Apollon

a PO lon

Απολλων

Apollonas

Απολλωνας

The Immortal Son of Zeus and Leto

The name usually appears in the Greek texts as Apollon, or Phoibos (Phoebus) Apollon ... Phoibos meaning ‘Shining’ or ‘Bright.’ Leto traveled far and wide to find the suitable birthplace for Apollon. She finally came to the rocky island of Delos and knew that this would be the birthplace of her glorious son. The goddess, Delos, made Leto swear a great oath on the river Styx that her new son, Phoibos, would not abandon his birthplace and that he would always keep his temple on the humble island. Leto agreed ... Apollon was soon to be born on Delos.

After nine days and nights of travail, Phoibos was born with Rheia (Rhea), Dione, Themis and Aphrodite (goddess of Love) attending. Apollon was born on the seventh day of the month and that day is considered to be holy. He did not nurse at his mother’s breast, instead, he was given nectar and ambrosia. He burst from the crib and announced his intentions: to play the lyre, carry the curved bow and declare the unfailing will of Zeus to the mortals of the earth. Thus, Apollon plays the lyre with the Muses and is referred to as the Striker from Afar because of his skill with the bow. He established the city of Delphi where people of all nations could come to hear his prophecies. (Hymn to Apollon) (The Works and Days, line 770+)

Although not born on Delos, Apollon’s sister, Artemis is considered to be his twin ... she, too, is skillful with the bow and aids the people of the earth by giving comfort to the weak and unfortunate.

The island of Delos became rich and beautiful with the presence of Apollon and Leto ... the mountains bloomed with flowers and people came from all regions to make generous donations to the shrine of Apollon. Games and dancing enchanted the worshipers but the handmaidens of Apollon were the most amazing attraction on the island ... they had the ability to sing in such a way that each person heard them in his or her native tongue.

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Apollon at Delphi

Apollon sought to establish a shrine of prophecy and conceived a plan whereby he could build and populate a new city. Apollon did not make a hasty decision as to where his temple would be built ... he traveled the whole of Greece and Asia Minor seeking the perfect location. The place he chose was Delphi, located at the foot of Mount Parnassos (Mount Parnassus) in central southern Greece just north of the Gulf of Corinth in the district of Phokis (Phocis).

The site was inhabited by the streams of Telphousa (Telphusa) and the snake-creature, Pytho ... neither wanted a city or a god as their neighbor. Telphousa tried to beguile Apollon but he eventually saw through her manipulation. The creature, Pytho was noted as deadly to anyone who came near her ... Apollon shot her with an arrow and exalted over her as she lay dieing in the holy light of Helios (the Sun) ... from that time on, Apollon became known as The Pythian because Helios made the creature rot away. Apollon then turned his attention to Telphousa ... she had tried to mesmerize him and he punished her by causing a rockslide to cover her waters ... in the grove where she once flowed Apollon is worshiped as The Telphousian Lord signifying his domination over her.

The site of the temple had been chosen and secured ... the foundations had been laid ... now Apollon needed ministers to supervise the sacrifices and administer the temple. As he pondered this problem he became aware of a ship on the sea ... the men on the ship appeared to be goodly men from the island of Crete and Apollon at once decided that they would serve him well. In the form of a dolphin, Apollon approached the ship and leapt onto the deck ... the men on the ship were perplexed but were unable to remove the disguised god from the vessel. Apollon took control of the ship and steered it to the proximity of Delphi and ran it aground on the shore. Apollon transformed from a dolphin into a flaming star and flew from the ship to his temple at Delphi ... the sky lit up and the people in the surrounding countryside were terrified.

Apollon returned to the beached ship in the guise of a young man ... the men on the ship knew that the young man who stood before them was a god and they begged for mercy and understanding. Apollon told them his true identity and that he had brought them to that place so that they might become his ministers and serve him at his temple. The men willingly accepted his commands and went to the temple ... Apollon promised them that they would want for nothing as long as they were not idle or disobedient ... he would put the will of Zeus in their hearts so that they could advise the worshipers and the worshipers would provide the necessities of life for those who served him on the rocky folds of Mount Parnassos.

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Apollon and Hermes

The lives of Apollon and the schemer, Hermes, became intertwined almost immediately after Hermes’ birth. Hungry for adventure, Hermes left his mother’s cave and began to roam the countryside. He reached the mountains of Pieria and found the sacred grove of Apollon ... he stole fifty cattle from Apollon’s herd. The clever Hermes disguised his footprints and made the cattle walk backwards so that it would look as if a they were coming instead of going.

At dawn of the next day Apollon began searching for his stolen cattle. He soon deduced that his cattle had been stolen by Hermes. Apollon went swiftly to Mount Kyllene and confronted the infant Hermes and said that he would cast him down into Tartaros (Tartarus) if he did not return the stolen cattle. Hermes found it easy to lie and declared that he knew nothing of the cattle. Apollon was not fooled and took Hermes from his crib and went to Mount Olympos (Olympus) to stand before Zeus so that Hermes could be judged.

