Orpheus

The most skillful musician in ancient Greece; the son of the Muse, Kalliope (Calliope).

Orpheus’ ability as a musician was so profound that he was said to have moved the boulders and changed the course of rivers simply by playing the lyre; he charmed the oak trees of his native province of Pieria and marched them to Thrake (Thrace) where they still stand in close order.

When his beloved wife, Eurydike (Eurydice), died he followed her into the Underworld; his wit and talent charmed Hades (lord of the Underworld) and Orpheus was allowed to return Eurydike to the surface of the earth provided that he lead the way and not look back to see if Eurydike was following him; at the very last moment Orpheus was compelled to look around and, by doing so, Eurydike was returned to the land of the dead and lost to Orpheus until he also died.

When Iason (Jason) formed a band of heroes to join him in the quest for the Golden Fleece, Orpheus became an Argonaut and on several occasions saved the crew-members from certain doom; when their ship, the Argo, came near the island of the Sirens, Orpheus played such beautiful melodies on the lyre that the sailors, with two exceptions, were able to maintain their wits and not be tempted by the Siren song.

• Argonautika, book 1, lines 23, 33-34, 495, 540, 915 and 1134; book 2, lines 161, 685 and 928; book 4, lines 905, 1160, 1409 and 1547