Carved on the temple of Delphoi were three main phrases and a large letter "E": γνῶθι σεαυτόν (know thyself); μηδέν άγαν (nothing in excess) and Ἑγγύα πάρα δ'ἄτη (go surety and ruin is near). Among other things, Epsilon ("E") is the number 5. The remaining maxims were thought lost, but had been preserved scattered in Byzantine and medieval manuscripts as didactic, school material, but we were unable to confirm whether these were the very Delphic inscriptions that stood on the holiest of holy Pythian Shrine to Apollo at Delphoi.
In 1901 Hasluck found a 3rd c. B.C. stela in Miletopolis (Cyzicus, Asia Minor), which bears what had been copied by Sosiades exactly from the Delphic Oracle Temple containing the lost maxims, and was corroborated with relevant Hellenistic-times inscriptions found on another stela as far as the city Aϊ Khanum in Afghanistan in 1966, written by Klearchus himself, Aristotle's pupil, together with the five last commandments of Sosiades on the stela's base. Sosiades' name roughly means "Savior" or "Copier", and Klearchus' name "He who rules (or is ruled) by glory". Sosiades is mentioned in the manuscripts of Ioannes Stobaeos (Anthologium). The editio princeps of the recovered Delphic maxims is: Tsoukalas, M.G., "Ανέκδοτοι φιλολογικοὶ καὶ ἰδιωτικοὶ πάπυροι, Athens 1962, (Phd diss.), 70-80, ΠΙΝΑΞ ΙΧ. The papyrus Tsoukalas' work is based on is a fragment of some of the then thought 147 Delphic commandments, which are allegedly an ancient schoolboy's assignment to copy, kept in the Classical Philology Dpt. of the University of Athens, and you need to implore gods and demons to be allowed to see or touch it. Collectively, today we have 165 Delphic maxims plus another 15 (doubles or paraphrases). Important to note is that none of these aphorisms is a commandment, but advice. Legend has it these inscriptions were made on behalf of the seven sages of antiquity convention to Delphoi, namely Solon of Athens, Chilon of Sparta, Thales of Miletus, Bias of Priene, Cleobulus of Lindos, Pittacus of Mitylene and Periander of Corinth. One should also note that Mahayana Buddhism is possibly based on Greek religion, an amalgam of local and Greek ideals after the indo-Greek Kigndoms, and the only Buddhism that has statues, which are rather Greek-looking. In Tibet there is a myth of the Buddha lifting stones to build a wall using music, much like Apollo does in Greek mythology. These maxims were used by Plato, Aristotle, and Socrates themselves to learn in school, all through Byzantine times. They are philosophically, religiously and culturally the foundation of Greek worldview, and should be used as a starter when learning Greek. They do not claim to be the work of (a) god(s), but beg of you to respect the divine, mankind and yourself and instruct you how to go about it. Unfortunately these are about half of the total number of inscriptions on the Pythian Stela (possibly 300). The English translation is meager and pales in potency:
Τῶν ἐπτά ὑποθήκαι (ἐν Δελφοίς)
Consignment of the Seven (at Delphoi)
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
1. Follow God (Επου θεω)
