Scholion to Apollonius of Rhodes, Argonautica 1.23

{{#howtoquotetranslation:}}Show notes

M = reading of the whole MS tradition
m = reading of part of the MS tradition
P = reading on a papyrus
 

πρῶτα νῦν Ὀρφῆος· Ἡρόδωρος FGrHist 31 F 42 = fr. 42 Fowler. δύο εἶναι Ὀρφεῖς φησιν, ὧν τὸν ἕτερον συμπλεῦσαι τοῖς Ἀργοναύταις. Φερεκύδης FGrHist 2 F 26 = fr. 26 Fowler., ἐν τῆι ς΄ Φιλάμμονά φησι καὶ οὐκ Ὀρφέα συμπεπλευκέναι. ἔστι δέ, ὡς Ἀσκληπιάδης FGrHist 12 F 6c., Ἀπόλλωνος καὶ Καλλιόπης· ἔνιοι δὲ ἀπὸ Οἰάγρου καὶ Πολυμνίας.

ζητεῖται δέ, διὰ τί Ὀρφεύς, ἀσθενὴς ὤν, συνέπλει τοῖς ἥρωσιν· ὅτι μάντις ὢν ὁ Χείρων ἔχρησε δύνασθαι καὶ τὰς Σειρῆνας παρελθεῖν αὐτοὺς Ὀρφέως συμπλέοντος ταῦτα δέ φησιν Ἡρόδωρος (FGrHist 31 F 43b) add. m.

‘First let us remember Orpheus.’ Herodorus says that there were two Orpheuses, of whom one sailed with the Argonauts. Pherecydes, in his sixth book, says that Philammon and not Orpheus sailed with them. According to Asclepiades, he is the son of Apollo and Calliope; but some say he is the son of Oeagrus and Polyhymnia.

It is a matter of enquiry why Orpheus, who lacked strength, sailed with the heroes. Because Chiron, who had mantic powers, prophesied that, if Orpheus sailed with them, they would be able to sail past even the Sirens.

Relevant guides	Orpheus