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All Prayers

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The complete list of the collection's prayers, hymns, vows and inscriptions — from the Homeric hymns of the seventh century BC to votive inscriptions from the Roman provinces. Every text carries the original in Greek or Latin, a translation, an exact reference to the edition, and a commentary.

  1. 001

    Hymn to Aphrodite

    ANONYMOUS (HOMERIC CORPUS) · HOMERIC HYMNS · 6

    I will sing of stately Aphrodite, gold-crowned and beautiful, whose dominion is the walled cities of all sea-set Kypros. There the moist breath of Zephyros the western wind wafted her over the waves of the loud-moaning sea in soft foam, and there the gold-filleted Horai welcomed her joyously... Hail, sweetly-winning, coy-eyed goddess! Grant that I may gain the victory in this contest, and order you my song. And now I will remember you and another song also.

    Greek · hymn
    Aphrodite, Zephyrus, the Horae
    InvocationPetition
    archaic Greek (7th-4th c. BC)
    →
  2. 002

    Hymn to Dionysus

    ANONYMOUS (HOMERIC CORPUS) · HOMERIC HYMNS · 26

    I begin to sing of Dionysos ivy-crowned, the loud-crying, splendid son of Zeus and glorious Semele. The rich-haired Nymphai received him in their bosoms from the lord his father and fostered and nurtured him carefully in the dells of Nysa, where by the will of his father he grew up in a sweet-smelling cave, being reckoned among the immortals. But when the goddesses had brought him up, a god oft hymned, then began he to wander continually through the woody coombes, thickly wreathed with ivy and laurel. And the Nymphai followed in his train with him for their leader; and the boundless forest was filled with their outcry. And so hail to you, Dionysos god of abundant clusters! Grant that we may come again rejoicing to this season, and from that season onwards for many a year.

    Greek · hymn
    Dionysus, Semele, the Nymphs
    InvocationPetition
    archaic Greek (7th-4th c. BC)
    →
  3. 003

    Hymn to Aphrodite

    ANONYMOUS (ORPHIC CORPUS) · ORPHIC HYMNS · 55

    Ourania, illustrious, laughter-loving queen, sea-born, night-loving, of awful mien; crafty, from whom Ananke first came, producing, nightly, all-connecting dame. 'Tis thine the world with harmony to join, for all things spring from thee, O power divine. The triple Moirai are ruled by thy decree, and all productions yield alike to thee: whatever the heavens, encircling all, contain, earth fruit-producing, and the stormy main, thy sway confesses, and obeys thy nod, awful attendant of Bakkhos God. Goddess of marriage, charming to the sight, mother of the Erotes, whom banquetings delight; source of Peitho, secret, favouring queen, illustrious born, apparent and unseen; spousal Lukaina, and to men inclined, prolific, most-desired, life-giving, kind. Great sceptre-bearer of the Gods, 'tis thine mortals in necessary bands to join; and every tribe of savage monsters dire in magic chains to bind through mad desire. Come, Kyprogenes, and to my prayer incline, whether exalted in the heavens you shine, or pleased in odorous Syria to preside, or over the Aigyptian plains thy care to guide, fashioned of gold; and near its sacred flood, fertile and famed, to fix thy blest abode; or if rejoicing in the azure shores, near where the sea with foaming billows roars, the circling choirs of mortals thy delight, or beauteous Nymphai with eyes cerulean bright, pleased by the sandy banks renowned of old, to drive thy rapid two-yoked car of gold; or if in Kypros thy famed mother fair, where Nymphai unmarried praise thee every year, the loveliest Nymphai, who in the chorus join, Adonis pure to sing, and thee divine. Come, all-attractive, to my prayer inclined, for thee I call, with holy, reverent mind.

    Greek · hymn
    Aphrodite, Eros, Peitho, Adonis, the Moirai, Ananke, the Nymphs
    InvocationPetition
    Hellenistic to Roman imperial (3rd c. BC – 2nd c. AD)
    →
  4. 004

    Hymn to Dionysus and Persephone

    ANONYMOUS (ORPHIC CORPUS) · ORPHIC HYMNS · 30

    Dionysos I call loud-sounding and divine, inspiring God, a twofold shape is thine: thy various names and attributes I sing, O firstborn, thrice begotten, Bakkheion king. Rural, ineffable, two-formed, obscure, two-horned, with ivy crowned, and Euion pure: bull-faced and martial, bearer of the vine, endued with counsel prudent and divine: Eubouleos, whom the leaves of vines adorn, of Zeus and Persephoneia occultly born in beds ineffable; all-blessed power, whom with triennial offerings men adore. Immortal Daimon, hear my suppliant voice, give me in blameless plenty to rejoice; and listen gracious to my mystic prayer surrounded with thy choir of nurses fair.