2. Obey the law (Νομω πειθου)
3. Worship the Gods (Θεους σεβου)
4. Respect your parents (Γονεις αιδου)
5. Be overcome by justice (Ηττω υπο δικαιου)
6. Know what you have learned (Γνωθι μαθων)
7. Perceive what you have heard (Ακουσας νοει)
8. Be/Know Yourself (Σαυτον ισθι)
9. Intend to get married (Γαμειν μελλε)
10. Know your opportunity (Καιρον γνωθι)
11. Think as a mortal (Φρονει θνητα)
12. When you are a stranger be aware of it (Ξενος ων ισθι)
13. Honor the hearth/Hestia (Εστιαν τιμα)
14. Control yourself (Αρχε σεαυτου)
15. Help your friends (Φιλοις βοηθει)
16. Control anger (Θυμου κρατει)
17. Exercise prudence (Φρονησιν ασκει)
18. Honor providence (Προνοιαν τιμα)
19. Do not use an oath (Ορκω μη χρω)
20. Love friendship (Φιλιαν αγαπα)
21. Cling to discipline (Παιδειας αντεχου)
22. Pursue honor (Δοξαν διωκε)
23. Long for wisdom (Σοφιαν ζηλου)
24. Speak well of the beautiful/good (Καλον ευ λεγε)
25. Find fault with no one (Ψεγε μηδενα)
26. Praise those having arête. (Επαινει αρετην)
27. Practice what is just (Πραττε δικαια)
28. Be kind to friends (Θιλοις ευνοει)
29. Watch out for your enemies (Εχθρους αμυνου)
30. Exercise nobility of character (Ευγενειαν ασκει)
31. Shun evil (Κακιας απεχου)
32. Be impartial (Κοινος γινου)
33. Guard what is yours (Ιδια φυλαττε)
34. Shun what belongs to others (Αλλοτριων απεχου)
35. Listen to everyone (Ακουε παντα)
36. Be (religiously) silent (Ευφημος ιοθι)
37. Do a favor for a friend (Φιλω χαριζου)
38. Nothing to excess (Μηδεν αγαν)
39. Use time sparingly (Χρονου φειδου)
40. Foresee the future (Ορα το μελλον)
41. Despise insolence (Υβριν μισει)
42. Have respect for suppliants (Ικετας αιδου)
43. Be accommodating in everything (Παςιν αρμοζου)
44. Educate your sons (Υιους παιδευε)
45. Give what you have (Εχων χαριζου)
46. Fear deceit (Δολον φοβου)
47. Speak well of everyone (Ευλογει παντας)
48. Be a seeker of wisdom (Φιλοσοφος γινου)
49. Choose what is divine (Οσια κρινε)
50. Act when you know (Γνους πραττε)
60. Shun murder (Φονου απεχου)
70. Pray for things possible (Ευχου δυνατα)
71. Consult the wise (Σοφοις χρω)
72. Test the character (Ηθος δοκιμαζε)
73. Give back what you have received (Λαβων αποδος)
74. Down-look no one (Υφορω μηδενα)
75. Use your skill (Τεχνη χρω)
76. Do what you mean to do (Ο μελλεις, δος)
77. Honor a benefaction (Ευεργεςιας τιμα)
78. Be jealous of no one (Φθονει μηδενι)
79. Be on your guard (Φυλακη προσεχε)
80. Praise hope (Ελπιδα αινει)
81. Despise a slanderer (Διαβολην μισει)
82. Gain possessions justly (Δικαιως κτω)
83. Honor good men (Αγαθους τιμα)
84. Know the judge (Κριτην γνωθι)
85. Master wedding-feasts (Γαμους κρατει)
86. Recognize fortune (Τυχην νομιζε)
87. Flee a pledge (Εγγυην φευγε)
88. Speak plainly (Αμλως διαλεγου)
89. Associate with your peers (Ομοιοις χρω)
90. Govern your expenses (Δαπανων αρχου)
91. Be happy with what you have (Κτωμενος ηδου)
92. Revere a sense of shame (Αισχυνην σεβου)
93. Fulfill a favor (Χαριν εκτελει)
94. Pray for happiness (Ευτυχιαν ευχου)
95. Be fond of fortune (Τυχην στεργε)
96. Observe what you have heard (Ακουων ορα)
97. Work for what you can own (Εργαζου κτητα)
98. Despise strife (Εριν μισει)
