In the following video, you can listen to the Orphic hymn dedicated to Goddess Artemis,sung in ancient Greek. This wonderful piece of Hellenic Religious Tradition includes the many epithets to describe the maiden Goddess. Below the video there is an English translation of the lyrics in English.
Performance/ Music : Dimitris Erateinos
Hear me, oh, Queen, many- named daughter of Zeus, Titanis, Bacchic, renowned, Archeress, exalted, shining on all, torch-bearer, Goddess Diktynna, Protectress of childbirth, You aid in a woman's travail while never having Yourself the pain of childbirth, freeing women from maidenhood, inspiring zeal, Huntress, driving cares away, youthful Runner, Shooter of arrows, Huntress, You roam through the night, Keeper of the chapel, gracious One, Liberator, manly One, You wail in your revels, bestowing quick childbirth, You foster the fledgling mortals, fond of the chase, Earthy, Slayer of wild beasts, Blessed, You dwell in the mountains and forests, Hunter of deer, revered, Mistress, Queen of all, Beautiful scion forever to be, haunting the forests, Protectress of dogs, Kydohnian, many-shaped,come, Goddess Deliverer, Beloved One, to all your mystics. Be accessible, bring us the splendid fruits of the earth, lovely peace, beautiful locks of hair and health; Drive away disease and pain to the mountains.
Postage stamps, apart from their original purpose, have always been a way of promoting art, history and nature. The Gods of the Hellenic Pantheon have very often been honoured through stamps, not only in Greece, but in many other countries as well.
The statue of Olympios Zeus, work of Pheidias.
Greek stamp with Goddess Hera.
Postage stamp from Uruguay, which depicts Cleio, the Muse of History.
Greek stamp with Goddess Athena and Pegasus. Athena is called 'Chalinitis' ( She who holds the reins) in this depiction.
Australian stamp with sea Goddess Amphitrite, the Divine wife of Poseidon.
Algerian stamp with God Poseidon.
Greek stamp with the Nine Muses.
Zeus is referred to here as the Supreme God, ruler of lightning and thunder.
Goddess Hestia on a Greek stamp.
French stamp. Goddess Artemis is resting after the hunt.
Turkish stamp, with river-God Acheloos.
Postage stamp from Bhutan.
Greek stamp ( circa 1955 ) which commemorates the journeys of Dionysus.
Another Greek stamp dedicated to God Dionysus and the 2,500 years of theatre.
French stamp with Goddess Aphrodite.
Greek stamp with God Ares.
Stamp of Monaco. Heracles fights the horses of Diomedes.
Greek stamp with Goddess Demeter.
German stamp with Eros and Psyche.
Greek stamp with God Helios.
Algerian postage stamp with God Apollo.
Austrian stamp with God Hermes.
Greek postage stamp. The phrase below the picture means 'Theocracy of Zeus'.
The following video demonstrates the Orphic Hymn to Goddess Athena. The hymn is recited in the original ancient Greek text.
The English translation is as follows , by Thomas Taylor :
Only- begotten, noble race of Jove,
Blessed and fierce, who joyest in caves to rove; Oh, warlike Pallas, whose illustrious kind, ineffable and effable we find: Magnanimous and famed, the rocky height, and groves, and shady mountains Thee delight ; In arms rejoicing, who with Furies dire and wild, the souls of mortals dost inspire. Gymnastic Virgin of terrific mind,Dire Gorgon's bane, unmarried, blessed, kind, Mother of Arts, impetuous; understood, Rage to the wicked, Wisdom to the good :
Female and male, the Arts of War are Thine, Fanatic, much-formed Dragoness, Divine :Over the Phlegrean giants, roused to ire, Thy coursers driving , with destruction dire. Sprung from the head of Jove, of splendid mien, Purger of evils, all-victorious Queen. Hear me, Oh Goddess, when to Thee I pray, with supplicating voice both night and day , and in my latest hour, give peace and health, propitious times, and necessary wealth, and, ever-present, be thy votaries aid, Oh, much implored, Art's Parent, blue-eyed Maid.
