The Hellenic Authors Society and the Epigraphic Museum co-organize the 6th cycle of educational lectures, starting on Wednesday 5 March 2025 at 18:00 (subsequent lectures at the same time, Wednesday 12 and Thursday 20 March), with Kostas Soueref as speaker on the topic:

ΤΗΕ ΤREE OF DODONI/From “φηγός” το UNESCO: 

The figos or oak, the oak tree, was the sacred tree of ancient Dodoni, which symbolized the union of earth and sky, the wedding roof of Dione and Zeus. The Oracle of Dodoni is mentioned by Herodotus as the oldest of the Greeks. Dodoni in Epirus, with its immovable and movable ancient finds, evokes today images of the life and activity of people of the past, impressions, interpretations, and searches for the concerns and thoughts of those who lived in the same places.

Wednesday 5 March, at 18:00 

ANCIENT TIMES OF DODONI AND WAYS OF ORACLES

Dodoni was a religious and political centre, like Delphi and Olympia. The combination of religious and political aspects centred on Dodoni led to its radiance and the rallying around it of all Epirus. Thesprotia, Molossians, the Olympiad, Pyrrhus, the Common of Epirus sealed the historical path of Dodoni with their presence. Between the end of the 3rd and the beginning of the 2nd century BC, the Naias, games for Zeus Naios, were upgraded to the level of the Panhellenic games, with the prize being a wreath made of an oak branch. The Naias were held every four years, the year after the Olympics, the same year as the Isthmia and Nemea, as the Antikythera Mechanism (mid 2nd century BC) informs us. Everything associated with the tree of Dodoni, such as the metallic sounds of bronze boilers and tripods around the oak, bells and other gifts hanging on the branches, caused by the wind blowing, were thought to emit advisory messages from the gods. The Oracle of Dodoni gave oracles to individuals, groups and representatives of various origins, as we know from the votive offerings and written questions on the lead plates. The oracle operated for 2000 years (between the 2nd millennium BC and the 4th century AD).

Wednesday 12 March, at 18:00 

TOUR OF ANCIENT DODONI AND FINDINGS RELATED TO THE ORACLE

The landscape of Dodoni, between Mount Tomaros, the valley and the surrounding hills, encloses the ancient site with visible architectural remains: the sanctuary of Zeus and Dione, the prytaneum, the parliament building, the theatre, the stadium and the acropolis. Moreover, the steep Dodoni was often a reference point of the ancient world. The reputation of the oracle and the peculiar cult symbolism of Zeus Naios and Dione, beyond the boundaries of Epirus, such as in Athens, Rhodes and Syracuse, is confirmed by the ancient texts, the dedications and the inscribed oracular lead plates of the visitors, which have survived in Dodoni.

Thursday 20 March, at 18:00 

THE INSCRIBED LEAD OILS OF THE ORACLES

Of particular scientific interest internationally is the uniqueness of the oracular lead inscribed plates, over 3000 in number, from Dodoni, which, as they are studied by specialists of various disciplines, shed light on the functions of the oracle, the political organization that controlled it, but mainly on the anxieties and dilemmas of the ancient visitors.

The questions, simple and straightforward, touched on various topics, health, family, financial, legal, professional and emotional. At the same time, there is evidence of contacts with other social groups, Corinthians, Ambrosians, Corfiots, Tarantines. Some answers were written on the back of the sheet, but most were given orally. According to Cicero, cleromancy was operating in Dodoni. The unique lead oracle plates of Dodoni, which are unique in the world and testify to the existence of thousands of people, were inscribed in 2023 in UNESCO’s Memory of the World.

Attendance at all lectures is free of charge. Reservations are required. To register, please contact the coordinator of the lectures, Ms. Angeliki Stratigopoulou at [email protected]. In the event of a seat filling, you will receive a negative response via email. Otherwise your participation will be accepted.