99. Detest disgrace (Ονειδς εχθαιρε)
100. Restrain the tongue (Γλωτταν ισχε)
101. Keep yourself from insolence (Υβριν αμυνου)
102. Make just judgements (Κρινε δικαια)
103. Use what you have (Χρω χρημασιν)
104. Judge incorruptibly (Αδωροδοκητος δικαζε)
105. Accuse one who is present (Αιτιω παροντα)
106. Tell when you know (Λεγε ειδως)
107. Do not depend on strength (Βιας μη εχου)
108. Live without sorrow (Αλυπως βιου)
109. Live together meekly (Ομιλει πραως)
110. Finish the race without shrinking back (Περας επιτελει μη αποδειλιων)
111. Deal kindly with everyone (Φιλοφρονει πασιν)
112. Do not curse your sons (Υιοις μη καταρω)
113. Rule your wife (Γυναικος αρχε)
114. Benefit yourself (Σεαυτον ευ ποιει)
115. Be courteous (Ευπροσηγορος γινου)
116. Give a timely response (Αποκρινου εν καιρω)
117. Struggle with glory (Πονει μετ ευκλειας)
118. Act without repenting (Πραττε αμετανοητως)
119. Regret falling short of the goal (Αμαρτανων μετανοει)
120. Control the eye (Οφθαλμου κρατει)
121. Give a timely counsel (Βουλευου χρονω)
122. Act quickly (Πραττε συντομως)
123. Guard friendship (Φιλιαν φυλαττε)
124. Be grateful (Ευγνωμων γινου)
125. Pursue harmony (Ομονοιαν διωκε)
126. Keep deeply the top secret (Αρρητον κρυπτε)
127. Fear ruling (Το κρατουν φοβου)
128. Pursue what is profitable (Το συμφερον θηρω)
129. Accept due measure (Καιρον προσδεχου)
130. Do away with enmities (Εχθρας διαλυε)
131. Accept old age (Γηρας προσδεχου)
132. Do not boast in might (Επι ρωμη μη καυχω)
133. Exercise (religious) silence (Ευφημιαν ασκει)
134. Flee enmity (Απεχθειαν φευγε)
135. Acquire wealth justly (Πλουτει δικιως)
136. Do not abandon honor (Δοξαν μη λειπε)
137. Despise evil (Κακιαν μισει)
138. Venture into danger prudently (Κινδυνευε φρονιμως)
139. Do not tire of learning (Μανθανων μη καμνε)
140. Do not stop to be thrifty (Φειδομενος μη λειπε)
141. Admire oracles (Χρησμους θαυμαζε)
142. Love whom you rear (Ους τρεφεις αγαπα)
143. Do not oppose someone absent (Αποντι μη μαχου)
144. Respect the elder (Πρεσβυτερον αιδου)
145. Teach a youngster (Νεωτερον διδασκε)
146. Do not trust wealth (Πλουτω απιστει)
147. Respect yourself (Σεαυτον αιδου)
148. Do not begin to be insolent (Μη αρχε υβριζειν)
149. Crown your ancestors (Προγονους στεφανου)
150. Die for your country (Θνησκε υπερ πατριδος)
151. Do not be discontented by life (Τω βιω μη αχθου)
152. Do not make fun of the dead (Επι νεκρω μη γελα)
153. Share the load of the unfortunate (Ατυχουντι συναχθου)
154. Gratify without harming (Χαριζου αβλαβως)
155. Grieve for no one (Μη επι παντι λυπου)
156. Beget from noble routes (Εξ ευγενων γεννα)
157. Make promises to no one (Επαγγελου μηδενι)
158. Do not wrong the dead (Φθιμενους μη αδικει)
159. Be well off as a mortal (Ευ πασχε ως θνητος)
160. Do not trust fortune (Τυχη μη πιστευε)
161. As a child be well-behaved (Παις ων κοσμιος ισθι)
162. As a youth be self-disciplined (ηβων εγκρατης)
163. As of middle-age be just (μεσος δικαιος)
164. Once an old man be sensible (πρεσβυτης ευλογος)
165. Reaching the end without sorrow (τελευτων αλυπος)
Additional lines from article (page 76) as found inscribed on different stones or papyrus sources:
