Editing Apollo (section)

==Temples of Apollo==
{{Main|Ancient Greek temple|Roman temple}}

[[File:The Temple of Apollo Epikourios at Bassae, east colonnade, Arcadia, Greece (14087181020).jpg|thumb|Partial view of the temple of Apollo Epikurios (healer) at [[Bassae]] in southern Greece]]

Many temples were dedicated to Apollo in Greece and the Greek colonies. They show the spread of the cult of Apollo and the evolution of Greek architecture, which was mostly based on the rightness of form and on mathematical relations. Some of the earliest temples, especially in [[Crete]], do not belong to any Greek order. It seems that the first peripteral temples were rectangular wooden structures. The different wooden elements were considered [[divinity|divine]], and their forms were preserved in the marble or stone elements of the temples of [[Doric order]]. The Greeks used standard types because they believed that the world of objects was a series of typical forms which could be represented in several instances. The temples should be [[Canon (basic principle)|canonic]], and the architects were trying to achieve this esthetic perfection.<ref>To know what a thing is, we must know the look of it": Rhys Carpenter: ''The esthetic basis of Greek art''. Indiana University Press. p. 108</ref> From the earliest times there were certain rules strictly observed in rectangular peripteral and prostyle buildings. The first buildings were built narrowly in order to hold the roof, and when the dimensions changed some mathematical relations became necessary in order to keep the original forms. This probably influenced the theory of numbers of [[Pythagoras]], who believed that behind the appearance of things there was the permanent principle of mathematics.<ref name="C. M. Bowra 1957 p. 166">C. M. Bowra (1957), ''The Greek Experience'', p. 166.</ref>

The [[Doric order]] dominated during the 6th and the 5th century BC but there was a mathematical problem regarding the position of the triglyphs, which could not be solved without changing the original forms. The order was almost abandoned for the [[Ionic order]], but the Ionic capital also posed an insoluble problem at the corner of a temple. Both orders were abandoned for the [[Corinthian order]] gradually during the Hellenistic age and under Rome.{{Citation needed|date=December 2024}}

The most important temples are:

