Dodona is the site of the oldest oracle in Greece. Zeus expressed his will from the sacred oak tree, either through the rustling of the leaves or through doves within the tree. When the tree grew old, the priestess would interpret the will of the god by pulling from a jar a ribbon strip of lead folded over three or four times where the enquirer had written his query. At the same time she would use another jar to draw oaken tablets with the response (yes / no / the name of a deity to whom sacrifices should be made). The sanctuary has been flourishing for many centuries. The city is inside the walled area on the hill behind the theater, while the stadium, the temples of the gods (Zeus, Aphrodite, Herakles) and the prytaneion that served the needs of the League of the Epirotes stand near the theater.