Zeus listened to Apollon’s truthful account of the theft of the cattle but Hermes pretended innocence and said that he was only born yesterday and too young to know the ways of deceit and falsehood. Zeus laughed at the child’s roguishness and commanded Hermes to take Apollon to the cattle. Hermes obeyed without hesitation and soon he and Apollon were at the place where the cattle had been hidden. Apollon was amazed that a mere infant had been able to kill two of the cattle and stretch their hides to dry in the sun. Hermes began to play the lyre he had invented and again Apollon was amazed. Apollon said that he had danced and sang with the Muses but had never heard such beautiful music or seen such a masterful musician. He promised Hermes many gifts and assured him a place of renown amongst the Immortals. Hermes accepted the blessings of Apollon and gave him the lyre as a token of his affection. With the blessing of Zeus, Apollon pronounced that Hermes would become the lord over lions, boars, dogs and all animal herds on the face of the earth. Apollon also made Hermes the messenger of Hades (lord of the Underworld) but he would not give Hermes the gift of prophecy because that gift was his alone and only he was allowed to know the will of Zeus. As a minor concession, Apollon told Hermes that there were three virgin goddesses who lived under the folds of Mount Parnassos who would flitter about and feed on yellow honey. After they had eaten the honey, they would only speak the truth and if Hermes questioned them carefully he would learn many things. He would then have the power to impart these truths to men of his choosing for their benefit. Apollon also gave Hermes a beautiful golden staff with three branches to represent wealth and affluence. The staff would protect the young god against harm and enforce the laws of righteous words and actions. (Homeric Hymns to Hermes)

When Apollon leaves his shrine in Pytho and travels to Mount Olympos, the other gods and goddesses gather to hear the beautiful music he plays on the lyre which Hermes gave him ... he sings with the Muses of the unending gifts the Immortals enjoy and the mortal plight of the people who must endure the pains of illness and the failings of old age. Hebe (goddess of Youth), the Graces, the Seasons, Harmonia and Aphrodite join hands and dance ... the goddess Artemis, tall and enviable, sings to her brother’s irresistible melodies. (Hymn to Pythian Apollon, line 185-208)

When Hermes and Apollon saw how Hephaistos (Hephaestus) had trapped his wife Aphrodite (goddess of Love) and her secret lover, Ares (the god of War), in the embrace of love and displayed them for all the Immortals to see, Apollon asked Hermes how he would feel if he were trapped in such an embarrassing position. The light hearted Hermes replied that he would suffer thrice the bindings if only he could share the bed of Aphrodite the golden. (Odyssey, book 8, line 323)

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Apollon and Asklepios

Asklepios (Asclepius) was the son of Apollon and a mortal woman named, Koronis (Coronis).

Asklepios was the greatest healer in the ancient world and the father of two Greek soldiers and healers who fought in the Trojan War: Machaon and Podaleirios.

His reputation was so widespread that he was revered as the god of medicine and healing. Several shrines were established in honor of Asklepios including one at Athens and another at the city of Epidauros. Patients would sleep in the temple of Asklepios and they would either be cured during the night or they would have dreams which would indicate the correct treatment for their ailments. Some people were healed with calming incantations, some were given potions and others were cured with surgery.

Koronis lived in Lakereia on the banks of Lake Boibias in Thessaly. Apollon took her as his lover and she became pregnant. Koronis thought she could deceive Apollon and have an illicit affair with a man named Ischys without Apollon’s knowledge but, even though Apollon was at his shrine at Pytho, his all-seeing abilities allowed him to perceive the young woman’s impious behavior. Before the goddess of childbirth, Eileithyia, could bring Koronis to term, Apollon’s sister, Artemis, killed the pregnant woman with a shower of golden arrows while she slept. Koronis was not the only one to die in the hail of arrows. Many of Koronis’ neighbors were also killed in the conflagration. When Koronis’ relatives placed her on the funeral pyre and lit the flames, Apollon could not endure to have his offspring killed for the mother’s irreverent deeds. Apollon swooped down to the pyre, parted the flames, and rescued Asklepios from his dead mother’s body and entrusted the infant to the Centaur, Cheiron (Chiron), so that he might learn the art of healing.

Asklepios became a man of great renown and pilgrims came from all over Greece to find cures for their ailments and wounds. But Asklepios became too enamored with his own abilities and finally committed an act of selfishness which angered Zeus beyond redemption. Instead of continuing to use his god-given abilities with gracious humility, Asklepios accepted gold as a payment for restoring a dead man to life. Zeus struck down Asklepios and the man he had resurrected with a flash of lightning and thus ended the life of the greatest healer of the ancient Greek world. (Pindar, Pythian Ode 3, lines 1-57)

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Apollon and Niobe

Apollon’s mother, Leto, was insulted by a woman named Niobe who had once been her friend. Niobe likened herself to Leto and bragged that she had twelve children, and Leto only had two. To avenge the insult against their mother, Apollon killed Niobe’s six sons and Artemis killed her six daughters. (Iliad, book 24, line 607)

Apollon and Artemis killing the children of Niobe.

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Apollon at Troy

During the Trojan War, Apollon was clearly on the side of the Trojans. From the outset, Apollon was angry with the Achaeans (Achaians) for insulting his priest, Chryses. He strode through the waters off-shore and, for three days, showered the Achaeans with deadly arrows. His fury subsided after the Achaeans had made the proper sacrifices and returned the captive woman, Chryseis, to her grieving father.

As the war progressed, Apollon entered the battle on several occasions to protect and give glory to the Trojan hero Hector, usually at Zeus’ bidding. At one point Apollon and Athene (Athena) took the form of vultures and, from the vantage of an oak tree, watched the bloody, yet glorious, battle. After Hektor was wounded by Aias (Ajax), Apollon revived him and, with the Aegis of Zeus, drove the Achaeans back to their ships. Even though Apollon pitied and loved Hektor he could not save him from death in accordance with the will of Erinys (Fate). When Zeus turned his back on the hero, Apollon also turned away and left poor Hektor to the mercy of Athene ... of course, she had none. Hector died at the hands of Achilles and his body was dragged around the walls of Troy. (Iliad, book 7, line 58)

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Apollon as the Envoy of Life and Death

