The Orphic Hymns

by Pseudo Orpheus, Robert Kastner (Preface), Thomas Taylor (Translator)

The Orphic Hymns are a collection of 87 short poems, composed sometime between the late Hellenistic and early Roman Imperial age (100 BC - 200 CE). They are written in hexameters, the standard epic meter for classical Latin and Greek literature, for example the Iliad, Aeneid and the Odyssey. The Orphic Hymns are attributed to Orpheus, a legendary Greek musician, prophet and the founder of the Orphic Mysteries.

155 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 21, 2021

Reviews

[Angharad · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Thomas Taylor translations of the Orphic Hymns are lyrical, rhyme, and could and have been set to music. Many theories suggest that the Orphic Hymns would have been set to music for ritual purposes, and Taylor's translation is the easiest in the English language to sing, chant, or memorize. Taylor's versions are not the most literally faithful to the original texts, that honor goes to The Orphic Hymns translation by Apostolos N. Athanassakis

Reading the Orphic Hymns is HIGHLY worthwhile to any student of Greek Mythology, ancient religions (especially in Egypt, Rome, Anatolia, and the Greek isles), or mysticism/occultism. They are beautiful works of religious art, composed at various times to praise many of the deathless gods of Olympus, as well as some of the Titans, figures from related religions (like Isis, Serapis, and Sabazios), and minor figures like the Nymphs, Dryads, and Fates who were not necessarily worshipped on their own. The Orphic Hymns are a primary source of information on Ancient Greek religion, worthy of a spotlight on any shelf.