Dodona, the oldest Greek oracle. How did it function? What did it predict? How did it handle the thousands of questions arising from the human need to predict the future?
The main interest in the exhibition at the Acropolis Museum lies in Zeus and his predominant presence in the sanctuary. The central theme is the prophetic oak tree that with the rustle of its leaves would answer the agonizing questions of people of what lies ahead! Prophecies were also given by priests who de-coded the sounds of bronze cauldrons and the cooing of pigeons.
The excavations conducted in Dodona have brought to light some thousands of questions carved in metal sheets of lead, posed by visitors in the sanctuary. Some of these questions concern matters of trade, debts, assets, court decisions, health, fertility, upcoming marriage, dowries and widowhood and are presented in a separate unit of the exhibition.
Dedications in the sanctuary parts of bronze statues, parts of armory, swords and part of their suspensions, dedications from those who benefited from the gods or invoked their help are also displayed.
It is an unusually themed exhibition and one that should not be missed, while it is still held in Athens Acropolis Museum, starting June 20th. Why not visit?