    Greek · hymn
    Dionysus, Persephone
    InvocationPetition
    Hellenistic to Roman imperial (3rd c. BC – 2nd c. AD)
    →
  5. 005

    Prayer to Bacchus

    SENECA · OEDIPUS · 403-441; 503-508

    Let the people's hymn sound with the praise of Bacchus. Bind your streaming locks with the nodding ivy, and in your soft hands grasp the Nysaean thyrsus! Bright glory of the sky, come hither to the prayers which thine own illustrious Thebes, O Bacchus, offers to thee with suppliant hands. Hither turn with favour thy virginal face; with thy star-bright countenance drive away the clouds, the grim threats of Erebus, and greedy fate. Thee it becomes to circle thy locks with flowers of the springtime, thee to cover thy head with Tyrian turban, or thy smooth brow to wreathe with the ivy's clustering berries; now to fling loose thy lawless-streaming locks, again to bind them in a knot close-drawn; in such guise as when, fearing thy stepdame's wrath, thou didst grow to manhood with false-seeming limbs, a pretended maiden with golden ringlets, with saffron girdle binding thy garments. So thereafter this soft vesture has pleased thee, folds loose hanging and the long-trailing mantle. Seated in thy golden chariot, thy lions with long trappings covered, all the vast coast of the Orient saw thee, both he who drinks of the Ganges and whoever breaks the ice of snowy Araxes. On an unseemly ass old Silenus attends thee, his swollen temples bound with ivy garlands; while thy wanton initiates lead the mystic revels. Along with thee a troop of Bassarids in Edonian dance beat the ground, now on Mount Pangaeus' peak, now on the top of Thracian Pindus; now midst Cadmean dames has come a maenad, the impious comrade of Ogygian Bacchus, with sacred fawn-skins girt about her loins, her hand a light thyrsus brandishing. Their hearts maddened by thee, the matrons have set their hair a-flowing;

    Roman · hymn
    Bacchus, Liber, Phoebus, Ariadne, Palaemon
    InvocationPraise
    1st c. AD
    →
  6. 006

    Prayer to Priapus

    JULIUS AGATHEMERUS (DEDICATOR) · HYMN TO PRIAPUS, CIL XIV 3565

    Hail, holy Priapus, father of all things, hail! Give me a flourishing youth so that, be it boys be it girls, I can please them with my horny phallus, and with frequent games and jokes, I may dissipate the worries that vex the mind and not fear heavy old age too much, that I not be vexed with terror of miserable death, which will drag me to the jealous mansions of Avernus where their king holds sway over the fabled Manes and the fates deny anyone a return. Hail, holy father Priapus, hail! Come gather at once, however many you all are, you girls who tend the sacred grove, you girls who tend the sacred waters, come gather, however many you are, and with a pleasing voice, speak to beautiful Priapus: Hail, holy Priapus, father of all things! Next, place a thousand kisses on his crotch, gird his phallus well with fragrant wreaths, and once more all say to him: Hail, holy Priapus, father of all things! For warding off evil, blood-stained people, he grants you to go through the woods and through the unbloodied shady silences. He also wards off wrongdoers from the springs, who with illicit foot would walk across the sacred waters and disturb them, who wash their hands and do not first with many a prayer invoke you, you girlish goddesses. All say: O Priapus, be favorable, father, hail, holy father Priapus, hail! O Priapus, potent friend, hail, whether you wish to be called the father and creator of this sphere, or Nature herself and the Universe, hail! For it is by your vigor that everything is conceived which fills the earth, aether and sea. So hail, Priapus, hail, holy one! Jupiter himself, when you wish it, puts down his thunderbolts at once and in his lust leaves his bright dwellings behind. Good Venus, glowing Cupid, the Grace and her twin sisters worship you, as does Lyaeus, the giver of joy. For without you Venus is little regarded, and the Grace, Cupid and Bacchus are without charm. O Priapus, potent friend, hail! Chaste virgins call on you in prayer that you may open their long fastened girdle, and the bride calls you, so that her husband may often have a hard and always a potent member. Hail, holy father Priapus, hail!