The Death of Phrontis

After the fall of the city of Troy, Apollon continued his assaults on the Achaeans (Achaians) as they traveled back to their homes. When the ships of Menelaos (Menelaus) and Odysseus reached the Cape of Athens (holy Sunium), Apollon killed Phrontis, the renowned steersman. Menelaos and his crew were forced by custom to halt their journey and give their worthy companion the last rites suitable for a warrior of his caliber. This delay was the first step in allowing the murderer of Agamemnon to go unpunished for seven long years. It’s implied that the sacrifice of many thigh bones allowed Aigisthos (Aegisthus) and Klytemnestra (Clytemnestra), the cowardly murderer and Agamemnon’s despicable wife, to get away with their heinous crime. The ‘good’ news is that Menelaos’ delayed homecoming allowed Orestes (Agamemnon’s son) to bring pitiless justice down on the head of Aigisthos. (Odyssey, book 3, line 273)

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The Death of Rhexenor

A race of mortals was being shaped and nurtured by the Immortals to play an important role in future events, i.e. to give sanctuary to Jason and Medeia (Medea) after they had stolen the Golden Fleece and to rescue Odysseus and return him to his home. The leader of this race was descended from Poseidon (lord of the Sea) and Giants, his name was Nausithoos, lord of the Phaiakians (Phaeacians). Nausithoos had two male children, Alkinoos (Alcinous) and Rhexenor. Rhexenor was married and Alkinoos was not. Apollon killed Rhexenor (with a shower of painless arrows) and Alkinoos married his widow. This was all very fortunate for Odysseus when he was washed ashore in the land of the Phaiakians. Alkinoos and his beloved wife, Arete, were sympathetic to poor Odysseus. He knelt before them in cloths he had been given and begged for a fast ship to take him to his homeland. The deadly arrows of Apollon brought love and peace to the Phaiakians and their king and queen. (Odyssey, book 7, line 64)

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The Death of Eurytos the Archer

After being given sanctuary by king Alkinoos (Alcinous) and his beloved wife, Arete, Odysseus was asked to join the competitive sports with the Phaiakian men ... he took up the polished bow and said that his skills were as good as any mortal man but he would never compare himself to heroes like Herakles (Heracles) or Eurytos. Odysseus goes on to say that Eurytos did not live to enjoy his property and fame because he challenged Apollon in archery. Apollon killed him for the insult. (Odyssey, book 8, line 227)

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The Deaths of Otos (Otus) and Ephialtes

Apollon was asked to intervene when the two monstrous sons of Poseidon (lord of the Sea) and Iphimedeia threatened to attack the Immortals on Mount Olympos (Olympus). These boisterous youths, Otos (Otus) and Ephialtes, were the tallest men ever to walk the earth. They were almost as handsome as the famous hunter, Orion, but they were too loud and too proud for the Immortals to tolerate. They threatened to uproot mountains and pile them up against Mount Olympos and then climb into the precincts of the Immortals. Zeus believed they could, when grown to full stature, fulfill their threat if they were not stopped. Zeus sent Apollon to kill the dangerous youths before they were old enough to do any harm. (Odyssey, book 11, line 319)

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Apollon as Favorable Sign

The son of Odysseus, Telemachos (Telemachus), was speaking to an assembly of men on the island of Ithaka (Ithaca) when a falcon flew by with a pigeon in it’s claws ... feathers rained down as the falcon tore its prey to pieces. The entire assembly witnessed the event and a companion of Telemachos named Theoklymenos (Theoclymenus) proclaimed that this was a favorable sign sent from Apollon to show the men of Ithaka what would become of those who continued to abuse the hospitality of Odysseus’ household. (Odyssey, book 15, line 526)

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Apollon was taken into the Roman pantheon as Apollo, god of the Sun.

Apollon in The Iliad

(listed by book and line)

The line numbers listed here correspond fairly well with the Lattimore and Murray/Wyatt translations of The Iliad. Other translations (Fitzgerald, Fagles et al) do not correspond as well but, with a small amount of effort, you should be able to find the reference you need regardless of the translation you use. Lattimore (ISBN 0226469409); A.T. Murray/William F. Wyatt Vol. I & II (ISBN 0674995791 and 0674995805); Robert Fitzgerald (ISBN 0374529051); Robert Fagles (ISBN 0140275363)

