This hymn is also (like the Hymn to the Charites) probably accompanied by a profusion of flowers.
The Horai bring about the occurrence of things in their time, such as when the flowers blossom, when the fruit ripens, when the sun rises and sets, when anything and everything in nature occurs as well as Lawful Conduct, Justice, and Peace.
Image of Horai on vase, circa 500 BCE, here.
The Horai are the divine daughters of Zeus (Fertilizing Principle/Spark of Life) and Themis (Divine Law and Order).
This Hymn probably was concurrent with the sun rising over the horizon. It may have also introduced the newly initiated back into the theater/to the stage.
The connection is made between blossoms and a fruitful harvest.
This Hymn may have also accompanied a procession of a garlanded sacrificial offering, such as a bull. Bulls are often depicted as garlanded.
Frieze of garlanded bulls from Samothrace.
From Theoi.com:
"The Horai were particularly honoured by farmers who planted and tended their crops in time with the rising and setting of the stars--measures of the passing seasons. The three were usually named Eunomia (Good Order, Good Pasture), Eirene (Peace, Spring), and Dike (Justice) goddesses who individually represented the conditions required for farming prosperity."
Pindar, Dithyrambs Fragment 75 :
"Clearly seen are the bright symbols of sacred rites, whensoever, at the opening of the chamber of the purple-robed Horai (Horae, Seasons), the fragrant spring bringeth the nectar-breathing plants. Then, oh then, are flung on the immortal earth the lovely tresses of violets, and roses are entwined in the hair; then ring the voices of songs to the sound of flutes; then ring the dances in honour of diadem-wreathed Semele [i.e. the mother of the wine-god Dionysos]."
Pindar, Olympian Ode 13. 6 ff (trans. Conway) (Greek lyric C5th B.C.E.) :
"Here [in this city] dwells Eunomia and that unsullied fountain Dike (Justice), her sister, sure support of cities; and Eirene (Irene, Peace) of the same kin, who are the stewards of wealth for mankind--three glorious daughters of wise-counselled Themis (Order).
Diodorus Siculus, Library of History 5. 72. 5 (trans. Oldfather) (Greek historian C1st B.C.E.) :
"To Zeus also were born, they say, the goddesses . . . Horai, as they are called, Eunomia (Good Order) and Dike (Justice) and Eirene (Irene, Peace) . . . The Horai (Horae, Hours), as they are called, to each of them, according as her name indicates, was given the ordering and adornment of life, so as to serve to the greatest advantage of mankind; for there is nothing which is better to build a life of felicity than obedience to law (eunomia) and justice (dike) and peace (eirene)."
43. Ὡρῶν, - of the Horai
θυμίαμα - incense
ἀρώματα. - aromatic
Ὧραι - Horai, Goddesses who bring forth the Seasons, the natural time (astrological)
θυγατέρες - daughters
Θέμιδος - of Themis, Goddess of Divine Law and Order
καὶ - and
Ζηνὸς - Zenos/Zeus, God of Lightning/Spark of Life/Fertility Principle
ἄνακτος, - royal, kingly, ruling; regain for oneself, refresh, revive, reinstate, restore = arising (ἄνα) + foundation (κτος); "one must bring up": similar to Ananke/Inevitability, arising prevailing arising kore
Εὐνομίη - Eunomia, Goddess of Good Order and Lawful Conduct
τε - too then
Δίκη - Dike, Goddess of All-Seeing Justice
τε - too then
καὶ - and
Εἰρήνη - Eirene, Goddess of Peace
πολύολβε, - multi, many, poli (πολύ) + whole life/blessings/wealth (ολβε)
εἰαριναί, - Springtime
λειμωνιάδες, - meadow, flowers, Limonium, Sea-lavendar, Snakeweed, Scarlet anemone/Anemone pavonina, Golden thistle
πολυάνθεμοι, - multi, many, poli (πολυ) + blossoms, blooms; sung of/anthemed (άνθεμοι) = "rich in flowers, blooming"
ἁγναί, - pure, holy
παντόχροοι, - "of all kinds of colors" = all (παντό) + color, complexion, skin, tint (χροοι)
πολύοδμοι - multi, many, poli (πολύ) + odor, scent, smell (οδμοι) = "strong-smelling", probably more likely "many-scented"
ἐν - in, within
ἀνθεμοειδέσι - "flowery, blooming" = blossoms (ἀνθεμ) specifically Matricaria Chamomilla/chamomile + egg-shaped (οειδέσι)
πνοιαῖς, - breath, breeze, blow, vapor, exhalation
Ὧραι - Horai
ἀειθαλέες, - eternal (ἀει) + blooming (θαλέες)
περικυκλάδες, - all around (περι) + circling, cycling, recurring (κυκλάδες) = encircle, encompass, perhaps: perennial
ἡδυπρόσωποι, - "of sweet countenance" = sweet, pleasant, pleasurable, dear, sweetness (ἡδυ) + "countenance, look, facade" (πρόσωποι) - or - before (πρό) + silence, hush (σωποι) (could be stage directions asking for silence)
