Territory and Boundaries. The Role of Molossian Sanctuaries

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.La région molossienne de l’Epire ancienne montre que les centres religieux ont joué un rôle significatif dans la définition des frontières entre communautés habitant ce territoire. Pour être exhaustif, on explique d’abord les éléments principaux du développement historique de la région, ainsi que le type d’organisation de la population molossienne. Puis on examine les implantations considérées comme sites cultuels. Il faut signaler que le sanctuaire de Dodone n’est pas ici considéré comme tel parce qu’il ne peut être analysé en tant que centre religieux local puisque sa signification doit être prise en compte au sein d’une perspective pan-molossienne et pan-épirote. Cependant on examine rapidement la relation entre Dodone et les autres sanctuaires. Finalement on émet l’hypothèse selon laquelle ces lieux sacrés sont des éléments-clé de l’organisation territoriale.Chapinal-Heras Diego. Territory and Boundaries. The Role of Molossian Sanctuaries. In: Dialogues d'histoire ancienne, vol. 45, n°2, 2019. pp. 147-165