Orphic Argonautica

TheOrphic ArgonauticaorArgonautica Orphica(Greek:Ὀρφέως Ἀργοναυτικά) is aGreekepic poemdating from the 4th century CE.It is narrated in the first person in the name ofOrpheusand tells the story ofJasonand theArgonauts.It is not known who the real author is. The poem is found in manuscripts either on its own or together with theOrphic Hymnsand other hymns such as theHomeric Hymnsand those ofProclusandCallimachus.The poem was lost, but in the fifteenth century it was found and copied in a manuscript (Codex Matritensis gr. 4562) by the Neoplatonic Greek scholarConstantine Lascaris,who is considered a Pythagorean Orpheus.Another related work is theLithica(describing the properties and symbolism of different stones).

The narrative is basically similar to that in other versions of the story, such as theArgonauticaofApollonius Rhodius,on which it is probably based. The main differences are the emphasis on the role of Orpheus and a more mythological, less realistic technique of narration. In theArgonautica Orphica,unlike in Apollonius Rhodius, it is claimed that theArgowas the first ship ever built.

Translations and editions

• Les argonautiques orphiques,ed. Francis Vian (Collection des universités de France), Belles Lettres 2003,ISBN2-251-00389-4,ISBN978-2-251-00389-4(Greek with French translation)
• Johann Matthias Gesner,Orphic ArgonauticainArgonautica, Hymni Libellus de lapidibus et fragmenta cum notis,Leipzig, Sumtibus Caspari Fritsch, 1764.Internet Archive.(Greek text with Latin translation)

References

• Meisner, Dwayne A.,Orphic Tradition and the Birth of the Gods,Oxford University Press,2018.ISBN978-0-190-66352-0.Online version at Oxford University Press.Google Books.
• West, M. L.(1983),The Orphic Poems,Clarendon PressOxford, 1983.ISBN978-0-19-814854-8.pp. 37–38.

Further reading

• Carvalho Abrantes, Miguel (2016)."As Argonáuticas órficas e sua possível ligação às Argonáuticas de Apolónio de Rodes".Boletim de Estudos Clássicos(61). Universidade de Coimbra: 37–51.doi:10.14195/2183-7260_61_2.(about the connection between this Argonautica and Apollonius')

External links

• GreekWikisourcehas original text related to this article:Ὀρφέως Ἀργοναυτικά
• Orphic Argonautica— English translation byJason Colavito.