Scene 1: Welcome

Xanthias

Welcome to the sanctuary of Zeus of Dodona. Here, you are safe: the god will give you guidance.

[We hear the sound of the aulos in the distance; Xanthias mutters) ‘Zeus of Dodona, great in strength, accept this sacrifice.’

That is the sound of the sacrificial procession on the Acropolis. We make our sacrifices there because it is closest to Zeus.

If you have an offering for the god, take it to the priests’ house there. They will give you a tablet of lead for your question; there are scribes to help you. Once you have written your question then join the others along this sacred path. See, it leads to Zeus’s Oak.

If you’ve nothing for the god, or if you need food or shelter, the market is through the trees and there’s an area for camping.

I see you have difficulty walking, pilgrim. You can take your time—Zeus, his tree, and his doves have been here forever; they will outlast us all. But—Stand aside now please, so that the others behind you may pass.

Scene 2: A Family Visit

At the entrance is a covered wagon and before it, on foot, is Iolaos. His wife and her slave Thraitta are unseen inside the wagon.

Xanthias

Welcome to the sanctuary of Zeus of Dodona. Here you are safe and the god will --

Iolaos

Never mind all that: I’ve been here many times before.

Xanthias

Yes of course, welcome back, sir. Did you come far this time?

Iolaos

This time only from Kerkyra—my wife’s family is there. We crossed that stretch of the Ionian sea, then we travelled by wagon. My wife… my wife is… in need of Zeus’s guidance.

We will stay up in the city. Nothing wrong with the campsite of course. But I can’t expect my wife to stay in such a place.

I have brought some sheep as an offering to Zeus: good fat sheep—they will please the god. They’re in the back of the wagon.

Xanthias

Of course, sir.

(Leaves to attend to the sheep.)

Iolaos

(To the pilgrim) It’s good to be back here. Is this your first visit?

I’ve asked Zeus’ advice many times. We’re based in Euesperides, near Kyrene—so sometimes I visit Zeus Ammon. But my trade takes me West, so I am often here.

I trade in Purple and in Silphion, and my business has done well. I have Zeus and his doves to thank for my good fortune.

Xanthias

Does your wife require a tablet, sir?

Iolaos

She can write her question on the back of mine. I need to ask the god about trading sites: we don’t know if we should go to Elina or Anaktorion for our business.

But my wife—she needs guidance for her health. We want a child. She just needs to know which god she must make sacrifice to—and all will be well, I’m sure.

We’ve been to Epidauros—(to the pilgrim) do you know the cult of Asklepios there? I can see that you may have had cause to seek his help.
(Musing) There are many like you. I’m sure that cult will prove very popular. But the god did not favour us there…

Anyway, we’ll collect our tablet and seek Zeus’s advice tomorrow. Now my wife needs to rest. Can we go up to the Acropolis?

Xanthias

Yes sir—there is a bit of time before the next sacrifice.

Iolaos

(To the pilgrim) They make their offerings on the acropolis, to be closer to the god. But you don’t want to get in the way of the procession!

We will be on our way… (Thraitta—attend to my wife!)

Xanthias

(To the pilgrim) You can have a look around, or—… I’m sorry—I can see that you are in discomfort.

I know what it is to find life difficult, pilgrim. No need to concern yourself with an offering. We will write your tablet for you now, if you’d like. I’ll ask Diodoros to do this…

(Looking around, annoyed) Where is he? He must be in the market…

Let me help you. You don’t even need to speak your question aloud, if you prefer not to. All-powerful Zeus doesn’t need to read our questions to help us!

In fact, I have a tablet with just the question for you already written. Look, it is ‘about health’.

A lot of people come with this concern. It asks: ‘By sacrificing and praying to which of the gods will I do better and be released from this disease?’

You go ahead and join the other pilgrims waiting for their consultation: I’ll take your tablet to the priestess now. Zeus and the doves will understand.

Xanthias gestures for the pilgrim to walk down the sacred way.

Scene 3: Fear of Betrayal and the Delegate

Lysanias is pacing around up and down and waiting.

