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Table of Contents
There are several Greek and Roman gods and goddesses. One of the most popular and significant gods is Apollo. He is also considered one of the most influential and worshipped gods in Greek mythology. Among the gods, his name is the only one that is the same in Greek and Roman mythology.
See the fact file below for more information on the Greek and Roman God Apollo, or alternatively, you can download our 22-page Apollo worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.
Key Facts & Information
The Birth of Apollo
- Apollo is often described as athletic and handsome.
- He has curly hair and wears a laurel wreath.
- Apollo is known as the god of light.
- However, he is also the god of light, sun, music, poetry, art, archery, medicine, plague, truth, and prophecy.
- He is the son of Zeus, the god of thunder and Leto.
- Artemis, the goddess of hunting, is Apollo’s twin sister.
- The birth of Apollo and Artemis was not ordinary.
- When Hera, Zeus’ wife, found out that Leto was pregnant with the twins, she was angry and cursed Leto.
- Hera prevented Leto from giving birth to the twins anywhere on earth.
- Eventually, Leto found the floating island of Delos, and there, she gave birth to Apollo and Artemis.
- Apollo was kept safe from Hera by eating nectar and ambrosia after their birth.
- Eating ambrosia made him transform from a baby into a grown man.
- Apollo matured when he grew and sought revenge.
- Both Artemis and Apollo had great love for their mother. In fact, Apollo slayed different creatures to protect Leto.
- Just a few days after his birth, he went to Parnassus and fought a dragon named Python. The python escaped and hid in Delphi.
- He dared to violate the sacredness of the place by staining it with the dragon’s blood.
- Apollo claimed the shrine and became Delphi’s patron god after Zeus ordered him to cleanse himself.
- He built the Oracle in Delphi, where he helped his followers tell the future.
- People would travel to visit the place and learn their future.
- Delos and Delphi became the sacred places to worship Zeus, Leto, Artemis, and Apollo.
Symbols
- The symbols representing Apollo are a lyre, bow, arrow, laurel, and raven.
- The craftsman of Mount Olympus, Hephaestus, gave Apollo his bow and arrow when he asked for them for protection.
- One of the representations of his silver bow and arrow symbolized his victory with the Python.
- His bow and arrow were also significant when he used them to shoot plague arrows in the Trojan war.
- Two lyres can be connected to Apollo.
- Hermes gave his half-brother, Apollo, the tortoiseshell lyre in exchange for the cattle he had stolen from Apollo when they were young.
- Apollo made the other lyre, and its strings were torn by him as his repentance for his sins.
- Apollo’s anger was symbolized by the raven.
- According to myth, the ravens were all white before.
- When a raven brought Apollo the bad news that his lover Coronis was having an affair with Ischys, he was so mad that he scorched the raven’s wings.
- The laurel wreath he wore was said to symbolize his love for Daphne.
Apollo’s Love Interests
- Apollo was linked with six women namely Coronis, Marpessa, Daphne, Cyparissus, Hyacinthus, and Cassandra.
- Coronis and Apollo had a son named Asclepius.
- Coronis was pregnant with him when she had an affair with Ischys.
- When Apollo knew of the affair, he was so angry that he ordered Artemis to kill Coronis and turned the white raven who brought the news black.
- After Coronis, Apollo laid his eyes on Marpessa.
- Marpessa had a lover named Idas who would do anything just to be with her.
- Idas was ready to fight and attack Apollo.
- Zeus became a mediator and allowed Marpessa to choose between the god Apollo and the mortal Idas.
- In the end, Marpessa chose Idas because she was afraid that Apollo would not love her anymore when she grew old.
- The next woman Apollo pursued was Cassandra.
- Apollo attempted to seduce her by giving her the gift of prophecy.
- Cassandra withdrew from their deal, and because Apollo was not allowed to retrieve the gift, he thought of a way to spoil it.
- Cassandra’s ability to persuade was taken away by Apollo, so even though her predictions were correct, no one believed her.
- Among his love interests, Apollo’s relationship with Daphne was the most popular.
- Daphne was a nymph and the daughter of the river god Peneus, who swore to Artemis to remain innocent forever.
- However, Apollo fell in love with her and had been stalking her, which made Daphne uncomfortable.
- Daphne asked her father to change her into something else.
- Daphne turned into a laurel tree when she was about to be embraced by Apollo.
- Apollo promised to love her forever.
- Thus, he wore the laurel wreath as a symbol of his tragic love.
- Apollo had male lovers as well, namely Cyparissus and Hyacinthus.
- Cyparissus accidentally killed the deer given by Apollo, and as his punishment, he asked Apollo to let him be forever unhappy.
- Although Apollo didn’t like it, he turned Cyparissus into a cypress tree.
- Hyacinthus loved Apollo, and he was also Apollo’s favorite.
- Zephyrus, who loved Hyacinthus as well, was jealous of the relationship they had.
- When Apollo and Hyacinthus were in the field practicing throwing the discus, Zephyrus wounded Hyacinthus in the head when he swerved the discus of Hyacinthus.
