Zeus
2. The
Dodonaean Zeus (
Ζεὺς Δωδωναῖος or
Πελασγικός) possessed the most ancient oracle in Greece, at Dodona in Epeirus, near mount Tomarus (Tmarus or Tomurus), from which he derived his name. (
Hom. Il. 2.750,
16.233;
Hdt. 2.52 ;
Paus. 1.17.5;
Strab. v. p.338, vi. p. 504;
Verg. Ecl. 8.44.) At Dodona Zeus was mainly a prophetic god, and the oaktree was sacred to him ; but there too he was said to have been reared by if the Dodonaean nymphs (Hyades; Schol.
ad Hom. Il. 18.486; Hygin.
Fab. 182 ; Ov. Fast. 6.711,
Met. 3.314). Respecting the Dodonaean oracle of Zeus, see
Dict. of Ant. s. v. Oraculnm.