Book 7
frag.1a
In earlier times the oracle was in the neighborhood of Scotussa, a city of Pelasgiotis; but when the tree was set on fire by certain people the oracle was transferred in accordance with an oracle which Apollo gave out at Dodona. However, he gave out the oracle, not through words, but through certain symbols, as was the case at the oracle of Zeus Ammon in Libya. Perhaps there was something exceptional about the flight of the three pigeons from which the priestesses were wont to make observations and to prophesy. It is further said that in the language of the Molossians and the Thesprotians old women are called “peliai”“Pigeons.” and old men “pelioi.”“Pigeons.” And perhaps the much talked of Peleiades were not birds, but three old women who busied themselves about the temple.
frag.1b
I mentioned Scotussa also in my discussion of Dodona and of the oracle in Thessaly, because the oracle was originally in the latter region.
frag.1c
According to the Geographer, a sacred oak tree is revered in Dodona, because it was thought to be the earliest plant created and the first to supply men with food. And the same writer also says in reference to the oracular doves there, as they are called, that the doves are observed for the purposes of augury, just as there were some seers who divined from ravens.
frag.2
Among the Thesprotians and the Molossians old women are called “peliai” and old men “pelioi,” as is also the case among the Macedonians; at any rate, those people call their dignitaries “peligones” (compare the “gerontes”The senators at Sparta were called “gerontes,” literally “old men,” “senators.” among the Laconians and the Massaliotes).Cp. 4. 1. 5. And this, it is said, is the origin of the myth about the pigeons in the Dodonaean oak-tree.
