ARETALOGIA ANTINOI (ARETOLOGY OF ANTINOUS)

by Phillupus

An aretalogy is a Greek term for a hymn which describes the attributes and virtues of a particular deity (from Greek arete, "virtue/manly deed"). Some of these have survived from the ancient world, one of which is an aretalogy of Isis, which exists in Greek and was said to be copied from a stele outside the temple of Hephaestus in Memphis (i.e. the temple of Ptah), and the following one is based roughly on that model. The meter and schema was adapted from a Sufi hymn. The translation is given following the text below, because it is meant to be performed primarily in Latin.

Antinous sum, amator Divi Hadriani Imperatoris Romae, pontificis maximi, epoptes Eleusis, Regis Aegypti Inferioris et Superioris; eductus Romae in litteris Latina et Graeco, et sic Novus Deus Hermes sum;

Navigator Scaphae Annorum Decies Centena Millia sum Antinous

Filius Mantinoeiae, genii Arcadii
Liberus Bithyniae, flora Rhebas

Stella obscura captus in Aquila
Rejuvenator fluminis Nili

Venator Leonis Mauretaniae
Armatus cum calamo florae hasta

Rubra flora flammae aquaeque
Imago beata super piscinam

Navigator Scaphae Annorum Decies
Centena Millia sum Antinous

Synthronos cum deis Aegypto
Divinatus sum aqua Nili

Equos maximos frenaverus
Firmus in grecem canum sum

Innocens peccati Actaeonis
Spiritus qui conjugans viros cunctos

Beatus et Frugiferus sum
Invictus Iuvenis sum Antinous

Navigator Scaphae Annorum Decies
Centena Millia sum Antinous

Heros sum Propylaios
Deus Amabilis apellatus

Verba poetis datus sum
Celebratus cursibus et remis

Mysteriis exclusis aperiveram
Oraculo nominis mei responderam

Congressio deorum multi
Dominus Infernorum apellatus

Navigator Scaphae Annorum Decies
Centena Millia sum Antinous

Requiem pueris datus sum
Salvator sum morienti

Amicus Dianae Reginae sum
Gratiae Divae Sabinae dico

Cum Achilleo sto Patrocloque
Phratrias et Ecclesias ordinateram

Distributor Pacis Profundi
Liberator a vexatione

Navigator Scaphae Annorum Decies
Centena Millia sum Antinous

I am Antinous, lover of Divus Hadrianus, emperor of Rome, pontifex maximus, epoptes of Eleusis, king of Upper and Lower Egypt;
I was educated in Rome in letters both Greek and Latin, and thus am the New God Hermes;

I am Antinous, the Navigator
Of the Boat of Millions of Years

I am the son of Mantinoë, of Arcadian stock;
I am the child of Bithynia, flower of the Rhebas

I am the dark star grasped in Aquila;
I am the rejuvenator of the Nile

I am the hunter of the Mauretanian lion;
I am armed with flower-stem as spear

I am the red flower of fire and water;
I am the reflection upon the pool

I am Antinous, the Navigator
Of the Boat of Millions of Years

I am enthroned with the gods of Egypt;
I am made divine by the Nile’s waters

I have reined the greatest of horses;
I am strong in packs of hounds

I am innocent of Actaeon’s fault;
I am the spirit which joins men together

I am Beautiful and Fruitful;
I am Antinous, Undefeated Youth

I am Antinous, the Navigator
Of the Boat of Millions of Years

I am the Hero Before-the-Gates
I am called Deus Amabilis [“the Lovely God”]

I have given words to the poets;
I am celebrated with races and rowing [lit. “by oars”]

I have revealed mysteries to those excluded from them;
I have given answers through the oracle of my name

I am the meeting-place of many gods;
I am called “Lord” in the Underworld

Of the Boat of Millions of Years

I am the Savior to the dying

I am the friend of Queen Diana;
I speak for the favor of Diva Sabina

I stand with Achilleus and Patroklos;
I have organized phratriae and ecclesiae

I am the giver of profound peace;
I am the Liberator from oppression

I am Antinous, the Navigator
Of the Boat of Millions of Years