Kitap 2
54.1
But about the oracles in Greece [22,39] (nation), Europe Hellas , and that one which is in Libya [17,25] (nation), Africa Libya , the Egyptians give the following account. The priests of Zeus of Thebes [32.666,25.683] (deserted settlement), Qina, Upper Egypt, Egypt, Africa Thebes told me that two priestesses had been carried away from Thebes [32.666,25.683] (deserted settlement), Qina, Upper Egypt, Egypt, Africa Thebes by Phoenicians; one, they said they had heard was taken away and sold in Libya [17,25] (nation), Africa Libya , the other in Greece [22,39] (nation), Europe Hellas ; these women, they said, were the first founders of places of divination in the aforesaid countries.
54.2
When I asked them how it was that they could speak with such certain knowledge, they said in reply that their people had sought diligently for these women, and had never been able to find them, but had learned later the story which they were telling me.
55.1
That, then, I heard from the Theban priests; and what follows, the prophetesses of Dodona [20.8,39.55] (Perseus) Dodona say: that two black doves had come flying from Thebes [32.666,25.683] (deserted settlement), Qina, Upper Egypt, Egypt, Africa Thebes in Egypt [30,27] (nation), Africa Egypt , one to Libya [17,25] (nation), Africa Libya and one to Dodona [20.8,39.55] (Perseus) Dodona ;
55.2
the latter settled on an oak tree, and there uttered human speech, declaring that a place of divination from Zeus must be made there; the people of Dodona [20.8,39.55] (Perseus) Dodona understood that the message was divine, and therefore established the oracular shrine.
55.3
The dove which came to Libya [17,25] (nation), Africa Libya told the Libyans (they say) to make an oracle of Ammon; this also is sacred to Zeus. Such was the story told by the Dodonaean priestesses, the eldest of whom was Promeneia and the next Timarete and the youngest Nicandra; and the rest of the servants of the temple at Dodona [20.8,39.55] (Perseus) Dodona similarly held it true.