===Greek temples===
[[File:TempleDelos.jpg|thumb|Temple of the Delians at [[Delos]], dedicated to Apollo (478 BC). 19th-century pen-and-wash restoration.]]
[[File:Portara Naxos 28.jpg|thumb|Gate at the [[Temple of Apollo (Naxos)]]]]
*[[Thebes, Greece]]: The oldest temple probably dedicated to ''Apollo Ismenius'' was built in the 9th century BC. It seems that it was a curvilinear building. The [[Doric order|Doric]] temple was built in the early 7th century BC, but only some small parts have been found.<ref>William Dinsmoor (1950),''The architecture of Ancient Greece'', p. 218, {{ISBN|0-8196-0283-3}}</ref> A festival called [[Daphnephoria]] was celebrated every ninth year in honour of Apollo Ismenius (or Galaxius). The people held laurel branches (daphnai), and at the head of the procession walked a youth (chosen priest of Apollo), who was called "daphnephoros".<ref name="William Smith 1875. p. 384">William Smith.'' A Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities'', John Murray, London, 1875. p. 384</ref>
*[[Eretria]]: According to the Homeric hymn to Apollo, the god arrived on the plain, seeking for a location to establish its oracle. The first temple of ''Apollo Daphnephoros'', "Apollo, laurel-bearer", or "carrying off Daphne", is dated to 800 BC. The temple was curvilinear ''hecatombedon'' (a hundred feet). In a smaller building were kept the bases of the laurel branches which were used for the first building. Another temple probably peripteral was built in the 7th century BC, with an inner row of wooden columns over its Geometric predecessor. It was rebuilt peripteral around 510 BC, with the [[stylobate]] measuring 21.00 x 43.00 m. The number of [[pteron]] column was 6 x 14.<ref>[http://odysseus.culture.gr/h/2/eh251.jsp?obj_id=1689 Hellenic Ministry of culture, Temple of Apollo Daphnephoros] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140912212901/http://odysseus.culture.gr/h/2/eh251.jsp?obj_id=1689 |date=12 September 2014 }}</ref><ref>Rufus B. Richardson, "A Temple in Eretria" ''The American Journal of Archaeology and of the History of the Fine Arts'', '''10'''.3 (July – September 1895:326–337)</ref> 
*[[Dreros]] ([[Crete]]). The temple of ''Apollo Delphinios'' dates from the 7th century BC, or probably from the middle of the 8th century BC. According to the legend, Apollo appeared as a dolphin, and carried Cretan priests to the port of [[Delphi]].<ref name="Martin Nilsson 1967 p. 529">Martin Nilsson (1967). Vol&nbsp;I, p.&nbsp;529</ref> The dimensions of the plan are 10.70 x 24.00 m and the building was not peripteral. It contains column-bases of the [[Minoan civilization|Minoan]] type, which may be considered as the predecessors of the [[Doric order|Doric]] columns.<ref>Robertson pp. [https://books.google.com/books?id=l3Ln6KMGio0C&pg=PA56 56], [https://books.google.com/books?id=l3Ln6KMGio0C&pg=PA323 323].</ref>
*[[Gortyn]] ([[Crete]]). A temple of ''Pythian Apollo'', was built in the 7th century BC. The plan measured 19.00 x 16.70 m and it was not peripteral. The walls were solid, made from limestone, and there was a single door on the east side.{{Citation needed|date=December 2024}}
*[[Thermon]] ([[West Greece]]): The [[Doric order|Doric]] temple of ''Apollo Thermios'', was built in the middle of the 7th century BC. It was built on an older curvilinear building dating perhaps from the 10th century, on which a [[peristyle]] was added. The temple was narrow, and the number of pteron columns (probably wooden) was 5 x 15. There was a single row of inner columns. It measures 12.13 x 38.23 m at the stylobate, which was made from stones.<ref name="Spivey, p. 112">Spivey, p. 112</ref> 
[[File:Apollotempel.gif|thumb|left|Floor plan of the temple of Apollo, Corinth]] 
*[[Corinth]]: A [[Doric order|Doric]] temple was built in the 6th century BC. The temple's [[stylobate]] measures 21.36 x 53.30 m, and the number of pteron columns was 6 x 15. There was a double row of inner columns. The style is similar to the Temple of Alcmeonidae at [[Delphi]].<ref>Robertson p. 87</ref> The Corinthians were considered to be the inventors of the [[Doric order]].<ref name="Spivey, p. 112"/> 
*Napes ([[Lesbos]]): An [[Aeolic order|Aeolic]] temple probably of ''Apollo Napaios'' was built in the 7th century BC. Some special capitals with floral ornament have been found, which are called [[Aeolic order|Aeolic]], and it seems that they were borrowed from the East.<ref name=Robertson324>D.S Robertson(1945):''A handbook of Greek and Roman architecture'', Cambridge University Press pp. 324–329</ref> 
*[[Cyrene, Libya]]: The oldest [[Doric order|Doric]] temple of Apollo was built in {{circa|600 BC}}. The number of pteron columns was 6 x 11, and it measures 16.75 x 30.05 m at the stylobate. There was a double row of sixteen inner columns on stylobates. The capitals were made from stone.<ref name=Robertson324/> 
[[File:Apollonaukratis.png|thumb|Inscriptions for Apollo, Naukratis]]
*[[Naukratis]]: An [[Ionic order|Ionic]] temple was built in the early 6th century BC. Only some fragments have been found and the earlier ones, made from limestone, are identified among the oldest of the [[Ionic order]].<ref>Robertson, p. 98</ref>
