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Apollo

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Apollo was one of the most important gods in ancient Greek religion.

Apollo, torso of cult statue, ivory, gold, 550 BC, AM Delphi, 060068
Apollo, torso of cult statue, ivory, gold, 550 BC, AM Delphi, 060068

He was a member of the Olympian gods. People saw him as a very beautiful and athletic young man. He was the son of Zeus and Leto. He also had a twin sister named Artemis, who was the goddess of the hunt.

Because he was so important, his worship spread to Rome in the 5th century BC.

Apollo had many different roles that touched many parts of life. He was a god of music, song, dance, and poetry. He was known as the leader of the Muses during their celebrations.

Apollo-WaltersArt
Apollo-WaltersArt

He was also a god of healing and medicine. He could help people recover from sickness. However, he could also bring disease or plague with his arrows.

Praxiteles - Apollo the Python-Slayer - 2004.30 - Cleveland Museum of Art
Praxiteles - Apollo the Python-Slayer - 2004.30 - Cleveland Museum of Art

Some people even thought of him as the personification of the sun. They used the name Phoebus, which means "bright," to describe his light.

Many people traveled to find guidance from Apollo through prophecy. He was the god of the Delphic Oracle at Delphi.

Columns of the Temple of Apollo at Delphi, Greece
Columns of the Temple of Apollo at Delphi, Greece

People would visit the oracle to ask for advice on many matters. He was also a protector of many things in daily life. He looked after the streets, public places, and even home entrances. He was known as a protector of children and their education. When boys grew into adults, they sometimes dedicated their long hair to him.

Apollo also helped people with their work and their laws. He was a patron for shepherds and herdsmen.

He helped protect their animals and crops from pests or predators. He also encouraged people to start new towns. He was even seen as a giver of laws for cities. Many leaders consulted his oracles before they decided on new laws.

Artists have shown Apollo in many ways throughout history. He is often shown carrying a golden or silver bow.

Apollo-WaltersArt
Apollo-WaltersArt

He is also frequently pictured playing the lyre, which is a string instrument. His name has many different meanings that scholars still study today. Some think his name relates to the word for an assembly. Others connect it to words for purification or being simple. These different ideas show how much people wondered about him.

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🖼️ Images & Media (55)
File:Palestra grande di pompei, affreschi di Moregine, terzo triclinio, IV stile, epoca neroniana, 05 apollo.jpg
Palestra grande di pompei, affreschi di...
File:Praxiteles - Apollo the Python-Slayer - 2004.30 - Cleveland Museum of Art.jpg
Praxiteles - Apollo the Python-Slayer -...
File:Apollo, torso of cult statue, ivory, gold, 550 BC, AM Delphi, 060068.jpg
Apollo, torso of cult statue, ivory,...
File:Omphalos museum.jpg
Omphalos museum.jpg
File:Apollo-WaltersArt.jpg
Apollo-WaltersArt.jpg
File:AMI - Goldene Doppelaxt.jpg
AMI - Goldene Doppelaxt.jpg
File:Coin of Apollo Agyieus.png
Coin of Apollo Agyieus.png
File:Columns of the Temple of Apollo at Delphi, Greece.jpeg
Columns of the Temple of Apollo at...
File:Herakles tripod Louvre F341.jpg
Herakles tripod Louvre F341.jpg
File:Delos lions.jpg
Delos lions.jpg
File:The Temple of Apollo Epikourios at Bassae, east colonnade, Arcadia, Greece (14087181020).jpg
The Temple of Apollo Epikourios at...
File:TempleDelos.jpg
TempleDelos.jpg

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