From the book
The Orphic Collection, Volume I: The Hymns
Attributed to Orpheus · Diotimos Editions · 2026
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At a Glance
- The wordὁλκός is a difficult noun here.
- In the Orphic HymnsAt LXXXVII.3 Death’s sleep shatters the soul and the body’s ὁλκός.
- TranslationThe adopted form is accusative ὁλκόν, governed by θραύει and qualified by σώματος.
- A place to readThe body’s ὁλκός is shattered together with the soul; the neighbouring bonds-image informs but does not settle the noun.
- English renderings
- Bodily frame or connected extent; uncertain body-image
Meaning
ὁλκός is a difficult noun here. Its broader lexical range includes something drawn along, a track or channel, and a coiled or extended bodily length. The source’s “frame” gives a plausible functional sense for σώματος ὁλκόν, but that exact anatomical definition is not directly established by the consulted dictionary entry. The image may concern the body’s extended or connected structure rather than a rigid skeleton.
Use in the book
At LXXXVII.3 Death’s sleep shatters the soul and the body’s ὁλκός. The coordination distinguishes ψυχήν from the bodily expression, while the following line speaks of loosening nature’s firm-held bonds. That context supports an interpretation involving the body’s coherence or fabric: what holds together is broken. An alternative emphasis on drawn length or connected train preserves more of the noun’s concrete lexical imagery. Neither requires a literal serpent-body, a hauling machine, or an independently named organ. The verse is forceful about death’s dissolution but less precise about the physical picture conveyed by this uncommon expression. It should not be made to carry a settled philosophical account of the soul’s annihilation simply because “shatter” governs both objects.
Places to read
- Hymn LXXXVII · Line 3The body’s ὁλκός is shattered together with the soul; the neighbouring bonds-image informs but does not settle the noun.
Translation
The adopted form is accusative ὁλκόν, governed by θραύει and qualified by σώματος. “Frame” is the supplied English interpretation, not a different Greek reading. “Bodily fabric,” “connected structure,” or “drawn-out bodily extent” expose different possible aspects of the image; none should be presented as a certainty supplied by the text. The noun remains distinct from the homographic adjective meaning attractive or drawing.
Attested forms
ὁλκόν
Occurrence inventory
1 in total. LXXXVII.3
Lexical references
Further source
LSJ, n73169. Consulted lexical range; the local application and any uncertainty are explained from the supplied Greek.