
Contents
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3.1. Orpheus, Orphic poems, and Orphism 3.1. Orpheus, Orphic poems, and Orphism
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3.2. Orphic Theogony in the Derveni Papyrus 3.2. Orphic Theogony in the Derveni Papyrus
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3.3. The Secret Story of Gods (col. VII) 3.3. The Secret Story of Gods (col. VII)
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3.4. Night, Kronos, and Zeus’ Assumption of Power (col. VIII–XIII) 3.4. Night, Kronos, and Zeus’ Assumption of Power (col. VIII–XIII)
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3.5. Castration of the Father (col. XIII) 3.5. Castration of the Father (col. XIII)
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3.6. The Phallus and the Sun (col. XIV) 3.6. The Phallus and the Sun (col. XIV)
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3.7. Zeus Ruling All (col. XV–XVI) 3.7. Zeus Ruling All (col. XV–XVI)
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3.8. Zeus, the Cosmic God (col. XVI–XIX) 3.8. Zeus, the Cosmic God (col. XVI–XIX)
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3.9. Mother Rhea, Aphrodite, and Other Goddesses (col. XXI–XXII) 3.9. Mother Rhea, Aphrodite, and Other Goddesses (col. XXI–XXII)
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3.10. Shaping the World (col. XXIII–XXV) 3.10. Shaping the World (col. XXIII–XXV)
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3.11. The Final Union (col. XXVI) 3.11. The Final Union (col. XXVI)
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3.12. Conclusions about the Orphic Poem 3.12. Conclusions about the Orphic Poem
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Cite
Abstract
The chapter analyses the Orphic poem which the Derveni author comments upon, a verse after a verse, from column VII on. First, it introduces Orpheus, Orphic mysteries and most notably early Orphic poems. Then an overview of all the lines and fragment of verses is given, after which their detailed analysis is provided. The Orphic poem from the Derveni papyrus follows closely Hesiod’s Theogony, but differs from it in some significant points. In the reconstruction provided, Ouranos is castrated by Kronos who ‘swallows his phallus’, symbolizing the generative power and rule over the world. Moreover, it is argued that the phallus is identified with the Sun. It is then taken over by Zeus who becomes one with other beings, shaping the whole world and becoming the cosmic god. He secures the exclusivity of his rule by uniting with his mother, thus overturning the regular relations between the divine generations.
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