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Chelys

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Chelys

Objects · Myth & story

A named tortoise-shell lyre of Greek story and later image. Not the harp of Orpheus, not a kantele, and not a generic lyre.

Also known as Chelys lyre

Hellenic religion

Chelys appears in Hellenic religion.
The Homeric Hymn to Hermes has Hermes make the tortoise-shell lyre, the chelys. A named hymnic instrument, not the harp of Orpheus and not Talaria from the same hymn.
from Anonymous (Homeric hymn) · Homeric Hymn to Hermes, c. 6th–5th century BCE
appears in · sourced · documented
Chelys is sacred to Hermes.
The Homeric Hymn to Hermes has the god make the tortoise-lyre. A named first lyre of that god, not the harp of Orpheus, and not a generic lyre.
from Anonymous (Homeric hymn) · Homeric Hymn to Hermes, c. 6th–5th century BCE
sacred to · sourced · documented

sources

Homeric Hymn to Hermes · Anonymous (Homeric hymn)
Homeric Hymn 4, to Hermes.