The Whispering Oak of Dodona
At Greece's oldest oracle, priests listened to the rustling of a sacred oak to hear the words of Zeus.
What was reported
Dodona, in the mountains of Epirus, was home to the oldest oracle in Greece, mentioned by Homer. At its heart stood a sacred oak, and priests and priestesses interpreted the rustling of its leaves, and the ringing of bronze vessels in the wind, as messages from Zeus.
Visitors wrote their questions on thin strips of lead. Archaeologists have found thousands of them, asking about marriages, journeys, health, money and lost property.
Explanations offered
The oracle's 'voice' was the wind, read by its priests. The lead tablets give a rare, personal glimpse of what ordinary ancient Greeks worried about. The site, with its large theatre, is open to visitors.
- When
- Active for over 1,000 years
- Where
- Dodona, Epirus, Greece
- Witnesses
- Ancient writers, from Homer onwards
- Status
- Legend
Famous cases are real, widely reported events. Each file sets out what witnesses said and the explanations that have been offered, without taking a side.