Pseudo-Orpheus

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A large number of hymns have come down to us under the name of the mythical singer Orpheus . These texts, written entirely in hexameters , date from the 6th century BC. And the 4th century AD

One of these works, Pseudo-Orpheus (PseuOrph) or also called the Testament of Orpheus , is obviously of Jewish origin. The poem is available in four different versions. The shortest and obviously most original version (review A) was probably made in Hellenistic Alexandria at the turn of the ages, i.e. in the 1st century BC. It is handed down in the pseudo-Justinian writings "De monarchia" (chapter 2) and "Cohortatio ad gentiles" (chapter 15) and is also quoted by Clemens of Alexandria .

According to this work, the mythical singer of prehistoric times and teacher of pagan polytheism solemnly revoked it shortly before his death and left his confession of monotheism as a legacy to his student Musaios . He now proclaims that God is one and invisible to the human eye. Nevertheless, he rules his creation: the universe and earthly nature as well as the fate of people, to whom he sends both happiness and sorrow. That is why the heart of Musaios should be devoted to the divine Logos.

The longest review (D) is a Christian revision of 46 hexameters from the 5th century AD, which indicates the text on the incarnation of Christ. This version was probably created when a collection of quotations by Greek authors was written under Emperor Zenon (AD 474–491), which were supposed to bear witness to biblical monotheism and the Christian doctrine of the Trinity .