Orpheus

In Greek mythology, Orpheus was a legendary Thracian musician, poet, and prophet whose mesmerizing talents could charm all living creatures and even stones with his music. Most famous for his journey to the underworld to rescue his beloved wife Eurydice, Orpheus also sailed with Jason and the Argonauts in their quest for the Golden Fleece.

His life story culminates in two defining moments: his heartbreaking attempt to bring Eurydice back from death (during which he failed by looking back at her before reaching the surface), and his tragic death at the hands of Dionysus's maenads, who killed him while he was deep in mourning for Eurydice. His profound influence on Western culture has made him an enduring symbol of artistic inspiration, with his story retold countless times through various art forms including poetry, opera, film, and visual arts.

Beyond his role as a mythological figure, Orpheus held religious significance for the ancient Greeks as the founder of the Orphic mysteries. He was believed to have authored numerous religious texts, including theological works (theogonies) such as the one discussed in the Derveni papyrus, as well as surviving texts like the Orphic Hymns, Orphic Argonautica, and Lithica. Sites claiming to house his relics were revered as oracles, highlighting his importance in both mythological and religious contexts.

His name in English can be pronounced as either "OR-fee-us" or "OR-fyoos," derived from the Ancient Greek Ὀρφεύς.