Product Description

The tales told of Orpheus are legion. He is said to have been an Argonaut--and to have saved Jason's life. Rivers are reported to have stopped their flow to listen to the sounds of his lyre and his voice. Plato cites his poetry and Herodotus refers to "practices that are called Orphic." Did Orpheus, in fact, exist? His influence on Greek thought is undeniable, but his disciples left little of substance behind them. Indeed, their Orphic precepts have been lost to time.

W.K.C. Guthrie attempts to uncover and define Orphism by following its circuitous path through ancient history. He tackles this daunting task with the determination of a detective and the analytical rigor of a classical scholar. He ferries his readers with him on a singular voyage of discovery.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #199360 in Books
• Published on: 1993-09-20
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 352 pages

Review
[T]he books ascribed to Hermes ... fall into two divisions, the technical and the philosophical, which Fowden treats separately... [His] scholarly survery makes an excellent foundation for further study of points of detail and of paganism in general. Shadow

Review
Absolutely indispensable. . . . written for both scholars and general readers. It is admirably lucid and well-organized, and is fully accessible--indeed, fascinating--for anyone interested in the ancient world.
(David Ulansey, Boston University )

From the Back Cover

"Absolutely indispensable. . . . written for both scholars and general readers. It is admirably lucid and well-organized, and is fully accessible--indeed, fascinating--for anyone interested in the ancient world."--David Ulansey, Boston University

Customer Reviews

Orphism was first and foremost a literature
Guthrie's tentative exploration of one of the most influential mysteries of the Ancient World, together with Eleusis, is very revealing.

The author situates the origin of Orphism with a Thracean hero/singer who was adopted as founder/teacher by mystical sects and whose songs became sacred texts. Although this sects contained only a small group of devotees, some aspects of their philosophical message were taken over by Plato and influenced indirectly Christian belief.

Like many other religions, Orphism's basis was man's aspiration of immortality.
The sacred texts included dogmas and precepts. Dogmas were a belief in a god as a creator and supreme ruler of the universe, man's original sin, a belief that purity of life and observance of the rites would be rewarded by perfect divinity (immortality) eventually after a cycle of rebirths and that punishment awaited the uninitiated and impure.
The precepts were directed towards eradication of sin through ascetism and prohibitions (e.g. meat-eating).
Life was considered as a period of trial and a practise for death. It was seen as a punishment for the soul for previous sins, wherefore the soul was fettered to a body. The body was seen as a source of evil.
Other important characteristics were the emphasis on free will and personal responsibility as well as misogynism.
Each individual had a divine part and a part prone to sin. He had to make a choice between them.

Guthrie explains clearly the crucial differences with Christianism. Orphism excluded the possibility of the resurrection of the body. It had no social ethic. It was selfish for one could save only his own soul.
He also shows the difference with the Eleusian Mysteries. The latter were only a ritual, whereas Orphism was a way of life.

This is a very rich book which treats also other important aspects of religion (e.g. syncretism).
It contains excellent illustrations and a very interesting introduction by Larry J. Alderink.
This book is an essential read for the understanding of a very influential Ancient Mystery.