Lately, I have been feeling the desire to not just read the hymns of antiquity, but to listen to them. I am not skilled in (ancient) Greek, but there is something about the soothing tones of the Homeric and Orphic hymns being sung or spoken. Today, I wanted to share with you a few of my favourites to be found on Youtube, and I am open to suggestions about yours!
Orphic hymn to Selene
Orphic Hymn to Apollon
Prayer to Zeus (by Arkhilokhos of Paros)
Orphic hymn to Athena
Homeric hymn to Artemis (modern English adaption)
Homeric hymn to Hermes
Homeric hymn to Zeus (#23)
Homeric Hymn to Asklēpiós
That one you have noted as "Orphic Hymn to Zeus" is not Orphic, it is a prayer/invocation of Zeus written by Arkhilokhos of Paros:
ReplyDeleteἘπίκλησις Διὸϛ
Ὦ Ζεῦ, πάτερ Ζεῦ, σὸν μὲν οὐρανοῦ κράτος.
Σὺ δ᾿ ἔργ᾿ ἐπ᾿ ἀνθρώπων ὁρᾷς, λεωργὰ καὶ θεμιστά.
Σοὶ δὲ θηρίων ὕβρις, τε καὶ δίκη μέλει.
- Ἀρχίλοχος ὁ Πάριος, π. 680-630 π.Κ.Ε.
Invocation of Zeús
Oh Zeus, father Zeus, Yours is the dominion of the Heavens (sky),
You look upon the deeds of men both the crafty and the right.
You care for the beasts' hubris (transgression) and justice.
- Arkhílokhos ho Pários, ca. 680-645 BCE.
@Jonathan Agathokles: You are absolutely correct. My mistake, entirely. I have edited the post to reflect this. Thank you very much!
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