Revision History

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5/29/2020, 9:30 PM Mike C update #108
12/8/2017, 12:41 PM Mike C update #97
7/2/2017, 10:39 PM Mike C update #95
2/12/2007, 1:03 AM Mike C earliest recorded revision

Gender Masculine
Scripts Ὀρφεύς(Ancient Greek)
Pronounced Pron. OR-PEWS(Classical Greek) AWR-fee-əs(English)

Meaning & History

Perhaps related to Greek ὄρφνη (orphne) meaning "the darkness of night". In Greek mythology Orpheus was a poet and musician who went to the underworld to retrieve his dead wife Eurydice. He succeeded in charming Hades with his lyre, and he was allowed to lead his wife out of the underworld on the condition that he not look back at her until they reached the surface. Unfortunately, just before they arrived his love for her overcame his will and he glanced back at her, causing her to be drawn back to Hades.