Note 88 — IX. PORPHYRY. 233–306 (?) A.D.
Reading edition
Περὶ Ἐποχῆς κ. τ. λ. In the number of the traditionary reformers and civilisers of the earlier nations, the name of Orpheus has always held a foremost place. In early Christian times Orpheus and the literature with which his name is connected occupy a very prominent and important position, and some celebrated forged prophecies passed current as the utterances of that half-legendary hero. Horace adopts the popular belief as to his radical dietetic reform in the following verses:—
Silvestres homines sacer, interpresque Deorum, Cædibus et fœdo victu deterruit Orpheus. —Ars Poetica.
Virgil assigns him a place in the first rank of the Just in the Elysian paradise.—Æn. vi.