4. Obey the virtuous
11. Live without sorrow
13. Avoid the unjust
14. Testify what is right
15. Control pleasure
22. Praise virtue
27. Train your relatives
55. Believe in time
56. Receive for the pleasure
57. Prostrate before the divine
60. Do not boast in might
62. Use/be acquainted with the one who has the same interests as you.
64. Be embarrassed to lie
66. If you believe in something do not be scared to act for it
68. Be firm on what has been agreed
http://www.jstor.org/pss/20185842
http://www.flyallnight.com/khaire/DelphicMaxims/DelphicMaxims_CB63-1987.pdf
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfWR9cHNswc
In 1901 Hasluck found a 3rd c. B.C. stela in Miletopolis (Cyzicus, Asia Minor), which bears what had been copied by Sosiades exactly from the Delphic Oracle Temple containing the lost maxims, and was corroborated with relevant Hellenistic-times inscriptions found on another stela as far as the city Aϊ Khanum in Afghanistan in 1966, written by Klearchus himself, Aristotle's pupil, together with the five last commandments of Sosiades on the stela's base. Sosiades' name roughly means "Savior" or "Copier", and Klearchus' name "He who rules (or is ruled) by glory". Sosiades is mentioned in the manuscripts of Ioannes Stobaeos (Anthologium). The editio princeps of the recovered Delphic maxims is: Tsoukalas, M.G., "Ανέκδοτοι φιλολογικοὶ καὶ ἰδιωτικοὶ πάπυροι, Athens 1962, (Phd diss.), 70-80, ΠΙΝΑΞ ΙΧ. The papyrus Tsoukalas' work is based on is a fragment of some of the then thought 147 Delphic commandments, which are allegedly an ancient schoolboy's assignment to copy, kept in the Classical Philology Dpt. of the University of Athens, and you need to implore gods and demons to be allowed to see or touch it. Collectively, today we have 165 Delphic maxims plus another 15 (doubles or paraphrases). Important to note is that none of these aphorisms is a commandment, but advice. Legend has it these inscriptions were made on behalf of the seven sages of antiquity convention to Delphoi, namely Solon of Athens, Chilon of Sparta, Thales of Miletus, Bias of Priene, Cleobulus of Lindos, Pittacus of Mitylene and Periander of Corinth. One should also note that Mahayana Buddhism is possibly based on Greek religion, an amalgam of local and Greek ideals after the indo-Greek Kigndoms, and the only Buddhism that has statues, which are rather Greek-looking. In Tibet there is a myth of the Buddha lifting stones to build a wall using music, much like Apollo does in Greek mythology. These maxims were used by Plato, Aristotle, and Socrates themselves to learn in school, all through Byzantine times. They are philosophically, religiously and culturally the foundation of Greek worldview, and should be used as a starter when learning Greek. They do not claim to be the work of (a) god(s), but beg of you to respect the divine, mankind and yourself and instruct you how to go about it. Unfortunately these are about half of the total number of inscriptions on the Pythian Stela (possibly 300). The English translation is meager and pales in potency:
Τῶν ἐπτά ὑποθήκαι (ἐν Δελφοίς)
Consignment of the Seven (at Delphoi)
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
1. Follow God (Επου θεω)
2. Obey the law (Νομω πειθου)
3. Worship the Gods (Θεους σεβου)
4. Respect your parents (Γονεις αιδου)
5. Be overcome by justice (Ηττω υπο δικαιου)
6. Know what you have learned (Γνωθι μαθων)