πέπλους - peplos, robe
ἑννύμεναι - clothed, put on, wear
δροσεροὺς - dewy, bedewed, sprinkled
ἀνθῶν - blossom, flower
πολυθρέπτων, - "much-nourished, the many flowers that grow" = many, multi, poli (πολυ) + brought up, raised, fostered, nourished, fed (θρέπτων)
ἁγνῆς - pure, holy
Περσεφόνης - Persephone, Goddess of afterlife and spring rebirth
συμπαίκτορες, - playmate, sympatico = together (συμ) + play, sport (παίκτορες)
ἡνίκα - at the time when, whenever, while, at which point of time
Μοῖραι - Moirai, Goddess of fate, one's portion of the whole
καὶ - and
Χάριτες - Charites, Goddesses of beauty
κυκλίοισι - circling, cycling
χοροῖς - chorus, dance
πρὸς - before
φῶς - light; dawn; that which gives light (phosphorescent)
ἀνάγωσι - lift up, raise; bring back, return, restore; lead up from a lower place to a higher
Ζηνὶ - Zeni/Zeus/Rain
χαριζόμεναι - show favor, say or do something agreeable, gratify, give graciously or cheerfully, grant favor
καὶ - and
μητέρι - Mother
καρποδοτείρηι· - "giver of fruit" = fruit (καρπο) + giver (δοτείρηι) (Demeter)
ἔλθετ' - come
ἐπ' - upon
εὐφήμους - "uttering sounds of good omen, fair-sounding, auspicious" = essence pure (εὐ) + fame, divine utterance, significant or prophetic saying, prophecy, "oracle" (φήμους)
τελετὰς - complete, fulfill, bring to pass; initiation, mystic rite
ὁσίας - hallowed, sanctioned by divine law, holy
νεομύστοις - new, newly (νεο) + initiates, mystai (μύστοις) = newly initiated (perhaps at this point the new initiates are led in to the theater?)
εὐκάρπους - essence pure (εὐ) + fruit (κάρπους) = fruitful, blessed with good crops
καιρῶν - at the right time, in due season, in season, as fit
γενέσεις - genesis, create, give birth to
ἐπάγουσαι - upon (ἐπ) + august; lead; any matter of religious awe; sacrifice (άγουσαι) = in August? -or- most august/revered/honored
ἀμεμφῶς. - above reproach (this Hymn could, perhaps, introduce the sacrificial offering? perhaps a garlanded bull? or not)
The Horai bring about the occurrence of things in their time, such as when the flowers blossom, when the fruit ripens, when the sun rises and sets, when anything and everything in nature occurs as well as Lawful Conduct, Justice, and Peace.
Image of Horai on vase, circa 500 BCE, here.
The Horai are the divine daughters of Zeus (Fertilizing Principle/Spark of Life) and Themis (Divine Law and Order).
This Hymn probably was concurrent with the sun rising over the horizon. It may have also introduced the newly initiated back into the theater/to the stage.
The connection is made between blossoms and a fruitful harvest.
This Hymn may have also accompanied a procession of a garlanded sacrificial offering, such as a bull. Bulls are often depicted as garlanded.
Frieze of garlanded bulls from Samothrace.
From Theoi.com:
"The Horai were particularly honoured by farmers who planted and tended their crops in time with the rising and setting of the stars--measures of the passing seasons. The three were usually named Eunomia (Good Order, Good Pasture), Eirene (Peace, Spring), and Dike (Justice) goddesses who individually represented the conditions required for farming prosperity."
Pindar, Dithyrambs Fragment 75 :
"Clearly seen are the bright symbols of sacred rites, whensoever, at the opening of the chamber of the purple-robed Horai (Horae, Seasons), the fragrant spring bringeth the nectar-breathing plants. Then, oh then, are flung on the immortal earth the lovely tresses of violets, and roses are entwined in the hair; then ring the voices of songs to the sound of flutes; then ring the dances in honour of diadem-wreathed Semele [i.e. the mother of the wine-god Dionysos]."
Pindar, Olympian Ode 13. 6 ff (trans. Conway) (Greek lyric C5th B.C.E.) :
"Here [in this city] dwells Eunomia and that unsullied fountain Dike (Justice), her sister, sure support of cities; and Eirene (Irene, Peace) of the same kin, who are the stewards of wealth for mankind--three glorious daughters of wise-counselled Themis (Order).
Diodorus Siculus, Library of History 5. 72. 5 (trans. Oldfather) (Greek historian C1st B.C.E.) :
"To Zeus also were born, they say, the goddesses . . . Horai, as they are called, Eunomia (Good Order) and Dike (Justice) and Eirene (Irene, Peace) . . . The Horai (Horae, Hours), as they are called, to each of them, according as her name indicates, was given the ordering and adornment of life, so as to serve to the greatest advantage of mankind; for there is nothing which is better to build a life of felicity than obedience to law (eunomia) and justice (dike) and peace (eirene)."
