Is following the delphic maxims necessary? I have the pillars of hellenismos, but the delphic maxims don't resonate with me! I'm a revivalist, so I'm not as traditional as others, but idk
I’m a reconstructionist (or at least recon-leaning), so I can’t speak on what revivalists should or shouldn’t do. As far as I’m aware, that’s more or less up to you. But from a reconstructionist point of view, here’s my opinion: following the Delphic Maxims is useful, but strictly adhering to them and using them as the be-all-end-all of your beliefs is unnecessary. This is simply because the Delphic Maxims were never a universal code of behaviour, like the Ten Commandments or the Pillars of Islam. They’re simply sayings attributed to Apollon. Hardly any ancient authors even refer to them, and they don’t seem to have been regularly used as a source on how to behave morally.
But bearing this in mind, I would still argue that the Delphic Maxims should be used as general guidance. They express many important values of Hellenic polytheism, and Ancient Greek culture in general: #3 worship the Gods, #8 know yourself, #42 have respect for suppliants, etc. While you may not want to follow all of them (*cough* #95 rule your wife *cough*), most still reflect the basic code of behaviour that we, as Hellenic polytheists, should emulate. In essence, they’re also not that different from Timothy Jay Alexander’s Pillars of Hellenismos:
Ethike Arete (the practise of habitual excellence) is expressed in #8 know yourself, #14 control yourself, #21 cling to discipline, #27 practise what is just…
Eusebeia (reverence, loyalty, and sense of duty towards the Gods) is expressed in #3 worship the Gods, #13 honour the hearth/Hestia, #123 admire oracles…
Xenia (adherence to hospitality and the guest-host relationship) is expressed in #12 if you are a stranger act like one, #42 have respect for suppliants, #93 deal kindly with everyone…
and so on
I would even argue that Alexander used the Delphic Maxims as one of his sources for the Pillars of Hellenismos (it’s worth mentioning that the Pillars are a modern invention, meant to identify the main values expressed in ancient texts).
So all that said, as a revivalist, what to follow is up to you; but if you want a clear, ancient source on Hellenic values, the Delphic Maxims are a useful place to look to, or at least to draw inspiration from.