7. Perceive what you have heard (Ακουσας νοει)
8. Be/Know Yourself (Σαυτον ισθι)
9. Intend to get married (Γαμειν μελλε)
10. Know your opportunity (Καιρον γνωθι)
11. Think as a mortal (Φρονει θνητα)
12. When you are a stranger be aware of it (Ξενος ων ισθι)
13. Honor the hearth/Hestia (Εστιαν τιμα)
14. Control yourself (Αρχε σεαυτου)
15. Help your friends (Φιλοις βοηθει)
16. Control anger (Θυμου κρατει)
17. Exercise prudence (Φρονησιν ασκει)
18. Honor providence (Προνοιαν τιμα)
19. Do not use an oath (Ορκω μη χρω)
20. Love friendship (Φιλιαν αγαπα)
21. Cling to discipline (Παιδειας αντεχου)
22. Pursue honor (Δοξαν διωκε)
23. Long for wisdom (Σοφιαν ζηλου)
24. Speak well of the beautiful/good (Καλον ευ λεγε)
25. Find fault with no one (Ψεγε μηδενα)
26. Praise those having arête. (Επαινει αρετην)
27. Practice what is just (Πραττε δικαια)
28. Be kind to friends (Θιλοις ευνοει)
29. Watch out for your enemies (Εχθρους αμυνου)
30. Exercise nobility of character (Ευγενειαν ασκει)
31. Shun evil (Κακιας απεχου)
32. Be impartial (Κοινος γινου)
33. Guard what is yours (Ιδια φυλαττε)
34. Shun what belongs to others (Αλλοτριων απεχου)
35. Listen to everyone (Ακουε παντα)
36. Be (religiously) silent (Ευφημος ιοθι)
37. Do a favor for a friend (Φιλω χαριζου)
38. Nothing to excess (Μηδεν αγαν)
39. Use time sparingly (Χρονου φειδου)
40. Foresee the future (Ορα το μελλον)
41. Despise insolence (Υβριν μισει)
42. Have respect for suppliants (Ικετας αιδου)
43. Be accommodating in everything (Παςιν αρμοζου)
44. Educate your sons (Υιους παιδευε)
45. Give what you have (Εχων χαριζου)
46. Fear deceit (Δολον φοβου)
47. Speak well of everyone (Ευλογει παντας)
48. Be a seeker of wisdom (Φιλοσοφος γινου)
49. Choose what is divine (Οσια κρινε)
50. Act when you know (Γνους πραττε)
60. Shun murder (Φονου απεχου)
70. Pray for things possible (Ευχου δυνατα)
71. Consult the wise (Σοφοις χρω)
72. Test the character (Ηθος δοκιμαζε)
73. Give back what you have received (Λαβων αποδος)
74. Down-look no one (Υφορω μηδενα)
75. Use your skill (Τεχνη χρω)
76. Do what you mean to do (Ο μελλεις, δος)
77. Honor a benefaction (Ευεργεςιας τιμα)
78. Be jealous of no one (Φθονει μηδενι)
79. Be on your guard (Φυλακη προσεχε)
80. Praise hope (Ελπιδα αινει)
81. Despise a slanderer (Διαβολην μισει)
82. Gain possessions justly (Δικαιως κτω)
83. Honor good men (Αγαθους τιμα)
84. Know the judge (Κριτην γνωθι)
85. Master wedding-feasts (Γαμους κρατει)
86. Recognize fortune (Τυχην νομιζε)
87. Flee a pledge (Εγγυην φευγε)
88. Speak plainly (Αμλως διαλεγου)
89. Associate with your peers (Ομοιοις χρω)
90. Govern your expenses (Δαπανων αρχου)
91. Be happy with what you have (Κτωμενος ηδου)
92. Revere a sense of shame (Αισχυνην σεβου)
93. Fulfill a favor (Χαριν εκτελει)
94. Pray for happiness (Ευτυχιαν ευχου)
95. Be fond of fortune (Τυχην στεργε)
96. Observe what you have heard (Ακουων ορα)
97. Work for what you can own (Εργαζου κτητα)
98. Despise strife (Εριν μισει)
99. Detest disgrace (Ονειδς εχθαιρε)
100. Restrain the tongue (Γλωτταν ισχε)
101. Keep yourself from insolence (Υβριν αμυνου)
102. Make just judgements (Κρινε δικαια)
103. Use what you have (Χρω χρημασιν)
104. Judge incorruptibly (Αδωροδοκητος δικαζε)
105. Accuse one who is present (Αιτιω παροντα)
106. Tell when you know (Λεγε ειδως)
107. Do not depend on strength (Βιας μη εχου)
108. Live without sorrow (Αλυπως βιου)
109. Live together meekly (Ομιλει πραως)