43. Ὡρῶν, - of the Horai
θυμίαμα - incense
ἀρώματα. - aromatic
Ὧραι - Horai, Goddesses who bring forth the Seasons, the natural time (astrological)
θυγατέρες - daughters
Θέμιδος - of Themis, Goddess of Divine Law and Order
καὶ - and
Ζηνὸς - Zenos/Zeus, God of Lightning/Spark of Life/Fertility Principle
ἄνακτος, - royal, kingly, ruling; regain for oneself, refresh, revive, reinstate, restore = arising (ἄνα) + foundation (κτος); "one must bring up": similar to Ananke/Inevitability, arising prevailing arising kore
Εὐνομίη - Eunomia, Goddess of Good Order and Lawful Conduct
τε - too then
Δίκη - Dike, Goddess of All-Seeing Justice
τε - too then
καὶ - and
Εἰρήνη - Eirene, Goddess of Peace
πολύολβε, - multi, many, poli (πολύ) + whole life/blessings/wealth (ολβε)
εἰαριναί, - Springtime
λειμωνιάδες, - meadow, flowers, Limonium, Sea-lavendar, Snakeweed, Scarlet anemone/Anemone pavonina, Golden thistle
πολυάνθεμοι, - multi, many, poli (πολυ) + blossoms, blooms; sung of/anthemed (άνθεμοι) = "rich in flowers, blooming"
ἁγναί, - pure, holy
παντόχροοι, - "of all kinds of colors" = all (παντό) + color, complexion, skin, tint (χροοι)
πολύοδμοι - multi, many, poli (πολύ) + odor, scent, smell (οδμοι) = "strong-smelling", probably more likely "many-scented"
ἐν - in, within
ἀνθεμοειδέσι - "flowery, blooming" = blossoms (ἀνθεμ) specifically Matricaria Chamomilla/chamomile + egg-shaped (οειδέσι)
πνοιαῖς, - breath, breeze, blow, vapor, exhalation
Ὧραι - Horai
ἀειθαλέες, - eternal (ἀει) + blooming (θαλέες)
περικυκλάδες, - all around (περι) + circling, cycling, recurring (κυκλάδες) = encircle, encompass, perhaps: perennial
ἡδυπρόσωποι, - "of sweet countenance" = sweet, pleasant, pleasurable, dear, sweetness (ἡδυ) + "countenance, look, facade" (πρόσωποι) - or - before (πρό) + silence, hush (σωποι) (could be stage directions asking for silence)
πέπλους - peplos, robe
ἑννύμεναι - clothed, put on, wear
δροσεροὺς - dewy, bedewed, sprinkled
ἀνθῶν - blossom, flower
πολυθρέπτων, - "much-nourished, the many flowers that grow" = many, multi, poli (πολυ) + brought up, raised, fostered, nourished, fed (θρέπτων)
ἁγνῆς - pure, holy
Περσεφόνης - Persephone, Goddess of afterlife and spring rebirth
συμπαίκτορες, - playmate, sympatico = together (συμ) + play, sport (παίκτορες)
ἡνίκα - at the time when, whenever, while, at which point of time
Μοῖραι - Moirai, Goddess of fate, one's portion of the whole
καὶ - and
Χάριτες - Charites, Goddesses of beauty
κυκλίοισι - circling, cycling
χοροῖς - chorus, dance
πρὸς - before
φῶς - light; dawn; that which gives light (phosphorescent)
ἀνάγωσι - lift up, raise; bring back, return, restore; lead up from a lower place to a higher
Ζηνὶ - Zeni/Zeus/Rain
χαριζόμεναι - show favor, say or do something agreeable, gratify, give graciously or cheerfully, grant favor
καὶ - and
μητέρι - Mother
καρποδοτείρηι· - "giver of fruit" = fruit (καρπο) + giver (δοτείρηι) (Demeter)
ἔλθετ' - come
ἐπ' - upon
εὐφήμους - "uttering sounds of good omen, fair-sounding, auspicious" = essence pure (εὐ) + fame, divine utterance, significant or prophetic saying, prophecy, "oracle" (φήμους)
τελετὰς - complete, fulfill, bring to pass; initiation, mystic rite
ὁσίας - hallowed, sanctioned by divine law, holy
νεομύστοις - new, newly (νεο) + initiates, mystai (μύστοις) = newly initiated (perhaps at this point the new initiates are led in to the theater?)
εὐκάρπους - essence pure (εὐ) + fruit (κάρπους) = fruitful, blessed with good crops
καιρῶν - at the right time, in due season, in season, as fit
γενέσεις - genesis, create, give birth to
ἐπάγουσαι - upon (ἐπ) + august; lead; any matter of religious awe; sacrifice (άγουσαι) = in August? -or- most august/revered/honored
ἀμεμφῶς. - above reproach (this Hymn could, perhaps, introduce the sacrificial offering? perhaps a garlanded bull? or not)
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