⸻ · ⸻
The Orphic Hymns
the Orphic tradition · Hymn 88, lines 1–3 · Ares, bulwark of Olympus
⸻ · ⸻
Appendix · To Ares
ΕΙΣ ΑΡΕΑ
To Ares
88.1
The Orphic Hymns 88.1 · Ares, bulwark of Olympus
This is the Homeric Hymn to Ares, the eighth in the collection ascribed to Homer, which Hermann moved into the Orphic hymns and Abel printed here at the end while saying that it does not belong among them.
· · ·
ΕΙΣ1
eis
To
ΑΡΕΑ2
Área
Ares
. Ἆρες3
Âres
Ares
, ὑπερμενέτα4
hypermenéta
overmighty
, βρισάρματε5
brisármate
heavy on the chariotchariot-pressing
, χρυσεοπήληξ6
chryseopḗlēx
golden-helmed
, ὀβριμόθυμε7
obrimóthyme
strong of spirit
, φέρασπι8
phéraspi
shield-bearer
, πολισσόε9
polissóe
guardian of citiescity-saving
, χαλκοκορυστά10
chalkokorystá
armed in bronze
, καρτερόχειρ11
karterócheir
strong of hand
, ἀμόγητε12
amógēte
tireless
, δορισθενές13
doristhenés
mighty with the spear
, ἕρκος14
hérkos
bulwarkfence, wall
Ὀλύμπου15
Olýmpou
of Olympus
, To Ares. Ares, overmighty, heavy on the chariot, golden-helmed, strong of spirit, shield-bearer, guardian of cities, armed in bronze, strong of hand, tireless, mighty with the spear, bulwark of Olympus,
To Ares. Ares, overmighty, heavy on the chariot, golden-helmed, strong of spirit, shield-bearer, guardian of cities, armed in bronze, strong of hand, tireless, mighty with the spear, bulwark of Olympus,
Interpretation
To Ares. Ares, overmighty, heavy on the chariot, golden-helmed, strong of spirit, shield-bearer, guardian of cities, armed in bronze, strong of hand, tireless, mighty with the spear, bulwark of Olympus,
The hymn opens with eleven titles in three lines, in the manner of the Orphic hymns. Many of them are old: obrimothymos, "strong of spirit," is the very word the address to Musaeus gave Ares, and chalkokorystēs, "armed in bronze," is Homer's. Yet the god praised here is a respectable one, a guardian of cities and the "bulwark of Olympus." In the Iliad Zeus tells Ares to his face that of all the gods on Olympus he is the most hateful to him.
88.4
The Orphic Hymns 88.4 · Father of Victory, ally of Right
Ares is called the father of Victory, the helper of Themis, and the leader of just men.
· · ·
father of warlike Victory, ally of Themis, tyrant to the enemy, leader of the most just men,