Archaeological Site of Dodoni

Oldest oracle in Greece, located 22 km southwest of Ioannina in Epirus, where priests called the Selloi interpreted the rustling of a sacred oak tree to deliver the prophecies of Zeus [1] [2] [3]. Lead question-tablets have been recovered, dating from the 6th to 2nd centuries BC [4]. King Pyrrhus of Epirus made Dodona his religious capital around 290 BC, grandly rebuilding the Temple of Zeus and constructing a 17,000-seat theatre that remains well preserved today [1] [2] [5]. The Naia festival held here featured athletic and dramatic contests [5]. The oracle ceased in the 4th century AD under Theodosius [1] [5].