Orphica A short Jewish poem that presents itself as esoteric Greek teaching. It was likely composed in the second century bc. It is often grouped with the Old Testament Pseudepigrapha, since it is nonbiblical Jewish writing from the same period.

This poem presents itself as teaching from the legendary Greek figure Orpheus to his son Musaeus. The longest of several preserved versions, and possibly most original, is found in Eusebius (Preparation for the Gospel 13.12.5), who says that he found it quoted in the writings of the Jewish author Aristobulus. Eusebius’ attribution together with some aspects of the poem’s content indicate that the author was probably in fact Jewish, and not a follower of Orphic religion, despite the ascription to Orpheus. If Eusebius’ attribution of his source is correct, then the Orphica must already have existed when Aristobulus wrote, likely in the second century bc.