Hymn to Kronos
translated by Catherine Proppe
December 2, 2014
Note: Kronos is the immortal Titan “Old Father Time” who ruled over a Golden Age of health and prosperity. He tried to secure his rule by castrating his father, Ouranos (God of the Sky), and swallowing his children, the immortal Olympians.
13. Κρόνου, θυμίαμα στύρακα.
To Kronos
Divine Medium: Styrax/storax
Ἀιθαλής, μακάρων τε θεῶν πάτερ ἠδὲ καὶ ἀνδρῶν,
Ever-flourishing blessed father of divinities and humans
ποικιλόβουλ', ἀμίαντε, μεγασθενές, ἄλκιμε Τιτάν·
Complex counselor, flawless, mighty, strong, courageous Titan[1]
ὃς δαπανᾶις μὲν ἅπαντα καὶ αὔξεις ἔμπαλιν αὐτός·
Devouring power supreme and regenerating again autonomously
δεσμοὺς ἀρρήκτους ὃς ἔχεις κατ' ἀπείρονα κόσμον·,
Bond unbreakable, holding firm the pure impervious cosmos
αἰῶνος Κρόνε παγγενέτωρ, Κρόνε ποικιλόμυθε·
Eternal Kronos, parent of all, Kronos, multi-threaded legend:
Γαίης τε βλάστημα καὶ Οὐρανοῦ ἀστερόεντος,
Gaia’s[2] sprouts and Ouranos’[3] stars
γέννα, φυή, μείωσι, Ῥέας πόσι, σεμνὲ Προμηθεῦ,
Generate, thrive[4], wane, Rhea’s[5] husband revered, forethought[6]
ὃς ναίεις κατὰ πάντα μέρη κόσμοιο, γενάρχα,
Prevailing, each and all portions of the cosmos generative architect
ἀγκυλομῆτα, φέριστε· κλύων ἱκετηρίδα φωνὴν,
Come, cup-measurer, bearing history, be open to suppliants’ appeals
πέμποις εὔολβον βιότου τέλος αἰὲν ἄμεμπτον.
Send pure whole life, complete, eternally above reproach.
[1] The Titans deities reside in Tartaros, the deepest realm beneath the earth, in contrast to the Olympians who reside on Mount Olympos, the highest known place on earth. Titaino (τῐταίνω) means stretch.
[2] Gaia is the immortal Goddess of generative Earth.
[3] Ouranos is the immortal God of the Heavens.
[4] Phusis is the immortal Goddess of Nature/Physics.
[5] Rhea is the immortal Mother of the Goddesses and Gods, the Goddess of “flow.”
[6] Promeetheu (Προμηθεῦ) means fore (Προ) + knowledge (μηθεῦ), forethought, caution, shrewdness, foresight.
Endnote:
Kronos’ beneficent rule is described by Diodorus of Sicily and Hesiod:
“Cronus . . . caused all men who were his subjects to change
from a rude way of living to civilized life . . .
“. . . he introduced justice and sincerity of soul, and this is
why the tradition has come down to later generations that
the men [and women] of Cronus’ time were good-hearted, altogether
guileless, and blest with felicity . . .
“And because of the exceptional obedience to laws no in-
justice was committed by any one at any time and all the
subjects of the rule of Cronus lived a life of blessedness, in
the unhindered enjoyment of every pleasure. To this the
poet Hesiod also bears witness in the following words:
“‘And they who were of Cronus’ day, what time
He reigned in heav’n, lived like the [G]ods [and
Goddesses], no care
In heart, remote and free from ills and toils
Severe, from grievous sicknesses and cares;
Old age lay not upon their limbs, but they,
Equal in strength of leg and arm, enjoyed
Endless delight of feasting far from ills,
And when death came, they sank in it as in
A sleep. And many other things were theirs;
Grain-giving earth, unploughed, bore for them
fruit
Abundantly and without stint; and glad
Of heart they dwelt upon their tilth throughout
The earth, in midst of blessings manifold,
Rich in their flocks, loved by the blessed [G]ods
[and Goddesses].’”