• 01.010 - Apollon, the son of Zeus and Leto, drove pestilence among the Achaeans (Achaians)
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• 01.012 - Chryses, priest of Apollon, was disgraced by Agamemnon when he tried to ransom his daughter from the Achaeans (Achaians)
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• 01.014 - The priest, Chryses, carried a staff with golden ribbons which represented Apollon
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• 01.021 - The priest, Chryses, wished the Achaeans (Achaians) victory but begged for the return of his young daughter as an honor to Apollon
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• 01.036 - The priest, Chryses prayed to King Apollon, the lord of the island of Tenedos
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• 01.043 - Phoibos Apollon heard the prayer of his priest, Chryses, and strode from Mount Olympos (Olympus) to Ilion (Troy) to punish the Achaeans (Achaians)
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• 01.064 - Achilles wants to ask a prophet of Zeus why Phoibos Apollon is so angry at the Achaeans (Achaians)
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• 01.072 - Kalchas (Calchas), the seer, was given his powers by Phoibos (Phoebus) Apollon
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• 01.075 - Kalchas (Calchas), the seer, asks Achilles for protection if his prophecy angers Agamemnon; his prophetic gifts were given to him by the lord who strikes from afar, i.e. Apollon
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• 01.086 - Achilles promises the seer, Kalchas (Calchas), protection and swears by Apollon that no man or king will harm him for speaking the truth
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• 01.110 - When the prophet Kalchas (Calchas) explains Apollon’s anger towards the Achaeans (Achaians), Agamemnon complains bitterly but agrees to return the girl, Chryseis, to her father
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• 01.147 - Agamemnon orders that the girl, Chryseis, be returned to her father and that a sacrifice be dedicated to The Archer, i.e. Apollon
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• 01.182 - Agamemnon says that if Phoibos (Phoebus) Apollon wishes the return of the girl, Chryseis, he will take another girl, Briseis, to replace her
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• 01.310 - Agamemnon sends Odysseus with the girl, Chryseis, and a hecatomb sacrifice for the god Apollon
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• 01.315 - Odysseus takes a perfect hecatomb of bulls and goats to be sacrificed to Apollon
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• 01.370 - Achilles tells his mother, Thetis, about Agamemnon’s ill treatment of Apollon’s priest, Chryses
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• 01.374 - Achilles tells his mother, Thetis, that the priest, Chryses, carried a staff with golden ribbons which represented Apollon
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• 01.380 - Achilles tells his mother, Thetis, that Apollon heard the prayer of Chryses and punished the Achaeans (Achaians) for showing disrespect to the god’s priest
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• 01.385 - Achilles tells his mother, Thetis, that the seer, Kalchas (Calchas), correctly interpreted the will of Apollon
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• 01.438 - Odysseus unloads the bulls and goats to be sacrificed to the archer, Apollon
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• 01.444 - Odysseus explains to the priest of Apollon, Chryses, that he has come to return his daughter and make a sacrifice to Apollon
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• 01.451 - The priest, Chryses, prayed to the lord of the silver bow, i.e. Apollon, that the punishment of the Achaeans (Achaians) be ended
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• 01.453 - The priest, Chryses calls Apollon the lord of the island of Tenedos
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• 01.457 - Phoibos (Phoebus) Apollon heard the prayer of his priest, Chryses
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• 01.473 - Odysseus and the other Achaeans (Achaians) sang a hymn to Apollon
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• 01.479 - On the morning after the sacrifice, Apollon sent favorable winds to propel Odysseus and his crew back to Troy
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• 01.603 - The Muse sang and Apollon played the lyre on Mount Olympos (Olympus)
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• 02.371 - Agamemnon prays to Zeus, Athene (Athena) and Apollon
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• 02.766 - The finest horses of the Danaans were bred by Apollon and owned by Eumelos (Eumelus) of Pereia
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• 04.101 - When Athene (Athena) encouraged the Trojan archer, Pandaros (Pandarus), to secretly shoot Menelaos (Menelaus), she told him to pray to Apollon the light-born, glorious archer
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• 04.119 - Pandaros (Pandarus) prayed to Apollon to guide his arrow aimed at Menelaos (Menelaus)
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• 04.288 - Agamemnon prays to Father Zeus, Athene (Athena) and Apollon
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• 04.507 - Apollon, watching from Mount Pergamus, called to the Trojans and encouraged them to fight harder
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• 04.514 - As Apollon encouraged the Trojans, Athene (Athena) strode through the battle and drove on the Achaeans (Achaians)
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• 05.104 - Pandaros (Pandarus) calls to the other Trojans and says that his prayers to Apollon have been answered and that he has wounded Diomedes
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• 05.344 - When Diomedes wounded Aphrodite she lost her grip on her son, Aineias (Aeneas), but Phoibos (Phoebus) Apollon caught him and covered him in mist
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• 05.433 - Diomedes tries to attack Aineias (Aeneas) even though Aineias is being protected by Apollon
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• 05.434 - Diomedes did not retreat from the great god, i.e. Apollon
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• 05.437 - Apollon brushes aside the attack of Diomedes
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• 05.440 - Apollon speaks to Diomedes and warns him not to press his attack
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• 05.444 - Diomedes listened to Apollon’s warning and did not press his attack as strongly
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• 05.454 - Apollon speaks to Ares about the violence of Diomedes
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• 05.460 - Apollon retreated to the peak of Mount Pergamus as Ares returned to the battlefield
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• 05.509 - Phoibos (Phoebus) Apollon of the golden sword encouraged Ares to awaken the fighting spirit of the Trojans
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• 05.512 - Apollon sends forth Aineias (Aeneas), unwounded
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• 05.518 - Aineias (Aeneas) returned from the fighting unwounded because the god of the silver bow (Apollon), Ares and Eris (Discord) were fighting with the Trojans
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• 05.760 - Hera speaks to Zeus and asks why Ares is allowed to rage against the Achaeans (Achaians) while Kypros (Aphrodite) and Apollon take their ease on Mount Olympos (Olympus)
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• 07.020 - Apollon goes to meet Athene (Athena) at Troy
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• 07.023 - Apollon addresses Athene (Athena) and asks why she has come from Mount Olympos (Olympus) to the battlefield
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• 07.034 - Athene (Athena) addresses Apollon as the ‘worker from afar’ and asks how they might cooperate to stop the fighting at Troy
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• 07.037 - Apollon suggests that he and Athene (Athena) rouse Hector to one-on-one combat with one of the Danaans
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• 07.058 - Apollon and Athene (Athena) assume the form of vultures and watch the unfolding battle from an oak tree
