English Text - Blog Posts

ρθροφοιτοσυκοφαντοδικοπαλαίπωροι, τρόποι

The unhappy habit to get up in the early morning to attend tribunals dealing with (stupid) judgments and convictions

In the beginning there were Chaos and Nyx and the black Erebus and the wide Tartarus, but there were not Earth, nor Air, nor Sky; and in the wide hole of Erebus, first of all Nyx of black wings created an egg raised by the wind, from where in the cyrcle returning seasons bloomed Eros the Desirable, with his refulgent back from two golden wings, similar to speedy whirlwinds. And he at night blending with winged Chaos, in the wide Tartarus, hatched our people, and firstly brought to the light. Until then there were not immortal seed, before Eros mixed everything; but being mixed each other, birthed Uranus and Oceanus, and Earth and seed without destruction of all blessed Gods.

Aristophanes, The Birds -  693-702

Apollo can dress and solve life's doubts giving responsa to whom ask; he arouses intellectual doubts and then offers men who have philosophical nature.

Plutarch, E of Delphi

Pluto [Plouton], magnanimous, whose realms profound are fix'd beneath the firm and solid ground, In the Tartarian plains remote from fight, and wrapt forever in the depths of night; Terrestrial Jove [Zeus Khthonios], thy sacred ear incline, and, pleas'd, accept thy mystic's hymn divine. Earth's keys to thee, illustrious king belong, its secret gates unlocking, deep and strong. 'Tis thine, abundant annual fruits to bear, for needy mortals are thy constant care. To thee, great king, Avernus is assign'd, the seat of Gods, and basis of mankind. Thy throne is fix'd in Hade's dismal plains, distant, unknown to rest, where darkness reigns; Where, destitute of breath, pale spectres dwell, in endless, dire, inexorable hell; And in dread Acheron, whose depths obscure, earth's stable roots eternally secure. O mighty dæmon, whose decision dread, the future fate determines of the dead, With captive Proserpine [Kore], thro' grassy plains, drawn in a four-yok'd car with loosen'd reins, Rapt o'er the deep, impell'd by love, you flew 'till Eleusina's city rose to view; There, in a wond'rous cave obscure and deep, the sacred maid secure from search you keep, The cave of Atthis, whose wide gates display an entrance to the kingdoms void of day. Of unapparent works, thou art alone the dispensator, visible and known. O pow'r all-ruling, holy, honor'd light, thee sacred poets and their hymns delight: Propitious to thy mystic's works incline, rejoicing come, for holy rites are thine.  

click here for the Ancient Greek version