Description
Orpheus is one of the most important figures in Greek mythology. Although he is not primarily ranked among the Olympian gods, he appears as a semi-divine singer, founder of the mysteries and patron of the arts. He was the son of the Thracian king Oiagra and the Muse Calliope. He received the gift of an exceptional voice from his mother, and was taught to play the seven-stringed lyre by the god Apollo. With his art, he was able to charm not only people, but also wild animals, trees and even make stones move.
The most famous mythical narrative is related to his marriage to the nymph Eurydice. After Eurydice died after being bitten by a snake, Orpheus went to the underworld to find her. With his singing, he softened the ruler of Hades himself and his wife Persephone. He won Eurydice back on the condition that he was not allowed to look back on his way back to the surface of the earth. However, just before reaching the light, he succumbed to doubts, looked back, and Eurydice returned forever to the realm of the dead.