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• 07.081 - Hector prays to Apollon for glory and promises that anyone who will face him in one-on-one combat will be treated fairly
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• 07.083 - Hector promises to take the armor of anyone he kills and hang it in front of the temple of Apollon inside the walls of Troy
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• 07.132 - Nestor wishes that he was still young and uses the names of Zeus, Athene (Athena) and Apollon as an oath
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• 07.272 - When Aias beat Hector to the ground, Apollon came to help the Trojan hero
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• 08.311 - Apollon deflected an arrow aimed at Hector and caused it to strike his charioteer, Archeptolemos (Archeptolemus)
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• 08.540 - Hector wishes for honor like that of Athene (Athena) and Apollon
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• 09.404 - Achilles speaks of Apollon as ‘The Archer’
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• 09.405 - Achilles speaks of Phoibos (Phoebus) Apollon in Pytho, i.e. Delphi
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• 09.560 - Phoinix (Phoenix) relates the story of how, in days long past, a man named Idas was so brave that he dared to stand against Phoibos (Phoebus) Apollon when the god tried to steal his daughter
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• 09.564 - Phoenix relates the story of how Phoibos (Phoebus) Apollon took the young girl, Alkyone (Alcyone), from her mother and father
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• 10.515 - Apollon rushes to the sleeping Trojans to rouse them after Odysseus and Diomedes had secretly raided the Trojan camp
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• 11.353 - Hector is protected by Phoibos (Phoebus) Apollon’s helmet
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• 11.363 - Diomedes curses his foiled attack on Hector and says, ‘once again, Phoibos (Phoebus) Apollon has saved you’
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• 12.017 - Apollon and Poseidon take counsel to destroy the wall and ditch that the Danaans built to keep the Trojans away from the ships
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• 12.024 - Phoibos (Phoebus) Apollon turns the rivers of Mount Ida against the wall that the Danaans built
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• 12.034 - Poseidon and Apollon watch as the Trojans continue their attack against the wall and ditch that the Danaans built to protect their ships
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• 13.827 - Hector taunts Aias saying that if he had been a son of Zeus and Hera and honored like Apollon and Athene (Athena) all the Achaeans (Achaians) would die on his spear
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• 15.055 - Zeus sends Hera to Mount Olympos (Olympus) to summon Iris and Apollon
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• 15.059 - Zeus tells Hera that he wants to send Phoibos (Phoebus) Apollon to stir Hector back into battle
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• 15.143 - Hera calls to Apollon and Iris and tells them to go to Mount Ida and do Zeus’ bidding
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• 15.150 - Apollon and Iris leave Mount Olympos (Olympus) on their way to Mount Ida
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• 15.220 - Zeus speaks to Apollon and tells him to stir Hector back into battle
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• 15.221 - Zeus refers to Apollon as ‘beloved Phoibos (Phoebus)’
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• 15.231 - Zeus refers to Apollon as ‘Striker from Afar’
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• 15.236 - Apollon assumes the guise of a hawk and descends Mount Ida towards Troy
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• 15.243 - Apollon speaks to Hector and admonishes him for not joining the battle
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• 15.253 - Apollon tells Hector that he has been sent by Zeus to stand beside him in battle and protect him
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• 15.256 - Phoibos (Phoebus) Apollon tells Hector that he has used his gold sword to protect him in the past
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• 15.262 - Apollon breathed strength into Hector
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• 15.307 - Phoibos (Phoebus) Apollon, wrapped in mist and carrying the aegis of Zeus, led Hector into battle
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• 15.318 - When Apollon moved the aegis of Zeus, men and beasts lost their valor
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• 15.326 - Apollon drove the Achaeans (Achaians) back in terror and gave victory to the Trojans
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• 15.355 - Phoibos (Phoebus) Apollon leads the Trojans past the defensive ditch the Danaans had built and allowed them to attack the wall which protected the ships
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• 15.360 - With Apollon in front, the Trojans broke down the wall the Danaans had built to protect their ships
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• 15.365 - Lord Apollon drives the Argives back in terror
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• 15.441 - Aias calls to his brother, Teukros (Teucer), and asks about the bow and arrows that Phoibos (Phoebus) Apollon had given him
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• 15.521 - Apollon protects Poulydamas (Polydamas) from certain death at the hands of Meges
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• 16.094 - Achilles warns Patroklos (Patroclus) not to press the fight to the walls of Troy because Apollon loves the Trojans and will not permit their defeat
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• 16.097 - Achilles swears by Father Zeus, Athene (Athena) and Apollon and wishes that he and Patroklos (Patroclus) could breach the walls of Troy together
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• 16.513 - Glaukos (Glaucus) is wounded in battle and says a prayer to Apollon that he might be able to continue to fight
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• 16.527 - Phoibos (Phoebus) Apollon hears the prayer of Glaukos (Glaucus) and abates his pain so that he could continue to fight
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• 16.666 - Zeus commands Apollon to retrieve the body of Sarpedon and return him to his home in Lykia (Lycia)
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• 16.667 - Zeus calls Apollon ‘beloved Phoibos (Phoebus)’ as he sends him to retrieve the body of his son, Sarpedon
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• 16.676 - Apollon descends Mount Ida and retrieves the body of Sarpedon as Zeus has commanded
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• 16.700 - Phoibos (Phoebus) Apollon stands on the walls of Troy and foresees death for Patroklos (Patroclus)
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• 16.703 - As Patroklos (Patroclus) attacks the walls of Troy, Phoibos (Phoebus) Apollon batters him
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• 16.707 - Apollon speaks to Patroklos (Patroclus) and warns him that it is not destined for him to breach the walls of Troy
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• 16.711 - Patroklos (Patroclus) heeded Apollon’s warning and gave ground
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• 16.715 - Apollon stands by Hector in the guise of a young man named Asios (Asius)
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• 16.720 - Apollon speaks to Hector and asks why he has quit the fight
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• 16.725 - Apollon, in the guise of Asios (Asius), tells Hector to confront Patroklos (Patroclus)
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• 16.728 - Apollon goes into the battle and causes confusion in the ranks of the Achaeans (Achaians)
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• 16.788 - Phoibos (Phoebus) Apollon goes against Patroklos (Patroclus) cloaked in mist
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• 16.792 - Phoibos (Phoebus) Apollon strikes Patroklos (Patroclus) in the back
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• 16.804 - Apollon knocked the protective corselet from Patroklos (Patroclus)