    Roman · hymn
    Priapus, the Nymphs, Jupiter, Venus, Cupid, the Graces, Liber
    InvocationPetitionDedication
    early 1st c. AD (ca. 1-50 AD)
    →
  7. 007

    Prayer to Priapus

    PETRONIUS · SATYRICON · 133

    Companion of Bacchus and the Nymphs, to whom lovely Dione gave power over the woodland, whom famed Lesbos and green Thasos obey, whom gold-bearing Lydia worships, whose temple you sited in your very own city of Hypaepa: be with me, O protector of Bacchus, delight of the Dryads, and hear my humble prayer. I do not come to you stained with dark blood, I've not laid hands like some vile enemy on your shrine, but when I was poor, oppressed with want, I committed sin, yet not with my whole body: less guilty he who commits a sin when he's poor. Here's my prayer: unburden my spirit, and forgive the lightest of offences and, whenever some hour of good fortune smiles on me, I'll not suffer your glory to go unhonoured. Sacred one, a horned goat, shall see your altars, the sire of the herd, and a sow's suckling brood of squealers too, in sacrifice. You'll know this year's vintage, and all the young men, tipsy, will tread thrice round your sanctuary, joyously.

    Roman · personal
    Priapus
    PetitionDedicationatonement
    mid 1st c. AD
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  8. 008

    Hymn to Aphrodite

    ANONYMOUS (HOMERIC CORPUS) · HOMERIC HYMNS · 5

    Mousa, tell me the deeds of golden Aphrodite Kypria, who stirs up sweet passion in the gods and subdues the tribes of mortal men and birds that fly in air and all the many creatures that the dry land rears, and all the sea: all these love the deeds of rich-crowned Kythereia... Hail, goddess, queen of well-builded Kypros! With you have I begun; now I will turn me to another hymn.

    Greek · hymn
    Aphrodite
    InvocationPraise
    archaic Greek (7th-4th c. BC)
    →
  9. 009

    Hymn to Aphrodite

    ANONYMOUS (HOMERIC CORPUS) · HOMERIC HYMNS · 10

    Of Kythereia, born in Kypros, I will sing. She gives kindly gifts to men: smiles are ever on her lovely face, and lovely is the brightness that plays over it. Hail, goddess, queen of well-built Salamis and sea-girt Kypros; grant me a cheerful song. And now I will remember you and another song also.

    Greek · hymn
    Aphrodite
    InvocationPetition
    archaic Greek (7th-4th c. BC)
    →
  10. 010

    Hymn to Dionysus and Semele

    ANONYMOUS (HOMERIC CORPUS) · HOMERIC HYMNS · 1

    Be favourable, O Insewn, Inspirer of frenzied women! We singers sing of you as we begin and as we end a strain, and none forgetting you may call holy song to mind. And so, farewell, Dionysos Insewn with your mother Semele whom men call Thyone.

    Greek · hymn
    Dionysus, Semele
    InvocationPraise
    archaic Greek (7th-4th c. BC)
    →
  11. 011

    Hymn to Dionysus Amphietes

    ANONYMOUS (ORPHIC CORPUS) · ORPHIC HYMNS · 53

    Khthonion Dionysos, hear my prayer, rise vigilant with Nymphai of lovely hair: great Bakkhos Amphietos, annual God, who laid asleep in Persephone's abode, her sacred seat, didst lull to drowsy rest the rites triennial and the sacred feast; which roused again by thee, in graceful ring, thy nurses round thee mystic anthems sing; when briskly dancing with rejoicing powers, thou movest in concert with the circling hours. Come blessed, fruitful, horned, and divine, and on this sacred consecration propitious shine; accept the pious incense and the prayer, and make prolific the holy fruits thy care.

    Greek · hymn
    Dionysus, Persephone, the Nymphs
    InvocationPetition
    Hellenistic to Roman imperial (3rd c. BC – 2nd c. AD)
    →
  12. 012

    Hymn to Dionysus Bassareus

    ANONYMOUS (ORPHIC CORPUS) · ORPHIC HYMNS · 45

    Come, blessed Dionysos, various-named, bull-faced, begot from thunder, Bakkhos famed. Bassaros God, of universal might, whom swords and blood and sacred rage delight: in heaven rejoicing, mad, loud-sounding God, furious inspirer, bearer of the rod: by Gods revered, who dwellest with humankind, propitious come, with much rejoicing mind.

