What is the origin of the name Apollo in ancient texts?
The name Apollo appears in Linear B tablets as the fragment ]pe-rjo-[. Scholars debate whether this represents the god himself or a different figure named Hyperion.
Questions about Apollo
Short answers, pulled from the story.
When did Delphi and Delos become primary centers of worship for Apollo?
Delphi and Delos served as the two primary centers of worship for Apollo starting in the 8th century BCE. These sanctuaries remained active from early Mycenaean times through the Roman period until Julian the Apostate failed to revive them in the 4th century CE.
Which temple was the first built completely out of stone in the Greek west?
The Temple of Apollo at Syracuse became the first temple in the Greek west built completely out of stone. A massive Ionic temple started construction at Didyma around 540 BC but ceased work before restarting in 330 BC.
How did Augustus honor Apollo with a new temple on the Palatine hill?
Augustus dedicated the Temple of Apollo Palatinus on the Palatine hill in 28 BC using solid marble blocks for its facade. The cult spread widely across the Roman Empire including temples built in Pompeii and Rome itself.
What happened during the birth of Apollo on the island of Delos?
Leto labored for nine days and nine nights before Apollo leapt forth from his mother's womb. Swans circled the island seven times during the birth signaling his future role playing the seven-stringed lyre.