Dodona
At 22th km South of Ioannina lies the ancient theater of Dodona, one of the best preserved theatres of the ancient world.
Particulary interesting are the exhibits of Dodona where was the oldest oracle of the Greek world. The residents at that time worshipped the godess Earth. Later, in the Middle Helladic period the Ellopians, a Doric tribe reside in the region of Dodona. In the Homeric Epics and particularly in Iliad they are referred to as a genus under the service of Zeus Dodoneos. In the 4th century BC a small temple was built in honor of Zeus and the Prytaneion for Priests which was dedicated to the worship of the Father of the Gods and gave the oracles to Greek and foreing pilgrims.
In the 3rd century BC the king of Epirus Pyros built a new large temple of Zeus, the temple of Hercules and the theatre. The General Aitolias Dorimachus destroys the temple of Dodona in 319. Thanks to Philip V the sacred sites and the theatre were rebuilt. During the Roman period the theatre is converted into a beast battle arena while during the reign of Theodosios the Great the sanctuary of Dodona as well as the other ancient sanctuaries are shut. Over the centuries the waters that descend from the surrounding hills will cover the archaeological site. In 1874 the first excavations are carried out by the politician of Epirus K. Karapanos. In 1921 the excavations will continue by Professor G. Sotiriadi.
During interwar and after the 2nd World War archaeologist D. Evangelides and his assistan S. Dakaris reveal great findings. Every summer, in the Epirus Festivals the ancient Greek dramatists are heard again. Ancient Greek Tragedies revive not only through the magical environment of the ancient theatre but also through the other ancient monuments.