    Greek · hymn
    Dionysus
    Invocation
    Hellenistic to Roman imperial (3rd c. BC – 2nd c. AD)
    →
  13. 013

    Hymn to Dionysus Liknites

    ANONYMOUS (ORPHIC CORPUS) · ORPHIC HYMNS · 46

    Liknitos Dionysos, bearer of the vine, thee I invoke to bless these rites divine: florid and gay, of Nymphai the blossom bright, and of fair Aphrodite, Goddess of delight. 'Tis thine mad footsteps with mad Nymphai to beat, dancing through groves with lightly leaping feet: from Zeus' high counsels nursed by Persephoneia, and born the dread of all the powers divine. Come, blessed God, regard thy suppliant's voice, propitious come, and in these rites rejoice.

    Greek · hymn
    Dionysus, Aphrodite, Persephone, the Nymphs
    Invocation
    Hellenistic to Roman imperial (3rd c. BC – 2nd c. AD)
    →
  14. 014

    Hymn to Dionysus Lysios

    ANONYMOUS (ORPHIC CORPUS) · ORPHIC HYMNS · 50

    Hear me, Zeus' son, blest Bakkhos, God of wine, born of two mothers, honoured and divine; Lysios Euios Bakkhos, various-named, of gods the offspring, secret, holy, famed. Fertile and nourishing, whose liberal care augments the fruit that banishes despair. Sounding, magnanimous, Lenaios power, of various-formed, medicinal, holy flower: mortals in thee repose from labour find, delightful charm, desired by all mankind. Fair-haired Euion, Bromios, joyful God, Lysios, insanely raging with the leafy rod. To these our rites, benignant power, incline, when favouring men, or when on Gods you shine; be present to thy mystics' suppliant prayer, rejoicing come, and fruits abundant bear.

    Greek · hymn
    Dionysus
    InvocationPetition
    Hellenistic to Roman imperial (3rd c. BC – 2nd c. AD)
    →
  15. 015

    Hymn to Dionysus Perikionios

    ANONYMOUS (ORPHIC CORPUS) · ORPHIC HYMNS · 47

    Bakkhos Perikionios, hear my prayer, who madest the house of Kadmos once thy care, with matchless force his pillars twining round, when burning thunders shook the solid ground, in flaming, sounding torrents borne along, propped by thy grasp indissolubly strong. Come, mighty Bakkhos, to these rites inclined, and bless thy suppliants with rejoicing mind.

    Greek · hymn
    Dionysus
    InvocationPetition
    Hellenistic to Roman imperial (3rd c. BC – 2nd c. AD)
    →
  16. 016

    Hymn to Dionysus Trieterikos

    ANONYMOUS (ORPHIC CORPUS) · ORPHIC HYMNS · 52

    Bakkhos phrenetic, much named, blessed, divine, bull-horned, Lernaion, bearer of the vine; from fire descended, ranging, Nysion king, from whom initial ceremonies spring. Liknitos, pure and fiery bright, prudent, Eubouleos crown-bearer, wandering in the night; nursed in Mount Mero, all-mysterious power, triple, ineffable, Zeus' secret flower; Erikepaios, first-begotten named, of Gods the father and the offspring famed. Bearing a sceptre, leader of the choir, whose dancing feet phrenetic furies fire, when the triennial band thou dost inspire, Omadion, captor, of a fiery light, born of two mothers, Amphietos bright; love, mountain-wandering, clothed with skins of deer, Paian golden-rayed, whom all revere. Great annual god of grapes, the ivy crowned, Bassaros, lovely, virginlike, renowned. Come, blessed power, regard thy mystic's voice, propitious come, and in these rites rejoice.

    Greek · hymn
    Dionysus
    Invocation
    Hellenistic to Roman imperial (3rd c. BC – 2nd c. AD)
    →
  17. 017

    Prayer to Priapus

    ANONYMOUS · CARMINA PRIAPEA · 37

    Give assistance, Priapus, to the part of which you, father, seem to be a part yourself! If it is made healthy without surgery, a painted one, its equal in size, shape and color, shall be dedicated to you.

    Roman · personal
    Priapus
    PetitionDedication
    1st c. AD
    →