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• 16.845 - The mortally wounded Patroklos (Patroclus) tells Hector that he knows he was defeated by Apollon
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• 17.071 - Phoibos (Phoebus) Apollon stirs Hector to capture the horses of Achilles
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• 17.118 - Aias tries to restore the valor of his men since Phoibos (Phoebus) Apollon had put terror in their hearts
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• 17.322 - Apollon assumes the guise of the herald, Periphas
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• 17.326 - Apollon, in the guise of the herald Periphas, stirs Aineias (Aeneas) into battle
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• 17.333 - Aineias (Aeneas) sees through the disguise and recognizes Apollon as a god
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• 17.582 - Apollon stands by Hector in the guise of the herald, Phainops
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• 17.585 - The disguised Apollon berates Hector and reminds him that Menelaos (Menelaus) has killed Podes
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• 18.454 - Phoibos (Phoebus) Apollon kept the Achaeans (Achaians) from storming the Skaian (Scaean) Gates of Troy
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• 20.038 - Ares and Phoibos (Phoebus) Apollon take the battlefield on the side of the Trojans
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• 20.068 - Phoibos (Phoebus) Apollon stood against Poseidon on the battlefield
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• 20.079 - Apollon inspires Aineias (Aeneas) to fight
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• 20.081 - Apollon takes the guise of king Priam’s son, Lykaon (Lycaon), and speaks to Aineias (Aeneas)
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• 20.103 - Apollon speaks to Aineias (Aeneas) and reminds him that although he is the son of the goddess Aphrodite, his father was a mortal
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• 20.118 - Hera speaks to Poseidon and Athene (Athena) and tells them that Phoibos (Phoebus) Apollon has sent Aineias (Aeneas) to fight against Achilles
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• 20.138 - Poseidon says that if Ares or Apollon joins the fight against Achilles he will stand against them
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• 20.295 - Poseidon speaks to the other Immortals and laments that Aineias (Aeneas) will die because Apollon will not protect him
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• 20.375 - Phoibos (Phoebus) Apollon speaks to Hector and tells him not to engage Achilles alone
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• 20.443 - Phoibos (Phoebus) Apollon wraps Hector in mist and saves him from certain death at the hands of Achilles
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• 20.450 - Frustrated that Hektor (Hektor) has escaped him, Achilles shouts ‘once more Phoibos (Phoebus) Apollon has saved you’
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• 21.228 - The river Skamandros (Scamander) speaks to Apollon and berates him for allowing Achilles to slaughter the Trojans
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• 21.229 - The river Skamandros (Scamander) refers to Apollon as ‘lord of the silver bow’
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• 21.278 - Achilles complains to Zeus that the river Skamandros (Scamander) is trying to kill him and that he was promised by his mother, Thetis, that he would die by the shafts of Apollon
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• 21.435 - Poseidon speaks to Apollon and encourages him to enter the fray; he suggests that the two gods fight one another
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• 21.436 - As the two gods face one another and prepare to fight, Poseidon refers to Apollon as ‘Phoibos (Pheobus)’ and says that since he is the younger he should be the first strike a blow
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• 21.448 - Poseidon reminds Phoibos (Phoebus) Apollon that he was wronged by the king of Troy (Laomedon) when the god bought cattle from Mount Ida
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• 21.461 - Apollon asks Poseidon why he should fight for the sake of the insignificant mortals
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• 21.470 - Apollon’s sister, Artemis, scolds him for not fighting Poseidon
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• 21.472 - Artemis refers to Apollon as ‘Striker from Afar’
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• 21.515 - Phoibos (Phoebus) Apollon enters Ilion (Troy) because he is concerned that the Danaans will breach the walls
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• 21.538 - Apollon defends the gate so that the Trojans can escape the murderous assault of Achilles
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• 21.545 - Phoibos (Phoebus) Apollon sent three Achaeans (Achaians) into the hands of Agenor to be killed
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• 21.596 - Apollon wrapped Agenor in a mist to save him from Achilles
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• 21.600 - Apollon takes the form of Agenor and leads Achilles away from the walls of Troy
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• 21.604 - Apollon tricked Achilles into chasing him while the Trojans found safety inside the walls of Troy
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• 22.006 - Apollon speaks to Achilles and asks why he vainly chases an immortal god
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• 22.015 - Achilles speaks to Apollon and wishes that he could punish the god for leading him away from the battle
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• 22.203 - Apollon stands by Hector for the last time
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• 22.213 - Apollon leaves Hector because he is destined to die
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• 22.220 - Athene (Athena) addresses Achilles and says that Apollon will no longer protect Hector
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• 22.299 - Hector knows that Deiphobos, i.e. Apollon, has deserted him when his spear-throw is diverted from Achilles
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• 22.302 - Hector laments that Zeus and Zeus’ son, i.e. Apollon, are pleased to see that his death is imminent
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• 22.359 - As he is dying, Hector warns Achilles that Phoibos (Phoebus) Apollon will destroy him
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• 23.188 - Phoibos (Phoebus) Apollon brought down a mist to protect the dead body of Hector so that it would not wither in the sun
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• 23.292 - Apollon had saved Aineias (Aeneas)’ life when Diomedes took his horses
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• 23.383 - At the funeral games of Patroklos (Patroclus), Apollon took the whip from Diomedes’ hands which made his horses lose ground in the chariot race
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• 23.388 - At the funeral games of Patroklos (Patroclus), Athene (Athena) saw Apollon interfere with Diomedes and gave back the whip that Apollon had knocked from his hand
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• 23.660 - At the funeral games of Patroklos (Patroclus), Achilles speaks of Apollon as he begins the boxing match
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• 23.865 - At the funeral games of Patroklos (Patroclus),Apollon hinders Teukros’ (Teucer) arrow during archery competition
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• 23.872 - At the funeral games of Patroklos (Patroclus), Meriones prays to Apollon to guide his arrow during archery competition
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• 24.018 - Apollon took pity on the dead body of Hector and guarded it from all ugliness
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• 24.032 - Apollon speaks to the other gods and asks them to return the body of Hector to his family
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• 24.604 - Achilles tells Priam how Apollon had killed Niobe’s sons and Artemis had killed her daughters
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• 24.759 - In death, Hector looks handsome and fresh as if he had been killed with the gentle arrows from Apollon’s silver bow

