Orphica collection

The founder of the Orphic doctrine was Orpheus the Thracian, a figure placed chronologically before Homer but whose historicity is strongly disputed, even since antiquity.

The poets of Orphism were usually initiates or priests of the Orphic movement. Moreover, as they tended to take the name of their leader, Orpheus, there are many Orpheuses to whom the authorship of the Orphic texts is attributed.

The series “Orphica” includes 4 volumes:

Volume 1: Argonautica, Hymns

Volume 2: Lithica, Lithica Sermons, “Those of the Stones in Repose of Turmoil and Sea Storms”, Testimonies about Orpheus and the Orphics

Volume 3: Fragments of Older Works, The Rape of Persephone, Hieronymus and Hellanicus’ Theogony, Sacred Words in 24 Rhapsodies

Volume 4: Fragments. Bacchica, Wills or Palinodia, Astrological, Astronomy, Sand Divination, Net, Epigrams, Matronal Enthronements, Sacrificial, Egyptian Sacred Word, Hierostolica, Purifications, Descent to Hades, Protective, Cosmic Invocations, Corybantic, Krater, Smaller Krater, Neoteric, Nominal, Oaths, Veil, Sphere, Soteriology, Rites, Triagmi, Hymns, Hymn to the Number, Physical, About Plants, Herbs and Medicine, Oracles, Ovothetic or Ovoscopic.

Each volume includes an introduction and commentary, the original ancient text, and its translation into modern Greek.