The sanctuary of Dodoni | Greece's first oracle

Although Delphi became the most famous oracle of the Ancient World, capturing the imagination of millions over the millennia, the origins of cult lie further north. Today, the crumbling ruins of Dodoni, located in Greece’s beautiful Epirus region, bear witness to these mythical early days of prophecy.

During times of internal strife, in a desperate quest for enlightenment, ancient Greeks would flock to the rugged slopes of Mount Parnassus in the historic region of Phocis. At Delphi, the navel of the world, they sought to find answers to their woes and to calm their aching sorrows through the divine prophecies of Pythia: high priestess of Apollo. So great was her reputation that people from all corners of the classical world braved the arduous pilgrimage to ponder her cryptic remarks.

Yet, though Delphi basked in the limelight, the roots of divination reached far deeper.

Long before the coming of Zeus and the emergence of pantheon in the Greek conscience, the ancient people that inhabited the forested valleys of Pindos started to venerate Gaia, also known as Mother Earth, or the Great Goddess. Associated with fertility, prophecy, and tree-worship, excavations have confirmed that the oldest known oracle shrine began to operate in Dodoni; nearly 5000 years ago.

Entrance Fee | General admission: 4€ | Students (under 26): free

Opening Hours | Winter 8:30-15:30 | Summer 8:00-20:00 | open every day

When the Thesprotoi tribe migrated to Epirus in the 2nd millennium BCE, introducing the worship of Zeus in their wake, old and new merged. Gaia became Dione, deriving from dias (=Zeus), in turn transferring her qualities, among them divination, to her newfound husband. Henceforth, the ethereal couple dwelled beneath a sacred oak tree, worshiped by the pious settlers of these verdant swaths.

“…two black doves took off from Thebes in Egypt, one of which flew to Libya, while the other came to them in Dodoni. It perched on an oak tree and spoke in a human voice, telling the people of Dodoni that there ought to be an oracle of Zeus there”

Herodotus, The Histories, II.55

Those connected to the gods, the sacred diviners, were known as selli or helli. By studying the rustling of leaves, the flight of the doves nesting in the branches, and the crackling sound of the bronze cauldrons surrounding the holy site, they interpreted the will of the gods and conveyed it to the remaining mortals. By not washing their feet and sleeping on the ground, they stayed connected with Gaia and the age-old roots of their pagan religion. Offerings were either hung on branches or placed around the oak, while questions were engraved on thin lead sheets brought forth by individuals, groups, or even entire towns.

Throughout the following centuries, the sanctuary witnessed substantial growth, attributed to its spiritual importance and political role within the Epirote ethne (a state formation distinct to the city-states of southern Greece). Numerous temples and shrines, dedicated to other deities of the Greek pantheon, as well as secular buildings such as a theatre and stadium were constructed, augmenting Dodoni’s fame and prestige within the Greek world.

Although the site was razed multiple times throughout its turbulent history, it was yet another religion that heralded the end of this sacred sanctuary. As Christianity became the dominant faith within the Roman Empire, the oracle at Dodoni ultimately ceased to function in the 4^th century CE and the site was completely abandoned two centuries later.

Today, little remains of the former complex. Besides the theatre, and a few crumbling foundations, Dodoni has mostly been lost to the centuries.

Nevertheless, nestled into a beautiful valley surrounded by the Monoliassa mountains, this idyllic setting paired with the historical importance of the site, make a wee trip down to Dodoni more than worthwhile!

BEFORE YOU GO

| Don’t forget your student ID to be eligible for the discount (only 25 and under).

| Buses from Ioannina run every Friday (June 2022).

| The archaeological site is quite small, however, bring a book and you might spend a fair amount of time relaxing in the shade of the sacred oak tree.

| Several artifacts have been unearthed and are being displayed in the Archaeological Museum of Ioannina. Definitely worth a visit if you want to deepen your knowledge about Dodoni and the wider Epirus region in general.