One of the best preserved temples of Zeus is located in Eastern Anatolia, in the area of Aizanoi in Kutahya. In antiquity, the Greek city of Aizanoi thrived there and in later times it was occupied by the Romans. In the 2nd century A.C.E., the Roman emperor Hadrian commissioned the building of this majestic religious sanctuary.
The temple is built upon a podium with many steps. Originally,it was surrounded on all sides by ionic columns, creating a kind of porch called 'peristasis', which served for ceremonial processions. The peristasis consisted of 15 columns along the length of the building and 8 columns along its width- nowadays, only the columns of the northern and western sides remain standing. The podium on which the temple stands measures 33x37 meters. The influences of Greek architecture are clearly seen both in the design of the building and its decorations.
This imposing building was the most important religious center of the region, and it honoured two deities- Zeus was worshipped in the section above ground, and the underground part was dedicated to Cybele.
During the 13th century A.C.E., the Tatars added battle scenes on the walls of the structure. However, neither these additions nor time have managed to reduce the splendour of the Temple, which stands as a monument to Zeus, the Ruler of Gods and mortals.
The coins of the ancient Greek colony of Syracuse are amongst the most elegant types of currency in antiquity. The female image on them is the water Nymph Arethusa. The river-God Alpheios became her suitor, but Arethusa was not willing to give in- so,she turned to Goddess Artemis for help. Artemis turned the Nymph into an underground water stream,which emerged as a spring in the island of Ortygia, the future site of Syracuse. On the coins, the lovely image of Arethusa is surrounded by dolphins, which were very common in the Sicilian waters during the classical Ages.
The seventh day of the ancient Greek week was called Hμέρα Κρόνου. It was dedicated to Cronos, a Titan who fathered Zeus, Demeter, Hestia, Hera, Hades and Poseidon. He ruled the world during the Golden Age, where people had reached their finest potential. Cronos was determined to maintain power, so he had devoured all his children his wife Rhea had given him, apart from Zeus. His mother rescued Him and hid Him to the island of Crete, from where He emerged powerful enough to dethrone His Titan Father and bring His siblings back to the world. Cronos represents time, and all the changes, positive and negative that it brings about. In Latin, it was called 'dies Saturni'- day of Saturn. In Middle English, it was called 'Saterday',after the same Roman God.
In Ancient Greece, the sixth day of the week - Ημέρα Αφροδίτης- was dedicated to one of the most beloved Goddesses in human history- Aphrodite. Goddess of love and femininity, Aphrodite represents the most noble of emotions, not only in terms of carnal pleasure, as most people think, but also in terms of the highest spiritual love. In Latin, the day was called 'dies Veneris'- day of Venus. In Middle English, it was called 'Fridai', after the Teutonic Goddess Freya, who is the Goddess of love, beauty and procreation.
The Father and Leader of the Greek Gods, had His own day of the week. This fifth day was called Ημέρα Διός. Zeus is probably the most famous of the Hellenic Pantheon. He delivers justice, He is the Bringer of storms and the Ruler of the Winds. In Latin, the day was called 'dies Jovis'- the day of Jupiter. In Middle English, it was called 'Thor's Day', after the Norse God of thunder.
Hermes, the Messenger of the Gods, was greatly honoured in Ancient Greece. Apart from being the mediator between Gods and mortals, he is a Psychopomp and the Protector of commerce. He is the One who offers abundance and prosperity and He looks after travellers and shepherds. The fourth day of the week- Ημέρα Ερμού- was dedicated to Him. In Latin, this day was called 'dies Mercurii'- Day of Mercury. In Middle English, it was called 'Wodnesday', after the Anglosaxon/Teutonic God Woden.
Ancient Greeks had dedicated the third day of the week - Ημέρα Άρεως- to God Ares. Ares is the God of war and insatiable battle, son of Zeus and Hera. Warfare had always been important in Ancient Greece, therefore it was normal for a day to be dedicated to the Immortal Warlord Ares. In Latin, this day was called 'dies Martis'- the Day of Mars, the Roman God of War, who is basically Ares himself. In Middle English, this day had the -familiar- name of 'Tewesday',after the English / Germanic war God Twia.
