Orphic Elements in Greek Funerary Verse-inscriptions
Orphic Elements in Greek Funerary Verse-inscriptions

Summary/Abstract: Many Classical scholars assume that Greek verse-inscriptions proclaiming clear-cut visions of Afterlife do originate in mystery cults. Accordingly, such verses are either termed as Orphic, Pythagorean, Dionysiac, or some kind of direct influence by mystery cults on them is recognized. The following paper surveys scant evidence for the alleged Orphic funerary poems. Apparently as far Orphism is concerned, there is almost complete silence in funerary verse-inscriptions. A critical appraisal of some ‘Orphic’ attributions allows also to draw some inferences on relations between ‘Orphic’ traditions and Greek funerary poetry. To large extent, funerary monuments (and funerary epigrams) constituted a public manifestation of within-group status or social status of the deceased and of their families. Therefore, it seems that such group membership did not define the individuals as being ‘Orphic’. The ‘Orphics’ (and their dead) did not build collective ties and that their social identity was less developed than, for example, that of Pythagoreans or initiates of Dionysiac mysteries. Otherwise they would proudly manifest their honourable affiliation or their privileged status in the afterlife.

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