Note 1015 — ANTIENT HEROES.

He is mentioned, as having been twice in a state of [1015]death; which is represented as a twofold descent to the shades below. There is also an obscure piece of mythology about his wife, and a serpent; also of the Rhoia or Pomegranate: which seems to have been taken from some symbolical representation at a time, when the purport was no longer understood. The Orpheans dealt particularly in symbols, as we learn from Proclus. [1016]Ορφικοι δια συμβολον, Πυθαγορειοι δια εικονων, τα θεια μηνυειν εφιεμενοι. His character for science was very great; and Euripides takes particular notice of some antient tablets, containing much salutary knowledge, which were bequeathed to the Thracians by Orpheus: [1017]ἁς Ορφειη κατεγραψε γηρυς. Plato styles his works [1018]βιβλων ὁμαδον, a vast lumber of learning, from the quantity, which people pretended had been transmitted from him. He one while resided in Greece; and particularly at Thebes in Bœotia. Here he introduced the rites of Dionusus, and celebrated his Orgies upon mount [1019]Cithæron. He is said to have been the first who instituted those rites: and was the author of all mysterious worship. [1020]Πρωτος Ορφευς μυστηρια Θεων παρεδωκεν. All these were accompanied with science of another nature: for he is reputed to have been skilled in many arts.