Definition:

The Sanctuary of Zeus at Dodona was located in Epirus [See Map section Bc]. It was the site of the oldest prehistoric (2d millennium B.C.) Greek oracle, but it lost out in importance to the Pythian priestess at Delphi [See Map section Dd], because the younger site was more accessible. By oracle was meant that the priestesses (called doves) interpreted the rustling of the leaves of the sacred oak tree and the sounds of the doves.

One of the legends about the oracle at Dodona is that the ship Jason and the Argonauts sailed, the Argo, had the gift of prophecy because it contained a piece of Dodona's sacred tree.

The founding legend tells of a dove that flew to the site and spoke words enough to tell those present that it was "a place of divination for Zeus."

See Portrait of a Priestess, (80), for more on the founding legend.

Go to Other Ancient / Classical History Glossary pages beginning with the letter

a | b | c | d | e | f | g | h | i | j | k | l | m | n | o | p | q | r | s | t | u | v | wxyz
Examples: Herodotus 2.52 says about the antiquity of the oracle at Dodona, "and after a time the Pelasgians consulted the Oracle at Dodona about the names, for this prophetic seat is accounted to be the most ancient of the Oracles which are among the Hellenes, and at that time it was the only one."