Severed Heads and Cosmic Eggs: Orpheus and Esotericism
This episode introduces one of the most fascinating and polysemic figures of antiquity – Orpheus. We discuss some of the amazing myth-cycle surrounding Orpheus, concentrating on the story of the katabasis, return, and eventual (rather gruesome) death.
Primary Sources
Herodotus . Erodotos
This work defines the origins of Western historical inquiry. Herodotus travels across continents to track the customs, wars, and shifting boundaries of the ancient world. He focuses on the unstable nature of power and the inevitability of divine justice. Readers see how hubris drives kings to ruin a
Aristophanes . Aristophanes
These plays are not dusty relics. They are blunt instruments of social critique that target the hypocrisy of politicians, the moral rot of new educational fads, and the desperate greed of the common citizen. Aristophanes uses humor to puncture the self-importance of the ruling class and the intellec
Arist. De arte poetica . Aristotelous Peri poietikes . Ac praeterea Plutarchi, Herodoti, Dionis Chrysostomi, Libanii, Menandri, ac Demetrii Phalerei quaedam
Aristotle changed how we think about storytelling, but this volume goes much further. It includes essential guidance from Plutarch and Demetrius on how to read, write, and think critically. You will discover why poetry is more philosophical than history and how to spot a writer who is trying to dece
The Histories of Herodotus and Works of Plutarch and Gemistus Plethon
The authors examine why civilizations collapse and how leaders lose their grip on reality. By juxtaposing Herodotus's accounts of imperial hubris with the metaphysical arguments of Plethon and Plutarch, the text bridges the gap between ancient storytelling and systematic philosophy. You will encount
Herodotus (Cambridge, Emmanuel College, MS 30)
This text serves as the foundation for historical inquiry by documenting the rise of the Persian Empire and its struggle against Greek autonomy. Herodotus rejects simple storytelling to examine why empires fall and how culture shapes human behavior. He maintains that prosperity is fleeting and that
Aristophanes, Plutus, Nubes and Ranae (Cambridge, Trinity College, MS R.1.42)
Aristophanes turns the theater into a courtroom where money, gods, and philosophers stand trial. He asks if human virtue can survive in a world where the god of Wealth finally regains his sight. Through the eyes of a scribe in Crete and the pens of later scholars, this codex tracks the survival of c
The Histories and Parallel Lives
Herodotus treats the past as a global crime scene where oracles mislead kings and empires vanish overnight. Plutarch then shifts the focus to the individuals behind the power, weighing the moral worth of lawgivers and tyrants alike. Together, they document how the wheel of fortune turns regardless o
Orphic and Homeric Hymns
This remarkable collection offers an intimate look at the intersection of ancient Greek theology, ritual practice, and poetic tradition. By weaving together the Orphic perspective on cosmogony with the Homeric celebration of divine exploits, the text presents a world where every natural force—from t
The Mystical Initiations; or, Hymns of Orpheus
This volume is an act of defiance against the modern reduction of religion to mere history or folklore. Taylor argues that the Greek theological tradition is a coherent, scientific approach to reality that utilizes polytheism to express the hierarchy of a single, unified source. By translating these
Orphica (Argonautica, Hymni, Lithica)
This volume is not just a poem; it is an argument about how we reconstruct the past. Hermann and Gesner treat the Argonautica and the Lithica as damaged artifacts, using rigorous philology to peel away the layers of corruption added by centuries of scribes. They engage with the Orphic texts to uncov
Orphica
Gottfried Hermann does not offer a polished myth but a raw, confrontational look at how we inherit the ancient past. He forces the reader to confront the reality that many famous works were misattributed, patched together, or distorted by centuries of scribal error. The text exposes the vanity of th
Comedies
Aristophanis Comoediae is a foundational exploration of Old Comedy, asserting that the stage is a vital site for political truth and public education. Through masterpieces like 'The Acharnians' and 'The Knights,' Aristophanes delivers a searing critique of the Peloponnesian War’s origins and the ris
The Histories
This is the first major work of Western history. Herodotus writes to ensure that great deeds remain etched in human memory. He surveys the clash between East and West, mapping the customs of distant lands from Scythia to Egypt. His narrative operates on the premise that power is inherently unstable.
Orphica (Abel Edition, with Proclus Hymns & Hymn to Isis)
Eugen Abel reconstructs the Orphic tradition by stripping away centuries of editorial clutter. He aligns fragmented myths and hymns into a logical sequence, transforming obscure lore into a cohesive theological system. The text argues that music, ritual, and language possess the power to move mounta
The Histories, Books 3-4
This text documents the Persian Empire at its most vulnerable, mapping the intersection of divine prophecy and human madness. Herodotus rejects dry chronicle for a narrative driven by cultural clash and the cycle of fortune. He argues that distance often correlates with absurdity, creating a world w
Orphic Fragments
Otto Kern reconstructs the fragmented legacy of Orpheus to reveal the evolution of Greek religious thought. The text examines the historical validity of Orpheus while documenting his influence on figures like Pythagoras and Plato. It presents a radical theology where the creator Phanes is swallowed
The Persian Wars
Herodotus captures a world in the midst of a violent, chaotic transition. He maps the collision between the absolute, expansionist power of the Achaemenid dynasty and the emerging, volatile identity of the Greek cities. His writing is not just a military record; it is an investigation into why empir
Aristophanes II: Peace, Birds, Frogs (Loeb)
This volume collects three of the most influential comedies from ancient Athens. Aristophanes combines sharp political satire with mythological parody to critique the corrupt leaders and litigious culture of his time. He argues for the restoration of rural prosperity and the civic importance of high
The Hermetic Writings, Volume 1
Walter Scott provides a rigorous investigation into the Hermetic writings, treating them as a coherent system of ancient philosophy. He strips away centuries of confusion to reveal a hierarchy where humanity serves as the essential bridge between the material and the divine. You will encounter argum