As we mentioned in the first part of this series of articles, the Ancient Greeks referred to the days of the week as 'Ημέρες Θεών' - Days of the Gods. Modern-day Monday was called Day of Selene (Ημέρα Σελήνης ). Selene is an ancient lunar Goddess, which became identified with Goddess Artemis. Artemis is the twin Sister of Apollo- as He governs the Sun, She governs the Moon. Artemis is a Protector of forests, Goddess of hunting, and at the same time, she protects women and children. The moon has always been associated with the female energy, and Artemis ,as a major Feminine force, is its Goddess. In Latin, the day was called the same- 'dies lunae ' ( day of the moon) and Old English kept the same meaning in 'mon ( an ) doeg'.
According to the Orphic Theogony, Phanes is one of the names of the creative principle of the Universe,personification of the Creator Eros. Phanes is a primal Deity- that's why in Greek He is called Protogonos. He came forth out of the Cosmic Egg, which Nyx ( Night) had given birth to. In the 'Orphic Rhapsodies', it is mentioned that Chronos ( Time ) is the cause of all things and the Creator of Phanes' Cosmic Egg. The following is the Oprhic Hymn to Phanes, translated inEnglish:
Mist clears, day dawns, the First day dawns,
breaking dim and Universal Light. Orpheus sings and singing brings us light.Across the Sky the great and golden Egg hangs like an oblong Sun about to burst, cracking amidst the horizons of those Immortal Beings, of Living Gods the First, the Archetypes, as yet unseen, unknown, that are to come. The high-pitched shuddering song through nothingness resounds, Primeval Word, Creation at the beginning of all worlds.
First-born of time and space Protogonos, only Begetter Begotten on Himself; double-sexed, a living X, a cross whose meeting point is undivided, wealth of proposition and increase. Phanes-Ericapeus, All-Powerful, Ineffable, Occult, Winged Glory , through the world You fly. Increase of joy and wonder, pierce the very vault of of darkest Heaven with flashing pinions formed of glittering sapphire and of gold interleaved with spangles of the Stars and whirling circles of universal fire.Priapus, dark-eyed splendour , Thee I sing , Bountiful, Unwearying Potent King.
Invincible, Prime Unity, The One; Good in Himself; Spawning nothing but good; the very Spirit and Image of the Great God. Sole breeding Ruler of eternity, Lord, Quintessence of infinity; of Ether and of Chaos father-mother according to Pythagoras himself. How could that One unfold, make two, divide? become corruptible, and multiply, break down? First of the Secret Genera of the Divine, says Syrianus. Called by Orpheus, on the authority of Proclus, Tender Love.
The Second King is Night; the Third is Heaven; Saturnus is the Fourth and Fifth Lord Zeus, Ruler of His Father; Dionysos Sixth in due progression of the royal line, emanations from the Original Divine. All these Kings, these intellectual Gods, are born into the world when it is made upon the breaking of the Golden Egg, when Great Lord Phanes, Beautiful, comes forth giving birth to everything that lives.
On Earth is Heaven found; and in the Sky another Earth , the wise Egyptian taught. Each in each is bound; and by and by returns to its beginning at the end ,when universal destructions rend the plurality of whirling matter. Phanes lives forever, can never die, we men are made Immortal by His Love, men and women glorified, here below as there above, just as before the cracking of the Egg.