Diodorus of Sicily, The Library of History Books 4.59-8 (5.66.4-6),277.
translated by Catherine Proppe
December 2, 2014
Note: Kronos is the immortal Titan “Old Father Time” who ruled over a Golden Age of health and prosperity. He tried to secure his rule by castrating his father, Ouranos (God of the Sky), and swallowing his children, the immortal Olympians.
13. Κρόνου, θυμίαμα στύρακα.
To Kronos
Divine Medium: Styrax/storax
Ἀιθαλής, μακάρων τε θεῶν πάτερ ἠδὲ καὶ ἀνδρῶν,
Ever-flourishing blessed father of divinities and humans
ποικιλόβουλ', ἀμίαντε, μεγασθενές, ἄλκιμε Τιτάν·
Complex counselor, flawless, mighty, strong, courageous Titan[1]
ὃς δαπανᾶις μὲν ἅπαντα καὶ αὔξεις ἔμπαλιν αὐτός·
Devouring power supreme and regenerating again autonomously
δεσμοὺς ἀρρήκτους ὃς ἔχεις κατ' ἀπείρονα κόσμον·,
Bond unbreakable, holding firm the pure impervious cosmos
αἰῶνος Κρόνε παγγενέτωρ, Κρόνε ποικιλόμυθε·
Eternal Kronos, parent of all, Kronos, multi-threaded legend:
Γαίης τε βλάστημα καὶ Οὐρανοῦ ἀστερόεντος,
Gaia’s[2] sprouts and Ouranos’[3] stars
γέννα, φυή, μείωσι, Ῥέας πόσι, σεμνὲ Προμηθεῦ,
Generate, thrive[4], wane, Rhea’s[5] husband revered, forethought[6]
ὃς ναίεις κατὰ πάντα μέρη κόσμοιο, γενάρχα,
Prevailing, each and all portions of the cosmos generative architect
ἀγκυλομῆτα, φέριστε· κλύων ἱκετηρίδα φωνὴν,
Come, cup-measurer, bearing history, be open to suppliants’ appeals
πέμποις εὔολβον βιότου τέλος αἰὲν ἄμεμπτον.
Send pure whole life, complete, eternally above reproach.
[1] The Titans deities reside in Tartaros, the deepest realm beneath the earth, in contrast to the Olympians who reside on Mount Olympos, the highest known place on earth. Titaino (τῐταίνω) means stretch.
[2] Gaia is the immortal Goddess of generative Earth.
[3] Ouranos is the immortal God of the Heavens.
[4] Phusis is the immortal Goddess of Nature/Physics.
[5] Rhea is the immortal Mother of the Goddesses and Gods, the Goddess of “flow.”
[6] Promeetheu (Προμηθεῦ) means fore (Προ) + knowledge (μηθεῦ), forethought, caution, shrewdness, foresight.
Endnote:
Kronos’ beneficent rule is described by Diodorus of Sicily and Hesiod:
“Cronus . . . caused all men who were his subjects to change
from a rude way of living to civilized life . . .
“. . . he introduced justice and sincerity of soul, and this is
why the tradition has come down to later generations that
the men [and women] of Cronus’ time were good-hearted, altogether
guileless, and blest with felicity . . .
“And because of the exceptional obedience to laws no in-
justice was committed by any one at any time and all the
subjects of the rule of Cronus lived a life of blessedness, in
the unhindered enjoyment of every pleasure. To this the
poet Hesiod also bears witness in the following words:
“‘And they who were of Cronus’ day, what time
He reigned in heav’n, lived like the [G]ods [and
Goddesses], no care
In heart, remote and free from ills and toils
Severe, from grievous sicknesses and cares;
Old age lay not upon their limbs, but they,
Equal in strength of leg and arm, enjoyed
Endless delight of feasting far from ills,
And when death came, they sank in it as in
A sleep. And many other things were theirs;
Grain-giving earth, unploughed, bore for them
fruit
Abundantly and without stint; and glad
Of heart they dwelt upon their tilth throughout
The earth, in midst of blessings manifold,
Rich in their flocks, loved by the blessed [G]ods
[and Goddesses].’”
Diodorus of Sicily, The Library of History Books 4.59-8 (5.66.4-6),277.
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