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Apollon in The Odyssey

(listed by book and line)

The line numbers listed here correspond fairly well with the Lattimore and Murray/Dimock translations of The Odyssey. Other translations (Fitzgerald, Fagles et al) do not correspond as well but, with a small amount of effort, you should be able to find the reference you need regardless of the translation you use. Richmond Lattimore (ISBN 0060931957); A.T. Murray/George E. Dimock Vol. I & II (ISBN 0674995619 and 0674995627); Robert Fitzgerald (ISBN 0374525749); Robert Fagles (ISBN 0140268863)

• 03.279 - Phoibos (Phoebus) Apollon’s painless arrow killed the helmsman of Menelaos’ (Menelaus) boat
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• 04.341 - While talking to Telemachos (Telemachus), Menelaos (Menelaus) prays to Father Zeus, Athene (Athena) and Apollon that Odysseus will return to his home to eject Penelope’s suitors
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• 06.162 - Odysseus speaks to Nausikaa and tells her that he has not seen anyone as lovely since he visited Apollon’s altar on the island of Delos
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• 07.064 - Athene (Athena) informs Odysseus that Apollon shot Rhexenor, the father of the queen of the Phaiakians (Phaeacians)
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• 07.311 - King Alkinoos (Alcinous) prays to Father Zeus, Athene (Athena) and Apollon and wishes that Odysseus could be his son-in-law
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• 08.079 - The singer, Demodokos (Demodocus), mentions the prophecy of Phoibos (Phoebus) Apollon that was given to Agamemnon at Pylos, i.e. Delphi; the prophecy predicted the quarrel between Odysseus and Achilles
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• 08.227 - Apollon killed Eurytos (Eurytus) because he challenged the god to an archery competition
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• 08.323 - Hermes and Apollon came to witness Ares and Aphrodite caught in the trap that Hephaistos (Hephaestus) had made
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• 08.334 - Apollon asks Hermes if he would endure the snares of Hephaistos (Hephaestus) if he could share the bed of Aphrodite
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• 08.339 - Hermes tells Lord Apollon that he would endure thrice the bonds that Hephaistos (Hephaestus) used to snare Ares if he could only share the bed of Aphrodite
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• 08.488 - Odysseus tells the singer Demodokos (Demodocus) that either the Muse or Apollon had given him his gift
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• 09.198 - When he explored the island of the Cyclops, Odysseus carried a potent wine that a priest of Apollon, Maron, had given him
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• 09.201 - The priest, Maron, made his home in a grove sacred to Phoibos (Phoebus) Apollon
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• 11.318 - Odysseus refers to Apollon as ‘the son of Zeus and Leto’
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• 11.319 - Apollon killed Otos (Otus) and Ephialtes while they were still young
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• 15.245 - The prophet Theoklymenos (Theoclymenus) tells Telemachos (Telemachus) how Zeus and Apollon loved the warrior Amphiaraos (Amphiaraus)
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• 15.252 - Polypheides was made into a prophet by Apollon
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• 15.410 - Apollon and Artemis come to the island of Syria and kill the aged painlessly with silver arrows
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• 15.526 - A falcon, messenger of Apollon, tore a pigeon with its claws in front of the assembled men of the island of Ithaka (Ithaca) as conformation that Telemachos (Telemachus) spoke with the authority of the gods
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• 17.132 - Telemachos (Telemachus) tells his mother, Penelope, what Menelaos (Menelaus) said about Odysseus and how he had prayed to father Zeus, Athene (Athena) and Apollon that Odysseus would return home and eject Penelope’s suitors
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• 17.251 - The goatherd, Melanthios (Melanthius), wished that Apollon would strike down Telemachos (Telemachus)
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• 17.494 - Penelope prayed that The Archer, Apollon, would strike down the man who had attacked the disguised Odysseus in her home
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• 18.235 - Telemachos (Telemachus) wishes to Father Zeus, Athene (Athena) and Apollon that Penelope’s suitors would be ejected from his house
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• 19.086 - Telemachos (Telemachus) grew to be a man by the grace of Apollon
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• 20.278 - A sacrifice is taken to the grove of Apollon
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• 21.268 - A sacrifice is proposed to The Archer, Apollon, while Penelope’s suitors are postponing the attempt to string the bow of Odysseus
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• 21.338 - Penelope urges the suitors to let the disguised Odysseus try to string the bow and says that if Apollon grants him that glory she will give him many fine gifts
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• 21.364 - Penelope’s suitors cry out as the swineherd gives the bow to Odysseus and exclaim that they wish that Apollon and the other Immortals were more propitious towards them
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• 22.007 - Odysseus asks Apollon to grant him glory as he tears off his disguises and turns the bow on Penelope’s suitors
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• 24.376 - Odysseus‘ father, Laertes, wishes to Father Zeus, Athene (Athena) and Apollon that he was young again so that he could help Odysseus and Telemachos (Telemachus) fight Penelope’s suitors

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Other Text References

The Shield of Herakles

• line 58 - Herakles found Kyknos (Cycnus) and his father Ares (god of War) in the sanctuary of Apollon
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• line 68 - Phoibos (Phoebus) Apollon had stirred Herakles to fight Kyknos (Cycnus)
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• line 70 - The grove and altar of Pagasaean Apollon flamed in anticipation of the of the fight between Herakles and Kyknos (Cycnus)
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• line 100 - Herakles tells Iolaos (Iolaus) that even though Ares (god of War) is raging through the grove of Phoibos (Phoebus) Apollon, he (Ares) will not enter the fight
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• line 478 - Apollon commanded the river Anauros (Anaurus) to blot out the grave of Kyknos (Cycnus)

