The first inhabitants of Epirus

The first inhabitants of Epirus are considered to be Pelasgi. Later on, the Ionians make their appearance in the region and after them the Dorians, who finally dominated. According to Theopompus (4th c. B.C) the epirotic tribes were 14 while, according to Strabo, 11 – all of which Greek. The oracle of Dodoni, dedicated to Zeus, was the religious center of all Epirots. The Greek hero Achilles offered sacrifices to Dodoneus Zeus. Statues of the same god were found all over Northern Epirus. The worship of Apollo, Aphrodite, Artemis – Diana, Athena, Poseidon – Neptune, Dionysus, Asclepius was also widespread as in the rest of Greece.