DODONA (sanctuary in Molossis)
Ancient Greek sanctuary and oracle
- Kind of place
- Sanctuary
- Region
- Molossis
- Patron
- Zeus
- Landmarks
- Sacred Precincts (Zeus) Athenaeus 5.35; Oak-grove (Zeus) Herodotus 2.55.2
- Where
- 39.55° N, 20.79° E
Dodona is described as an ancient and famous oracle. Strabo 7.7.5 The high oak tree at Dodona was used to learn the mind of Zeus. Odyssey 14 ¶17 The site at Dodona includes an oak-grove. Fragments of Unknown Position fr. 14
Described in the sources
A sanctuary and oracle dedicated to Zeus is located at Dodona. Aeschylus, Prometheus Bound 819-845 +4 Dodona is described as the dwelling place of the Pelasgi, who established the oracle there and originally owned the temple. Fragments of Unknown Position fr. 14 +2 The sanctuary was located below the mountain known as Tomarus or Tmarus. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 4.3 ¶1 +1 Ulysses traveled to Dodona to consult the high oak tree about Zeus's will. Odyssey 14 ¶17 +1 The oracle of Dodona was located within the territory of the Molotti people. Strabo 7.7.11 +1 Dodona is located in the land of Thesprotia. Euripides, The Phoenician Maidens 960-990 Dodona is described as the mother of forests. Statius, Thebaid 3.105-132 ¶1 The fountain of Jupiter is located at Dodona. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 2.106 ¶4 Dodona is described as having a holy threshold. Euripides, The Phoenician Maidens 960-990 A seer named Scirus originated from this location. Pausanias 1.36.4
Gods and worship
Ancients hurried to Dodona to consult oracles and obtain divine advice, and the oracle there is revered by men. Strabo 16.2.38 +1 The shrine was dedicated to divination from Zeus. Herodotus 2.55.2 A god at Dodona is expected to send Menoeceus on his way. Euripides, The Phoenician Maidens 960-990 The verses chanted at the site praised Zeus and Earth as Mother. Pausanias 10.12.10 Men deliver oracles at this place specifically for the Boeotians. Strabo 9.2.4 The oaks at Dodona greeted the speaker as the future bride of Zeus. Aeschylus, Prometheus Bound 819-845
Stories and history
A piece of wood from an oak at Dodona was placed in the prow of the ship Argo. Apollodorus 1.9.16 +1 The oracle was transferred to Dodona after people burned down a tree at the previous site. Herodotus 4.33.2 +1 The oracle at this site instructed the Pelasgians to use the foreign names for their gods, which the Greeks consulted to learn the names of the gods. Herodotus 2.52.2 +1 The spring dries up completely at noon. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 2.106 ¶4 Zeus chose Dodona to serve as his oracle. The Catalogues of Women and Eoiae fr. 97 The spring becomes full again at midnight. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 2.106 ¶4 The water in the fountain is as cold as ice. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 2.106 ¶4 An oak tree sacred to the god is found at the site. Pausanias 1.17.5 Small bones were suspended from the brazen scourge. Strabo 7.fragments.3 Visitors bring gifts to question the god at Dodona. The Catalogues of Women and Eoiae fr. 97