Who Was Orpheus?
Based on the ancient Greek legendary hero, endowed with superhuman musical skills, Orpheus became the patron of a religious movement based on sacred writings said to be his own. Traditionally, Orpheus was the son of a muse–Calliope, patron of epic poetry, and Oeagrus, a king of Thrace (other versions give Apollo). According to other legends, Apollo gave Orpheus his first lyre. Orpheus’ singing and playing were so beautiful that animals and even trees and rocks danced about him. Orpheus joined the Expedition of the Argonauts, saving them from the music of the Sirens by playing his own, more powerful music. On his return, he married Eurydice, who was soon killed by a snakebite. Overcome with grief, Orpheus ventured to the Land Of The Dead to attempt to bring Eurydice back to life. With his singing and playing, he charmed the Ferryman Charon and the Dog Cerberus, guardians of the River Styx. Orpheus’ music and grief so moved Hades, King of the Underworld, that Orpheus was allowed to take