Hymn to Nemesis - by Mesomedes of Crete 2nd century A.D. Nemesis, winged balancer of life, dark-faced goddess, daughter of Justice, who, with your unbending bridle, dominate the vain arrogance of men and, loathing man's fatal vanity, obliterate black envy; beneath your wheel unstable and leaving no imprint, the fate of men is tossed; you who come unnoticed, in an instant, to subdue the insolent head. You measure life with your hand, and with frowning brows, hold the yoke. We glorify you, Nemesis, immortal goddess, Victory of the unfurled wings, powerful, infallible, who shares the altar of justice and, furious at human pride, casts man into the abyss of Tartarus! Némesi pteróessa víou ropá, kyanópi theá, thýgater Díkas á koúfa fryágmata thnatón epécheis adámanti chalinó, échthousa d 'ývrin oloán vrotón mélana fthónon ektós elávneis. ypó són trochón ástaton astiví charopá merópon stréfetai týcha, líthousa dé pár póda vaíneis, gavroúmenon afchéna klíneis. ypó píchyn aeí víoton metreís, néveis d '† ypó kólpon ofrýn aeí † zygón metá cheíra kratoúsa. ílathi mákaira dikaspóle Némesi pteróessa víou ropá. Némesin theón ádomen áfthiton, Níkin tanysípteron omvríman nimertéa kaí páredron Díkas, á tán megalanorían vrotón
The Ancient Greeks called the weekdays ' Days of the Gods.' They named each day after the Sun ,the Moon, and five of the Gods. Romans imitated them, and Germans also kept to the same path ,by naming their days after their own gods. This tradition has been maintained until today in most Western countries, with some exceptions who follow the numbered naming of days, such as modern-day Greece and Portugal. In these countries, the names of the weekdays have been changed, after the establishment of the christian religion. However, a large number of nations worldwide have named their days after the names of planets, which of course are the names of the Hellenic Gods.
In Greece, Sunday- Ημέρα Ηλίου-was named after the Sun, which was linked to Apollo. Apollo is the God of Light and Sun, the One who brings forth inspiration, warmth and life. In Latin, the day was called 'dies solis'- the day of the Sun. In Middle English, it was called 'Sone(n)day', with the same meaning respectively.
You are the father of the Snow flake with your rose chariot and its flying horses that you ride, happy with your golden hair, to the reaches of Space. Your rotating rays the source of enlightment moving around the whole Earth, rivers of undying fire give birth to lovely Day For you the Stars are dancing to the King of Olympus eternally singing joyous songs along with the Lyre of Phebos (Apollon) And the gray Selene (Moon) beneath you rules the counting of Time with her chariot,drawn by white bulls. And your benevolent Mind feels satisfaction as it pass the beautiful Cosmos. (world) Hionovlefarou pater aous rothoessan os antiwa polon ptanish eep ihnesin theokis hryseasin awallomenos comes peri noton aperiton ouranou aktina polystrofon amblekon awlas polytherkea pagan peri Gaian apasan elisson potamoi the sethen pyros amvrotou tiktousin epiraton ameran Ci men horos evdios asteron kat Olympou Anakta horevin aneton melos aein aeidon Phoebedi terpomenos Lyre Wlafka the paroithe Selana chronon orion ayemonevi lefkon ypo syrmasi moschon ganyte de te soi noos evmenis polyemona cosmon elisson.
The Ancient Greeks measured the passage of years through the Olympic Games- one of the most important events throughout the ancient civilized world. Zeus, the Father and Leader of the Gods,was greatly honoured during the Games. This event which brought truce in the midst of warfare and celebrated the human body, was so significant that it marked the passing of time ,up until the establishment of christianity. So, in the Spirit of the Hellenic Religious Tradition, we wish you a Happy New Year!
One of the most beautiful Orphic Hymns is the one dedicated to the Stars.
English translation ( by THomas Taylor ) :
With holy voice I call the Stars on high, pure sacred Lights and genii of the Sky. Celestial Stars ,the Progeny of Nyx, in whirling circles beaming far Your light, refulgent rays around the Heavens You throw, eternal fires, the Source of all below. With flames significant of Fate You shine, and aptly rule for men a path divine. In seven bright zones You run with wandering flames, and heaven and earth compose Your lucid frames; with course unwearied, pure and fiery bright, forever shining through the veil of Night. Hail, twinkling,joyful, ever-wakeful fires! Propitious shine on all my just desires; these sacred rites regard with conscious rays, and end our works devoted to your praise.
Les muses sont les filles que Zeus a eu avec Mnémosyne, la déesse de la mémoire.
