⸻ · ⸻
The Orphic Hymns
the Orphic tradition · Hymn 88, lines 4–5 · Father of Victory, ally of Right
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.
· · ·
πάτερ1
páter
father
εὐπολέμοιο2
eupolémoio
of warlikegood at war
Νίκης3
Níkēs
Victory
, συνάρωγε4
synárōge
ally
Θέμιστος5
Thémistos
of Themis
, τύραννε6
týranne
tyrantabsolute ruler
ἀντιβίοισι7
antibíoisi
to the enemy
, ἀγὲ8
agè
leader
δικαιοτάτων9
dikaiotátōn
of the most just
φωτῶν10
phōtôn
men
, father of warlike Victory, ally of Themis, tyrant to the enemy, leader of the most just men,
father of warlike Victory, ally of Themis, tyrant to the enemy, leader of the most just men,
Interpretation
father of Victory, who is good at war, ally of Themis, tyrant to your enemies, leader of the most just of men,
These titles make Ares a god of just war. He is the father of Victory, though in Hesiod Victory is the daughter of the Titan Pallas and of Styx, and he is the ally of Themis, the goddess of right whose hymn stands a few pages before. He leads "the most just men" and is a harsh master to those who stand against them. Tyrannos, "absolute ruler," is a word Homer never uses, one sign that the poem is probably late.
88.6
The Orphic Hymns 88.6 · The fiery orb among the seven planets
Ares is pictured as the planet Mars, driving his fiery orb through the sky among the seven wandering stars.
· · ·
scepter-bearer of courage, whirling your fire-bright orb among the seven-pathed signs of the sky, where fiery steeds always carry you above the third orbit;