The Great Eoiae

• fragment 5 - Thero lay in the embrace of Apollon and their son was horse-taming Chaeron
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• fragment 12 - The seer Melampous (Melampus) was very dear to Apollon
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• fragment 13 - Skylla (Scylla) is the daughter of Phoibos (Phoebus) and Hekate (Hecate)
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• fragment 16 - Apollon was seized with love for Magnes and while he was distracted, Hermes stole his cattle

The Melampodia

• fragment 8 - Hesiod says that Amphilochus was killed by Apollon at Soli

The Epigoni

• fragment 3 - Manto the daughter of the seer Teiresias was sent to Delphi by the Epigoni and that in accordance with an oracle of Apollon, married Rhakios (Rhacius)

The Aethiopis

• fragment 1 - After killing of Thersites, Achilles sails to Lesbos and sacrifices to Apollon, Artemis (goddess lf the Hunt) and Leto; he is then purified by Odysseus of his blood-guilt
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• fragment 1 - After entering Troy, Achilles is killed by Alexandros (Paris) and Apollon

The Telegony

• fragment 1, line 15 - When Odysseus was fighting with the Brygi, Athene (Athena) and Ares (god of War) fought until Apollon separated them

The Margites

• fragment 2 - A old man came to Kolophon (Colophon) who was a divine singer and a servant of the Muses and of far-shooting Apollon

The Contest of Homer and Hesiod

• section 17 - Some say that Hesiod could trace his heritage back to Apollon and Aethusa, daughter of Poseidon (lord of the Sea)
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• section 324 - For composing a poem honoring King Midas, Homer was given a silver bowl which he dedicated to Apollon at Delphi
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• section 325 - For composing a Hymn to Apollon, the Ionians made Homer a citizen of each one of their states

The Argonautika

• book 1, line 860 - When the women of Lemnos and the Argonauts began to celebrate, they praised Apollon and Aphrodite (goddess of Love)

The Histories

• 1.50 - King Kroesus (Croesus) of Lydia endeavored to win the favor of the god at Delphi (Apollon)
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• 1.52 - King Kroesus (Croesus) of Lydia dedicated a gold shield and spear in the temple of Ismenian Apollon at Thebes
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• 1.69 - When the Spartans tried to buy gold from King Kroesus (Croesus) of Lydia to make a statue of Apollon, he offered the gold as a gift and won their friendship
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• 1.87 - When King Kroesus (Croseus) of Lydia was being burned at the stake by Cyrus of Persia, he called upon Apollon to save him; clouds gathered in an clear sky and rain quenched the flames
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• 1.91 - Apollon (Loxias) could not prevent the sad destiny which was prescribed for King Kroesus (Croseus) of Lydia
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• 1.92 - The offerings which King Kroesus (Croseus) of Lydia made to Apollon were extravagant and numerous
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• 1.144 - The games of the Triopian Apollon were restricted to participants from Ionian cities
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• 2.83 - The Egyptians had oracles of Herakles (Heracles), Apollon, Athene (Athena), Artemis (goddess of the Hunt), Ares (god of War), and Zeus but the oracle of Leto was most honored
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• 2.144 - The last god-king of Egypt was Horus, known to the Greeks as Apollon
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• 2.155 - In the Egyptian city of Buto there is an oracle of Leto, Apollon and Artemis (goddess of the Hunt)
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• 2.156 - The Egyptians believed that Apollon and Artemis (goddess of the Hunt) are children of Dionysos (Bacchus, god of Wine) and of Isis; Leto became their nurse and preserver of Apollon and Artemis; the Egyptians knew Dionysos as Osiris and Apollon as Horus
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• 2.159 - King Necos of Egypt dedicated his garments to Apollon after his conquest of several cities in Syria
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• 2.178 - The Milesians established a temple for Apollon
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• 3.52 - King Periander of Corinth levied a fine on anyone who spoke to his son; the fine was to be paid to Apollon
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• 4.15 - An apparition of Aristeas appeared in Metapontion in Italy and instructed the people to set up an altar to Apollon
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• 4.59 - The Scythians worship Histia (Hestia, goddess of the Hearth), Zeus, Gaia (Earth) as the wife of Zeus, Apollon, Aphrodite (goddess of Love), Herakles (Heracles) and Ares (god of War)
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• 4.155 - The priestess of Apollon at Delphi told Battus (Battos) of Thera to establish a settlement in Libya
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• 4.158 - The Libyans took the colonists from Thera to the spring of Apollon and insisted that it was a good place to live because heaven is pierced with holes at that place
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• 4.163 - The priestess at Delphi said that Loxias (Apollon) decreed that the descendants of Battus (Battos) would rule Kyrene (Cyrene) for eight generations
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• 5.59 - Herodotus describes the ancient script he saw on tripods at the Temple of Ismenian Apollon at Thebes
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• 5.60 - Herodotus describes the ancient script he saw on tripods referring to far-darting Apollon
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• 5.61 - Herodotus describes the ancient script he saw on tripods referring to fair-aiming Apollon
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• 6.57 - The Spartan kings had special privileges which included the delivery to the Temple of Apollon of a sacrificial victim on every new moon and the seventh day of the month
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• 6.80 - Kleomenes (Cleomenes) lamented to Apollon that he had been deceived when he burned the sacred grove of Argos
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• 6.118 - A golden statue of Apollon was stolen from a temple at Thebes and was not returned for twenty years
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• 7.26 - The skin of Marsyas the Silenos, which is said to have been flayed off and hung up by Apollon, was hung in the city of Kelainai
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• 8.33 - The oracle Temple of Apollon at Abai was plundered and burned by the barbarians
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• 8.134 - The Persian commander Mardonios sent a man named Mys to various oracles including that of Ismenian Apollon at Thebes

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