Calliope, Muse de l’éloquence et de la poésie épique. Clio, Muse de l’histoire. Erato, Muse de l’art lyrique et de la poésie. Euterpe, Muse de la musique. Melpomène, Muse de la tragédie. Polymnie, Muse de la rhétorique. Terpsichore, Muse de la danse. Thalie, Muse de la comédie. Uranie, Muse de l’astronomie (et de l’astrologie).
Calliope is the First of the Nine Muses. She is the protector of epic poetry and rhetoric, and of all the fine arts. The following is a hymn dedicated to Her, written in the 2nd century A.C.E., by Mesomedes the Cretan.
The English translation goes as follows :
Sing ,Dearest Muse, and help me start my song. Let the breeze coming through Your forests make my soul vibrate!
Oh, Wise Calliope, You the Leader of the Gracious Muses, and You Wise Initiator of the Mysteries, Latona's Son*, Delian, Paean ,offer Your help being favourable to me!
Mnemosyne is one of the most significant Goddesses in the Hellenic Pantheon. She is the Goddess of memory and the One that the initiates invoke, in order to help them gain knowledge and understanding of the sacred Mysteries. Moreover, she is the Mother of the Nine Muses.
The following translation is by Thomas Taylor :
I invoke Mnemosyne, the consort of Jove Divine, Source of the Holy, sweet-speaking Nine; Free from the oblivion of the fallen mind, By whom the soul with intellect is joined; Reason's increase and thought, to Thee belong, All-powerful, Pleasant, Vigilant and Strong; 'Tis thine to waken from lethargic rest all thoughts deposited within the breast; And nought neglecting, Vigorous to excite the mental eye from dark oblivion's night. Come, Blessed Power, the mystic's memory wake to holy rites, and Lethe's fetters break.
The video below includes the original hymn in ancient Greek. The invocation begins at 1.04.
It goes without question that the Greek Gods are some of the most easily recognizable in the world- and it is very interesting to see how their images are utilized. France issued a series of scratch lottery tickets ,where the presence of the Hellenic Pantheon is prevalent, along with familiar symbols of the Ancient Greek civilisation.
Hecate is one of the most intringuing Goddesses of the Hellenic Pantheon. She is a Titaness who decided to support Zeus in His battle against Cronus and the other Titans. Her image, along with Hermes, often stood as a symbol of protection in the entrances of homes. She is the Goddess of the Crossroads, the One who protects the innocent and at the same time She commands all things nocturnal, including ghosts and restless spirits. Her power, as the Orphic hymn dedicated to her mentions, expands to all three realms of the earth.
Here is an English translation of the Orphic hymn :
Hecate of the Path, I invoke Thee, Lovely Lady of the Triple Crossroads, Celestial, Chthonian and Marine One, Lady of the Saffron Robe. Sepulchral One, celebrating the Bacchic Mysteries among the souls of the dead, Daughter of Perses,Lover of Solitude, rejoicing in deer. Nocturnal One, Lady of the Dogs, Invincible Queen. She of the Cry of the Beast, Ungirt One, having an irresistible form. Bullherder, Keeper of the Keys of all the Universe, Mistress, Guide, Bride, Nurturer of Youths, Mountain Wanderer. I pray to Thee, Maiden, to be present at our hallowed rites of initiation, always bestowing Thy Graciousness upon the shepherds.
The following is a song by the Greek band 'Daemonia Nymphe' ,where some of the lyrics of the Orphic Hymn to Hecate are sung.
Heracles is probably the most famous Demigod Hero of the Hellenic Tradition. Son of Zeus and the mortal Alcmene, Heracles has been renowned for his 12 Labours and his many other brave deeds, which incuded his various campaigns to different nations. Ancient Greeks and Romans worshipped him as a God- and His achievements have been immortalized in many forms of art all over the world, up until the contemporary times.
50- franc French Banknote, where Heracles is depicted between Virtue and Vice.
The following are from a series of 2-pound coins for Gibraltar, a place which is still known as one of The Pillars of Heracles. He reached these parts of Europe in his journeys.