110. Finish the race without shrinking back (Περας επιτελει μη αποδειλιων)
111. Deal kindly with everyone (Φιλοφρονει πασιν)
112. Do not curse your sons (Υιοις μη καταρω)
113. Rule your wife (Γυναικος αρχε)
114. Benefit yourself (Σεαυτον ευ ποιει)
115. Be courteous (Ευπροσηγορος γινου)
116. Give a timely response (Αποκρινου εν καιρω)
117. Struggle with glory (Πονει μετ ευκλειας)
118. Act without repenting (Πραττε αμετανοητως)
119. Regret falling short of the goal (Αμαρτανων μετανοει)
120. Control the eye (Οφθαλμου κρατει)
121. Give a timely counsel (Βουλευου χρονω)
122. Act quickly (Πραττε συντομως)
123. Guard friendship (Φιλιαν φυλαττε)
124. Be grateful (Ευγνωμων γινου)
125. Pursue harmony (Ομονοιαν διωκε)
126. Keep deeply the top secret (Αρρητον κρυπτε)
127. Fear ruling (Το κρατουν φοβου)
128. Pursue what is profitable (Το συμφερον θηρω)
129. Accept due measure (Καιρον προσδεχου)
130. Do away with enmities (Εχθρας διαλυε)
131. Accept old age (Γηρας προσδεχου)
132. Do not boast in might (Επι ρωμη μη καυχω)
133. Exercise (religious) silence (Ευφημιαν ασκει)
134. Flee enmity (Απεχθειαν φευγε)
135. Acquire wealth justly (Πλουτει δικιως)
136. Do not abandon honor (Δοξαν μη λειπε)
137. Despise evil (Κακιαν μισει)
138. Venture into danger prudently (Κινδυνευε φρονιμως)
139. Do not tire of learning (Μανθανων μη καμνε)
140. Do not stop to be thrifty (Φειδομενος μη λειπε)
141. Admire oracles (Χρησμους θαυμαζε)
142. Love whom you rear (Ους τρεφεις αγαπα)
143. Do not oppose someone absent (Αποντι μη μαχου)
144. Respect the elder (Πρεσβυτερον αιδου)
145. Teach a youngster (Νεωτερον διδασκε)
146. Do not trust wealth (Πλουτω απιστει)
147. Respect yourself (Σεαυτον αιδου)
148. Do not begin to be insolent (Μη αρχε υβριζειν)
149. Crown your ancestors (Προγονους στεφανου)
150. Die for your country (Θνησκε υπερ πατριδος)
151. Do not be discontented by life (Τω βιω μη αχθου)
152. Do not make fun of the dead (Επι νεκρω μη γελα)
153. Share the load of the unfortunate (Ατυχουντι συναχθου)
154. Gratify without harming (Χαριζου αβλαβως)
155. Grieve for no one (Μη επι παντι λυπου)
156. Beget from noble routes (Εξ ευγενων γεννα)
157. Make promises to no one (Επαγγελου μηδενι)
158. Do not wrong the dead (Φθιμενους μη αδικει)
159. Be well off as a mortal (Ευ πασχε ως θνητος)
160. Do not trust fortune (Τυχη μη πιστευε)
161. As a child be well-behaved (Παις ων κοσμιος ισθι)
162. As a youth be self-disciplined (ηβων εγκρατης)
163. As of middle-age be just (μεσος δικαιος)
164. Once an old man be sensible (πρεσβυτης ευλογος)
165. Reaching the end without sorrow (τελευτων αλυπος)
Additional lines from article (page 76) as found inscribed on different stones or papyrus sources:
4. Obey the virtuous
11. Live without sorrow
13. Avoid the unjust
14. Testify what is right
15. Control pleasure
22. Praise virtue
27. Train your relatives
55. Believe in time
56. Receive for the pleasure
57. Prostrate before the divine
60. Do not boast in might
62. Use/be acquainted with the one who has the same interests as you.
64. Be embarrassed to lie
66. If you believe in something do not be scared to act for it
68. Be firm on what has been agreed
http://www.jstor.org/pss/20185842
http://www.flyallnight.com/khaire/DelphicMaxims/DelphicMaxims_CB63-1987.pdf
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfWR9cHNswc
lovely , it is not easy to follow rules and regulations . but thanks to my friend Dimitris to show me this .
ReplyDelete