Local, supralocal and supraregional oracles in Anatolia

In the scope of the PhD thesis entitled "Local, Supralocal and Supraregional Oracles in Anatolia", oracles within the Anatolian borders, their characteristics and sphere of influence are addressed primarily in the light of ancient sources, epigraphic and numismatic materials, as well as other archaeological finds. Reasons behind the peoples' or poleis' preference of specific sanctuaries, the qualities defining sanctuaries of local, supralocal and supraregional importance and their differences are analysed. In order to define the parameters of this classification, the characteristics of each Anatolian oracle are presented. The timeline of the work starts from the beginning of the Archaic period, unless there is related evidence of oracular activity in the same location attested from earlier periods and ends with the Late Antique period, as most of the oracles fell silent with the rise of Christianity within the Roman Empire, if not earlier. This work aims to sketch a complete picture of the oracular scene in Anatolia from its smallest oracular unit to its biggest by means of a comparative perspective. Thus, it is aimed to be useful in understanding the impact of religion on the social and political life of the period.