Dodona and the Concept of Local Scripts

Abstract

This chapter reviews the evidence for writing in the north-west area of the Greek-speaking world with particular relevance to the script(s) used, and attempts to compare the evidence with that from other parts of that world, notably the perhaps politically similar Thessalian region. The main body of evidence is that of the lead sheets inscribed with questions put to the oracular sanctuary of Zeus at Dodona. The approximately 900 texts which display epichoric lettering suggest some rethinking of the notion of a local script at Dodona. Literacy at the site, at least for the cult personnel, included the regular acceptance of varieties of letter forms, a situation not to be found in the clear usage of 'fixed' alphabets in most Greek poleis. Texts from across the Pindos range, from Thessaly, show far greater alphabetic uniformity.