Many recent discoveries have confirmed the importance of Orphism for ancient Greek religion
philosophy and literature. Its nature and role are still however among the most debated
problems of Classical scholarship. A cornerstone of the question is its relationship to
Christianity which modern authors have too often discussed from apologetic perspectives or
projections of the Christian model into its supposed precedent. Besides modern approaches are
strongly based on ancient ones since Orpheus and the poems and mysteries attributed to him
were fundamental in the religious controversies of Late Antiquity. Both Pagan and Christian
authors often present Orphism as a precedent alternative or imitation of Chistianity.This free
and thorough study of the ancient sources sheds light on these controversial questions. The
presence of the Orphic tradition in Imperial Age documented by literary and epigraphical
evidence is confronted with the informations transmitted by Christian apologists on Orphic
poems and cults. The manifold Christian treatments of Pagan sources and their particular value
to understand Greek religion are illuminated by this specific case which exemplifies the
complex encounter between Classical culture and Jewish-Christian tradition.