Lysanias

(complaining) Hey—you!—I’m next! And anyway, it’s no good being in a hurry. You’re going to have to wait now, even if they have let you in quickly….
So, how did you get out of being purified? Special treatment, because of your condition, huh?

They insisted I do it… (indignant) And after the gift I brought to Zeus! Do you know, the stream’s a good part of the morning away!

I’m not complaining, you understand, but I came here because I thought it would be easier! I’d heard the stories about Delphi—so busy, so crowded, such a long time to wait for the consultation, and then when you get your oracle you don’t even understand what you’ve been told… I really thought that this place would be different…

[We hear the sound of the aulos] Lysanias mutters You hear that?—That’s a sacrifice beginning… (prays) ‘Zeus of Dodona, great in strength, accept this sacrifice.’

(While he is muttering, the Delegate hurries past, accompanied by an attendant of his own—and Xanthias behind.)

Lysanias

Hey Hey Hey!!! What was that? Hey You!

Xanthias

(turning back) Yes sir?

Lysanias

Who was that? Why did he get to go ahead of us?!

Xanthias

He’s the delegate from a tribe not far from here, sir. They have the right of promanteia: they can consult ahead of others. And apparently they saw ‘something.’ Early this morning… in the sky… Might have implications for us all, sir. Terribly important, that they ask the god quickly, sir.

Lysanias

Terribly Important?!? But my question is terribly important. I must have the god’s help.

(To the pilgrim) My wife—she’s with child—and, look, it’s hard to say this, but—I don’t know who the father is!!

(Getting increasingly worked up as he speaks) It all happened when I got home from the fields. My wife and I were sitting together and our child, our first-born, began to cry… and I said she had to look after it even though she said she didn’t want to leave me …. And when she left me, she locked the door! She said it was to stop me having a go at the maid. But she knew that was never anything serious… She knew I was drunk. I thought it was a joke. But now I think it was all part of her plan… She left me there over night! The following morning, when she let me out, I noticed that she had made up her face very carefully. And why not you might ask? Well, she’s in mourning! Her brother had died only, what, 30 days before?!? I didn’t say anything… I packed my bags and came here as soon as I could…

(To Xanthias) Don’t you understand… It’s imperative that I ask my question, now! I can’t live with not knowing any more. I just want to know if the child Annyla’s having is mine or… or… some stranger’s… (breaks down completely)

Xanthias

(Comforting Lysanias) There, there… (To the pilgrim) Why don’t you go ahead

Lysanias

No, no… I want my consultation! But come with me. I can’t face this alone!

Scene 4: The Ritual

Priestess 1

Welcome pilgrims. Lysanias—we have your question. You wish to know: ‘Whether the child with which Annyla is pregnant is not from you?’
We offer a libation.

The priestess pours a libation from a small vessel on to a phiale (flat dish) and then pours it on the ground.

Zeus of Dodona, great in strength, accept this sacrifice.

Silence…. The sound of Tibetan bowls begins to ring out. Priestess 2 comes down from the tree. Sound of Tibetan bowls rises to a crescendo. A moment of silence. Then, the wind rustles tree/doves fly up from tree. We hear the sound of the aulos (as from the sacrifice earlier.

Both Priestesses

Zeus of Dodona, great in strength.

(Priestess 2 approaches Lysanias and murmurs her response to him.)

Lysanias

(Collapsing to his knees): Oh no… no… I can’t believe it.

Priestess 1

So, pilgrim… You want to know about your health? Your question is: ‘By sacrificing and praying to which of the gods will I do better and be released from this disease?’ Are you ready, pilgrim?

Priestess 1

We offer a libation.

The priestess pours a libation from a small vessel on to a phiale (flat dish) and then pours it on the ground.

Zeus of Dodona, great in strength, accept this sacrifice.

Silence…. The sound of Tibetan bowls begins to ring out. Priestess 2 comes down from the tree. Sound of Tibetan bowls rises to a crescendo. A moment of silence. Then, the wind rustles tree/doves fly up from tree. We hear the sound of the aulos (as from the sacrifice earlier.

Both Priestesses

Zeus of Dodona, great in strength.

Priestess 2

Pilgrim, the answer is … Zeus.