- Apollo tried saving him, but this killed Hyacinthus.
- To honor Hyacinthus, Apollo made a flower out of his spilled blood.
- Apollo had several children, but the most popularly known among them are Orpheus and Asclepius.
Mythology
- Apollo played an important character in Homer’s Trojan War in the Iliad.
- He gave his aid to Trojan heroes, Hector, Aeneas, and Glaukos.
- Apollo saved their lives countless times through his divine intervention.
- As his title god of plague, Apollo gave the Achaeans plague which was of great help to the Trojan army in attacking and destroying the Greek camps.
- He also played a notable role in beating the invincible Greek hero, Achilles.
- He led Paris’ arrow to Achilles’ heel, which eventually killed Achilles.
- Apollo was always obedient to his father, Zeus.
- He never attempted to overthrow his father from his position.
- However, their relationship turned bad when Zeus killed Apollo’s son, Asclepius, for using his exceptional medicinal skills by bringing a mortal back to life.
- As Apollo’s revenge, he killed Cyclops, who gave thunderbolts to Zeus.
- Apollo’s punishment was to spend a year of service to King Admetus of Pherae by tending his sheep.
Art and Architecture
- In Greek art, Apollo is often described as a beautiful beardless youth.
- He can also be easily identified by his lyre, a bronze tripod, a deer or bow, and quiver.
- He can also be depicted with a chariot pulled by lions or swans.
- One of the most famous representations in Greek art of Apollo was his statue which was the main attraction in the west pediment of the Temple of Zeus in Olympia.
- His head was also often in Greek coins.
- Romans have always been fond of Apollo.
- Apollo Belvedere, their most celebrated marble statue of Apollo, is now in Vatican Museums in Rome.
- There were various temples built for Apollo.
- The most notable ones were built on the islands of Delos and Rhodes and at Ptoion and Claros.
- In Naxos, the massive doorway of the temple of Apollo can still be seen.
- Some other places where temples of Apollo were built are Corinth, Hierapolis, Didyma, and Side, Turkey.
Religion and Beliefs
- Apollo is said to be a significant pastoral deity.
- Cults established in some cities emphasize other aspects of Apollo, such as his connection with young men or ephebes and males and his ability to heal.
- Apollo established and proved himself as a healer in the Greek East from the 6th to 4th century BCE. However, the role was slowly taken away by his son, Asclepius.
- Healing sanctuaries, such as in Epidaurus or Kos, were shared by the father and son.
- Despite this, documents stated that private worship had focused mainly on Asclepius.
- Apollo was also known as a divinity who chased evil away.
- Apollo and Artemis guarded the city gates.
- In times of catastrophe, it was believed that an image of the archer Apollo could protect a city against illnesses.
- Stone pillars used as Apolline symbols are found in private houses for protection.
- Apollonian festivals are also celebrated to honor Apollo.
- Some of these festivals include Daphnephoria, Boedromia, Delia, Carpiae, Metageitnia, Hyacinthia, Pythia, Pyanepsia, Thargelia, and Carneia.
Fun Facts
- In Delphi, Pythian games are commemorated to honor Apollo.
- Apollo is acknowledged as the most beautiful Greek god.
- The spacecraft that first took humans to the Moon was named after him.
- Zeus temporarily removed Apollo’s immortal powers twice.
- Nymphs were Apollo’s weaknesses and he was considered unlucky in love.
- Apollo was involved in several relationships, but never got married.
- He was also one of the twelve Olympians.
- Apollo could be cruel, but he was known to be kind to his sister and mother.
Apollo Worksheets
This is a fantastic bundle that includes everything you need to know about the Greek and Roman God Apollo across 22 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use worksheets that are perfect for teaching kids about Apollo, who is considered one of the most influential and worshipped gods in Greek mythology. Among the gods, his name is the only one that is the same in Greek and Roman mythology.
Complete List of Included Worksheets
Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.
- Apollo Facts
- All About Apollo
- Just a Myth
- God of Many Things
- Symbols
- Apollo’s Love
- Share and Tell
- Song for Apollo
- Healing
- Sculpture of Apollo
- Visiting Apollo
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Apollo a good god?
Apollo is the god who helps people and protects them from harm. He is also known as the “averter of evil” because he helps keep people safe from harm.
Who did Apollo love the most?
Daphne was the love of Apollo. She was a nymph who had promised the goddess Artemis that she would stay innocent. However, Apollo persistently followed her. Daphne asked her father for help. Just as Apollo was about to hug her, she turned into a laurel tree. Ever since the god swore to love her forever. You can see Apollo always wears a laurel wreath as a sign of his unhappy love.
How did Apollo lose his immortality?
Zeus temporarily took away Apollo’s immortality twice. The first time was when Apollo killed his son Asclepius. Asclepius was a great healer who brought the Greek hero Hippolytus back from the dead, which went against fate.
Zeus was angry with Poseidon and Apollo when they tried to overthrow him. As punishment, Zeus made them spend years working hard as humans. They were forced to build the walls of Troy. These walls made the city difficult to conquer.
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Use With Any Curriculum
These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.