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Sacred Oak Grove of Dodona
Dodona, Epirus, northwestern Greece
Greece
Inactive (oak felled c.391–392 CE by Theodosius)
Historical / archaeological
- Location
- Dodona, Epirus, northwestern Greece
- Coordinates
- ~39.55°N 20.79°E
- Elevation
- ~620 m
- Size
- Sanctuary grove (not specified)
- Age / Founded
- 2nd millennium BCE – closed 391/392 CE
- Status
- Inactive (oak felled c.391–392 CE by Theodosius)
- Deity & Religion
- Zeus (Naios) & Dione; ancient Greek oracle
- Community & Guardians
- Ancient Greeks (Epirote); priests/priestesses (Peleiades)
- Vernacular name
- Alsos (sacred oak grove)
- Record type
- Historical / archaeological
Cultural practices & uses
Oldest Hellenic oracle — prophecy read from rustling oak leaves & doves; lead question-tablets
Plant species
Sacred oak (Quercus) — possibly beech
Biome & fauna
Epirote oak woodland
Threats & protection
Pagan temples closed 391 CE; ancient oak cut down (archaeological site today)
Source
Wikipedia 'Dodona'; World History Encyclopedia — Dodona