5
euiérou
of the holy
τελετῆς6
teletês
rite
, ἐκτελέοντες7
ekteléontes
completing
ἐσθλὸν8
esthlòn
a noble
δρόμον9
drómon
course
ἐπʼ10
ep’
for
εὐδόξοις11
eudóxois
glorious
ἔργοις12
érgois
works
. come to the learned contests of the holy rite, completing a noble course for glorious works.
come to the learned contests of the holy rite, completing a noble course for glorious works.
Interpretation
come to the learned contests of the holy rite, completing a noble course for glorious works.
The closing lines borrow their words from the games. Athloi are contests, dromos is both a race and a racecourse, and the stars are asked to finish their course well, like runners. What the "learned contests" of the rite were is not known. They may have been the tasks or trials of the ceremony, or contests in singing hymns like these, and polyhistōr, "knowing much," suggests that learning was part of the rite.
8.1
The Orphic Hymns 8.1 · Hear, blessed one, with your all-seeing eye
The Sun is called on first by his all-seeing eye and by his old names, Titan and Hyperion.
· · ·
Of the Sun. Incense: frankincense powder. Hear, blessed one, you who have the eternal, all-seeing eye, gold-gleaming Titan, Hyperion, heavenly light, self-born, untiring, sweet sight to living things,