ORPHEUS (the singer who went down to the underworld)
Hero · legendary musician, poet, and prophet in ancient Greek religion and myth
- Parents
- Oeagrus, Calliope
- Siblings
- Linus of Thrace
- Consorts
- Eurydice, Argiope
- In the sources
- 71 ancient passages
In Godsunder
At the height of their saga. Heroes begin the campaign weaker and grow with every deed.
- Might10
- Grace14
- Vigour10
- Wits20
- Spirit12
- Charming Song. Orpheus had the ability to charm anyone he wished through speaking. Euripides, Iphigenia in Aulis 1211-1254
Orpheus is identified as a Thracian man, son of Oeagrus, and a member of the Cicones tribe. Apollodorus 1.9.16 +2 Orpheus is described as a Thracian poet, bard of Apollo, and prophet of Dionysus associated with Bacchic mysteries. Euripides, Rhesus 952-992 +2 Orpheus is identified as a skilled musician, sweet singer, minstrel, and father of song who was one of the cultivators of ancient music. Euripides, Alcestis 962-972 +2
Powers
Orpheus surpassed all recorded men in culture, song-music, and poetry. Diodorus 4.25 +2
In the myths
He descended into the underworld to attempt to retrieve his deceased wife. Apollodorus 1.3.2 +2 Orpheus prayed to the Samothracian deities for the sailors' salvation during a storm. Diodorus 4.43 +1 Orpheus played a rapid counter-melody on his lyre to stop the crew from approaching the Sirens. Apollodorus 1.9.25 +1 His prayers caused the winds to cease and allowed the Argonauts to survive the peril. Diodorus 4.43 +1
Worship
The followers of Orpheus honored him as a god. Euripides, Rhesus 952-992 +1
Fate
Orpheus was killed by Thracian women who conspired to kill him while intoxicated because he took their husbands away. Pausanias 9.30.5 +1 Some accounts claim he died by suicide due to grief over losing his wife's soul, which was forced to return to the underworld because he looked back. Apollodorus 1.3.2 +1
