Orpheus is one of the most fascinating figures in Greek mythology.

His name
remained consistently surrounded by mystery just like his cult. Even the Greeks were
not sure when he was born or whether he actually existed.

Orpheus is famous as the greatest poet and musician of all time. A series of early
hymns and texts are attributed to him as well as the epic Argonautica Orphica.
Orpheus was a musician, poet and prophet in Greek mythology. His parents were the
king of Thrace Oeagrus and the Muse Calliope. As he grew older, it became apparent
that Orpheus was extremely gifted musically. He could play any instrument perfectly
and his singing voice was so beautiful that it could charm animals, trees and even
rocks.

When he was grown, Orpheus journeyed to Olympus to meet Apollo, god of music.
Apollo was so impressed with Orpheus that he gave him the lyre and taught him how
to play. With his new instrument in hand, Orpheus returned to Thrace where he
quickly became famous for his music. Everyone who heard him play or sing fell
instantly in love with him, including Eurydice.

Orpheus and Euridice

Orpheus and Eurydice got married and were living a happy life until something tragic
happened. Eurydice was having a stroll, when a satyr tried to rape her. She tried to
avoid him, but she fell into a nest of vipers and she was fatally bitten. Orpheus found
his wife's body and due to his grief, started singing the most mournful songs. The
nymphs and the gods started weeping upon hearing Orpheus' songs, and advised
him to go to the Underworld and bring his wife back.

Orpheus at the Underworld

Orpheus indeed followed their advice and met with the god of the Underworld
Hades and his wife Persephone. He pleaded to let him take his wife back, and after
singing to them, their hearts were softened so much that they agreed. However,
they told him not to look back until they had reached the surface. They started
walking towards the surface; when Orpheus reached the opening of the cave with his
wife following, he looked back, anxious to see if Eurydice was behind him. As she had
not yet reached the opening though, she disappeared back into the Underworld
forever.

Orpheus was said to have invented the lyre, which was a stringed instrument that
was played with a plectrum. The myth goes that Hermes, the messenger god, found
a tortoise shell while he was out wandering and decided to make it into a musical
instrument. He gave it to Apollo, who then taught Orpheus how to play it. Orpheus
quickly became renowned for his musical abilities, and he used his lyre to charm
animals and rocks alike.

Orpheus and the Argonauts

Another famous story about Orpheus is his involvement with the Argonauts. The
Argonauts were a band of heroes who sailed on a ship called the Argo in order to
retrieve the Golden Fleece. On their journey, they encountered many challenges,
including having to pass through the Symplegades—a pair of rocks that would crash
together whenever anything tried to sail between them. According to legend,
Orpheus played his lyre so beautifully that the rocks stopped crashing together long
enough for the Argonauts to sail through safely.

Orpheus' Death
Orpheus, during the end of his life, worshipped no gods except the sun, whom he
called Apollo. One day, he went to pay tribute to the sun near the oracle of Dionysus.
However, he was caught by the Maenads and killed for being an infidel to the god
Dionysus. Although Orpheus died a tragic death, his legacy as a musician and poet
has lived on through the ages.