19th Annual Student Research Conference
Interdisciplinary
The Shepard Musician: Medieval Allegorization of Orphic Myth
Paul J. Rachele
Dr. Betsy Delmonico, Faculty Mentor
Although Greek mythology had all but died out by Late Antiquity, the legacy of a handful of the heroes managed to outlive the culture that created them. Of them, none left so great an impact as Orpheus. Springing out of the collapsing Roman culture, Orpheus jumped straight into the medieval Christian canon. While the church leaders concerned themselves with the elimination of heresy, medieval scholars, writers and artists focused their craft on the artistic assimilation of pagan gods in an effort to “Christianize” Europe. Although whispers of the Roman mystery cult of Orphism could still be heard, at that time the veneration of Orpheus had long since gone out of style, and the demigod himself was poised to be forgotten. However, in texts like King Orfeo and statuettes from the Early Medieval era, the Christian allegorization of Orpheus rekindles his myth and brings a veneration of a different kind.
Keywords: Art, Literature, Mythology, Orpheus, Good Shepard, Christ, David, Middle Ages
Topic(s):Interdisciplinary
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Supplemental Files (Downloadable):- Fresco with David as Orpheus from Dura Europos.jpg JPEG image (272.4 kb)
- Floor Mosaic with David-Orpheus.jpg JPEG image (241.5 kb)
- Orpheus and Eurydice leaving Hell.jpg JPEG image (1378.4 kb)
- Orpheus on an Amulet.jpg JPEG image (861.5 kb)
- Orpheus-Good Shepherd Statuette.jpg JPEG image (1645.8 kb)
Session: 14-1
Location: OP 2115
Time: 8:15