Orphic Mysteries Research Paper

The Orphic Mysteries cannot be looked at through the eyes of a single generation of Greeks. One must use fragments from many different centuries and from many authors to get an approximation of what the Orphic Mysteries were about. The first part of the essay will outline the character of Orpheus. We know from different accounts of Orpheus that he descended into Hades in search of his wife. However, Orpheus’ chthonic connection is more than this single journey into Hades. He is looked at as a guide through the underworld. The second part of the essay will analyze the Orphic theogony. Orpheus’ theogony gives the Orphic mysteries their aition of humans, inner divinity, as well as the concept of original impiety/sin. The third part of the essay
However, we still have evidence that the Orphic mysteries had many prohibitions, chanted hymns, and unique funerary practices. The best example is from the abstention of eating meat. “Clothed in raiment all white, I shun the birth of men nor touch the coffins of the dead, and keep myself from eating of food which has had life.” (Euripides, Hipp. 952 f.) The reason they were vegetarians was the Orphics belief in reincarnation. On an Orphic tablet that was left with a person who died alludes to this concept of a soul and rebirth: “Now you have died and now you have been born, thrice blessed one, on this day.” (Edmonds 36-37) The Orphics went so far as to not bury their dead in woolen clothes. “For in these rites too if a man have a share, it is not lawful for him to be buried in woolen garments. (Herodotus 2. 8I) So, one can see the prohibitions set by the Orphic beliefs in reincarnation. Another part of the Orphic mysteries is the sacrifice rituals. When an Orphic cult would sacrifice, it would never be an animal sacrifice or slaughter of any kind. Normally the Orphics would sacrifice various cakes, or popanons. Although, many Orphics were believed to be extremely disciplined, there was a few Orhics who took advantage of the superstitions of the Greek World. They were called Orpheotelestai. These Orphics were the begging monks of the Greek world. They would prey upon the various superstitions of the citizens as a means of living. One could also draw a comparison to a televangelist. The Greek writer, Theophrastus even mentions the Orpheotelestai in Characters. Although, these Orpheotelestai were a nuisance to the community, they were only taking the surface layer of the Orphic Mysteries and manipulating it for personal means. We do not know a great deal of the prayers of the Orphic mysteries. However, we do know of some hymns from the Lykomidai that are about Orpheus. “The Lykomidai of Phlya in Attica