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The Orphic Hymns
the Orphic tradition · Hymn 8, lines 11–14 · Father of time, eye of the world
8.11
The Orphic Hymns 8.11 · Father of time, eye of the world
A rush of titles: ruler, piper, healer, father of time, even Zeus. The Sun is the circling eye of the world.
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κοσμοκράτορ1
kosmokrátor
ruler of the world
, συρικτά2
syriktá
piperplayer of the panpipe
, πυρίδρομε3
pyrídrome
running a fiery course
, κυκλοέλικτε4
kykloélikte
circling round
, φωσφόρος5
phōsphóros
light-bringer
, αἰολόμικτε6
aiolómikte
many-huedof shimmering mixture
, φερέσβιε7
pherésbie
life-giving
, κάρπιμε8
kárpime
fruitful
, Παιάν9
Paián
PaianHealer
, ἀιθαλής10
aithalḗs
ever-flourishing
, ἀμίαντε11
amíante
undefiled
, πάτερ12
páter
father
χρόνου13
chrónou
of time
, ἀθάνατε14
athánate
immortal
Ζεῦ15
Zeû
Zeus
, εὔδιε16
eúdie
serene
, πασιφαές17
pasiphaés
shining on all
, τὸ18
tò
the
περίδρομον19
perídromon
circling
ὄμμα20
ómma
eye
κόσμου21
kósmou
of the world
, ruler of the world, piper, running a fiery course, circling round, light-bringer, many-hued, life-giving, fruitful, Paian, ever-flourishing, undefiled, father of time, immortal Zeus, serene, shining on all, the circling eye of the world,
ruler of the world, piper, running a fiery course, circling round, light-bringer, many-hued, life-giving, fruitful, Paian, ever-flourishing, undefiled, father of time, immortal Zeus, serene, shining on all, the circling eye of the world,
Interpretation
ruler of the world, piper, running a fiery course, circling round, light-bringer, many-hued, life-giving, fruitful, Paian, ever-flourishing, undefiled, father of time, immortal Zeus, serene, shining on all, the circling eye of the world,
The Sun is called Paian, the healer, a title of Apollo, and then, plainly, "immortal Zeus." In the centuries when these hymns were written many people saw the sun as the visible form of the highest god, and the hymn says so outright. "Father of time" suits a god whose daily course makes the days and whose yearly course makes the seasons. The hymn to Pan (11) will borrow several of these titles.
8.15
The Orphic Hymns 8.15 · Quenched and shining
The Sun goes out at evening and blazes again at dawn. He brings justice to light, loves running water, keeps faith, and helps everyone.
· · ·
quenched and shining with beautiful bright rays, revealer of justice, lover of streams, master of the world, guardian of truth, ever supreme, helper to all,