From the book
The Orphic Collection, Volume I: The Hymns
Attributed to Orpheus · Diotimos Editions · 2026
Browse this book’s lexicon →- English renderings
- Tiller; governing handle
Meaning
Eros, Nomos, and Death each hold an οἴαξ in an image of governing living beings. The epic accusative οἴηκα is the object held, not a form of οἶκος, “house.” A ship’s steering instrument becomes an image of control even where no literal vessel is present.
Places to read
- Hymn LVIII · Line 8Read the word in its hymn.
Attested forms
οἴηκα
Occurrence inventory
3 in total. LVIII.8; LXIV.8; LXXXVII.1