Territory and Boundaries. The Role of Molossian Sanctuaries

• Autores: Diego Chapinal Heras
• Localización: Dialogues d'histoire ancienne, ISSN 0755-7256, Vol. 45, Nº 2, 2019, págs. 147-165
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • The Molossian area of ancient Epirus shows how religious centers could have played a significant role in the definition of the frontiers of the communities that inhabited this territory. In order to offer a complete view of this aspect, the main points of the historical development of this region are explained first, as well as the kind of organization of the Molossian population. After that, those settlements that are considered as cult sites are examined. It is worth pointing out that the sanctuary of Dodona is not considered here as a similar site, owing to the fact that it cannot be analyzed as a local religious center, because its significance must be understood within a pan-Molossian, pan-Epirote and Hellenic perspective. However, there is a short approach of the relationship between Dodona and the other sanctuaries. Finally, the hypothesis of those sacred places as a key point in the territorial organization is presented