Category: Arts & Culture
Orpheus, ancient Greek legendary hero endowed with superhuman musical skills. He became the patron of a religious movement based on sacred writings said to be his own.
Traditionally, Orpheus was the son of a Muse (probably Calliope, the patron of epic poetry) and Oeagrus, a king of Thrace (other versions give Apollo). According to some legends, Apollo gave Orpheus his first lyre. Orpheus’s singing and playing were so beautiful that animals and even trees and rocks moved about him in dance.
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Orpheus joined the expedition of the Argonauts, saving them from the music of the Sirens by playing his own, more powerful music. On his return, he married Eurydice, who was soon killed by a snakebite. Overcome with grief, Orpheus ventured himself to the land of the dead to attempt to bring Eurydice back to life. With his singing and playing he charmed the ferryman Charon and the dog Cerberus, guardians of the River Styx. His music and grief so moved Hades, king of the underworld, that Orpheus was allowed to take Eurydice with him back to the world of life and light. Hades set one condition, however: upon leaving the land of death, both Orpheus and Eurydice were forbidden to look back. The couple climbed up toward the opening into the land of the living, and Orpheus, seeing the Sun again, turned back to share his delight with Eurydice. In that moment, she disappeared. A famous version of the story was related by Virgil in Georgics, Book IV.
Orpheus himself was later killed by the women of Thrace. The motive and manner of his death vary in different accounts, but the earliest known, that of Aeschylus, says that they were Maenads urged by Dionysus to tear him to pieces in a Bacchic orgy because he preferred the worship of the rival god Apollo. His head, still singing, with his lyre, floated to Lesbos, where an oracle of Orpheus was established. The head prophesied until the oracle became more famous than that of Apollo at Delphi, at which time Apollo himself bade the Orphic oracle stop. The dismembered limbs of Orpheus were gathered up and buried by the Muses. His lyre they had placed in the heavens as a constellation.
The story of Orpheus was transformed and provided with a happy ending in the medieval English romance of Sir Orfeo. The character of Orpheus appears in numerous works, including operas by Claudio Monteverdi (Orfeo, 1607), Christoph Gluck (Orfeo ed Euridice, 1762), and Jacques Offenbach (Orpheus in the Underworld, 1858); Jean Cocteau’s drama (1926) and film (1949) Orphée; and Brazilian director Marcel Camus’s film Black Orpheus (1959).
A mystery religion based on the teachings and songs of Orpheus is thought to have eventually arisen in ancient Greece, although no coherent description of such a religion can be constructed from historical evidence. Most scholars agree that by the 5th century bc there was at least an Orphic movement, with traveling priests who offered teaching and initiation, based on a body of legend and doctrine said to have been founded by Orpheus. Part of the Orphic ritual is thought to have involved the mimed or actual dismemberment of an individual representing the god Dionysus, who was then seen to be reborn. Orphic eschatology laid great stress on rewards and punishment after bodily death, the soul then being freed to achieve its true life.
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The Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaThis article was most recently revised and updated by Adam Augustyn.
As an enthusiast deeply immersed in the rich tapestry of Greek mythology and ancient cultural movements, I bring a wealth of knowledge to the table, especially regarding the legendary figure of Orpheus. My passion for this topic is evident in my exploration of various artistic representations, operas, dramas, and films that feature Orpheus, such as works by Claudio Monteverdi, Christoph Gluck, Jacques Offenbach, Jean Cocteau, and Marcel Camus.
Let's delve into the fascinating world of Orpheus, the ancient Greek hero with unparalleled musical prowess. According to the legends, Orpheus, the son of a Muse, most likely Calliope, and either Oeagrus or Apollo, possessed a lyre gifted to him by Apollo himself. His musical abilities were so enchanting that they could move not only humans but also animals, trees, and rocks, compelling them to dance.
One of the most well-known episodes in Orpheus's life is his participation in the Argonauts' expedition. He saved the crew from the deadly allure of the Sirens by playing his own, more powerful music. Following his heroic deeds, Orpheus faced a tragic turn of events when his beloved wife, Eurydice, died from a snakebite shortly after their marriage.
Driven by grief, Orpheus undertook a perilous journey to the land of the dead, attempting to bring Eurydice back to life. His musical skills charmed the guardians of the underworld, including Charon and Cerberus, as well as Hades himself. Against all odds, Orpheus was granted permission to return with Eurydice to the world of the living, but with one condition—he must not look back until they both reached the surface. Unfortunately, unable to resist the temptation, Orpheus glanced back, causing Eurydice to vanish forever.
Orpheus's tragic fate continued as he was later killed by the women of Thrace. The circ*mstances of his death varied in different accounts, with Aeschylus attributing it to Maenads under the influence of Dionysus. Orpheus's head, still singing with his lyre, floated to Lesbos, where an oracle dedicated to him was established.
The story of Orpheus endured transformations over time, including a medieval English romance providing a happier ending. The character of Orpheus became a prominent figure in various artistic expressions, from operas to films, showcasing the enduring appeal of this myth.
Beyond the artistic interpretations, the article touches upon the emergence of a mystery religion associated with Orpheus in ancient Greece. While historical evidence doesn't provide a coherent description of this religion, scholars agree that an Orphic movement existed by the 5th century BC. This movement involved traveling priests offering teachings and initiation based on legends and doctrines attributed to Orpheus. The Orphic ritual is believed to have included the symbolic or actual dismemberment of an individual representing the god Dionysus, symbolizing rebirth. Orphic eschatology emphasized rewards and punishments after death, highlighting the soul's liberation for its true existence.
In summary, the Orpheus myth transcends its ancient origins, weaving its way through the realms of art, culture, and religion, leaving an indelible mark on human imagination and creativity.
