“NOTHING IN EXCESS” - THE ORACLE AS AN AGENT OF SOCIAL AND RELIGIOUS COHESION IN ANCIENT GREECE
“NOTHING IN EXCESS” - THE ORACLE AS AN AGENT OF SOCIAL AND RELIGIOUS COHESION IN ANCIENT GREECE

Summary/Abstract: The dictum “μηδὲν ἄγαν” (nothing in excess) carved at the entrance in the great sanctuary from Delphi emphasizes the role of “moderator” that religion overtook within the political and social life of the Greek cities. The appeal to the oracles that could be found in the great sanctuaries was used for times of war, for the foundation of new colonies, the creation of a new legislation, in case of famine, epidemic or other social problems. To consult the will of gods was a sine qua non for the ancient man and that is why sanctuaries such as the one from Delphi played an important political role, as a meeting place for the cities that were involved in a conflict and a proper space for the development of new ideas and artistic concepts. Today, when there is a division not only at the level of the laic society, but especially within Christianity, there is the need to rethink the manner of interaction with the society. The first step to this respect would be to create a common front between all the Christian churches, to adopt a position regarding the problems that the world faces nowadays and to offer solutions. The lack of unity leads to a decrease of credibility in the face of the society. Pindar thought that a sanctuary was truly panhellenic if it was open to everybody, despite their political or religious affiliation. If such ideas were possible during Antiquity, it should all the more be put into practice by each Christian church. Despite the form it took over the ages, the religious offered the environment for the development of the social institutions and structures. Only when religion started to compromise, abdicating from its values, its voice was no longer heard. The same happened with the Greek oracles when political and religious neutrality was no longer respected.

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