[[File:Siracusa-Temple-of-Apoll-Plan-bjs.png|thumb|Floor plan of the temple of Apollo, Syracuse]]
*[[Syracuse, Sicily]]: A [[Doric order|Doric]] temple was built at the beginning of the 6th century BC. The temple's [[stylobate]] measures 21.47 x 55.36 m and the number of pteron columns was 6 x 17. It was the first temple in Greek west built completely out of stone. A second row of columns were added, obtaining the effect of an inner porch.<ref>Mertens 2006, pp. 104–109.</ref> 
*[[Selinus]] ([[Sicily]]):The [[Doric order|Doric]] [[Temple C (Selinus)|Temple C]] dates from 550 BC, and it was probably dedicated to Apollo. The temple's stylobate measures 10.48 x 41.63 m and the number of pteron columns was 6 x 17. There was a portico with a second row of columns, which is also attested for the temple at [[Syracuse, Sicily|Syracuse]].<ref>[[Inscriptiones Graecorum|IG]] XIV 269</ref>
*[[Delphi]]: The first temple dedicated to Apollo, was built in the 7th century BC. According to the legend, it was wooden made of laurel branches. The "Temple of Alcmeonidae" was built in {{circa|513 BC}} and it is the oldest Doric temple with significant marble elements. The temple's stylobate measures 21.65 x 58.00 m, and the number of pteron columns as 6 x 15.<ref>[http://www.ancient-greece.org/architecture/delphi-temple-of-apollo.html Temple of Apollo at Delphi], Ancient-Greece.org</ref> A fest similar with Apollo's fest at [[Thebes, Greece]] was celebrated every nine years. A boy was sent to the temple, who walked on the sacred road and returned carrying a laurel branch (''dopnephoros''). The maidens participated with joyful songs.<ref name="William Smith 1875. p. 384"/> 
*[[Chios]]: An [[Ionic order|Ionic]] temple of ''Apollo Phanaios'' was built at the end of the 6th century BC. Only some small parts have been found and the capitals had floral ornament.<ref name=Robertson324/> 
*[[Abae]] ([[Phocis (ancient region)|Phocis]]). The temple was destroyed by the [[Persia]]ns in the invasion of [[Xerxes I of Persia|Xerxes]] in 480 BC, and later by the [[Boeotia]]ns. It was rebuilt by [[Hadrian]].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Smith|first1=William|title=New classical dictionary of biography, mythology, and geography|publisher=J. Murray|date=1850|page=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_5_oGAAAAQAAJ/page/n83 1]|url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_5_oGAAAAQAAJ|access-date=14 October 2017}}</ref> The oracle was in use from early [[Mycenae]]an times to the Roman period, and shows the continuity of Mycenaean and Classical Greek religion.<ref>See reports of the German Archaeological Institute in Archaeological Reports for 2008/9 43–45</ref> 
[[File:Bassai Temple of Apollo Plan.svg|left|thumb|Floor plan of the Temple of Apollo at Bassae]] 
*[[Bassae]] ([[Peloponnesus]]): A temple dedicated to ''Apollo Epikourios'' ("Apollo the helper"), was built in 430 BC, designed by [[Iktinos]]. It combined [[Doric order|Doric]] and [[Ionic order|Ionic]] elements, and the earliest use of a column with a [[Corinthian order|Corinthian]] capital in the middle.<ref>[http://odysseus.culture.gr/h/3/eh351.jsp?obj_id=6664 Hellenic Ministry of Culture: The Temple of Epicurean Apollo] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070509054416/http://odysseus.culture.gr/h/3/eh351.jsp?obj_id=6664 |date=9 May 2007 }}.</ref> The temple is of a relatively modest size, with the [[stylobate]] measuring 14.5 x 38.3 metres containing a [[Doric order|Doric]] [[peristyle]] of 6 x 15 columns. The roof left a central space open to admit light and air.<ref name="WHO">[http://www.worldheritagesite.org/sites/apolloepicurius.html Temple of Apollo Epicurius at Bassae] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061231045240/http://www.worldheritagesite.org/sites/apolloepicurius.html|date=31 December 2006}}, World Heritage Site.</ref>
*[[Delos]]: A temple probably dedicated to Apollo and not peripteral, was built in the late 7th century BC, with a plan measuring 10.00 x 15.60 m. The [[Doric order|Doric]] Great temple of Apollo, was built in {{circa|475 BC}}. The temple's stylobate measures 13.72 x 29.78 m, and the number of pteron columns as 6 x 13. Marble was extensively used.<ref name=Robertson324/>
*[[Ambracia]]: A [[Doric order|Doric]] peripteral temple dedicated to ''Apollo Pythios Sotir'' was built in 500 BC, at the centre of the Greek city [[Arta, Greece|Arta]]. Only some parts have been found, and it seems that the temple was built on earlier sanctuaries dedicated to Apollo. The temple measures 20.75 x 44.00 m at the [[stylobate]]. The foundation which supported the statue of the god, still exists.<ref>[http://odysseus.culture.gr/h/2/eh251.jsp?obj_id=7002 Ministry of culture. Temple of Apollo Pythios Sotir] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141202081651/http://odysseus.culture.gr/h/2/eh251.jsp?obj_id=7002 |date=2 December 2014 }}</ref>
[[File:Tempel des Apollo Didymaeos in Milet.png|right|thumb|Temple of Apollo, Didyma]]
*[[Didyma]] (near [[Miletus]]): The gigantic [[Ionic order|Ionic]] temple of ''Apollo Didymaios'' started around 540 BC. The construction ceased and then it was restarted in 330 BC. The temple is dipteral, with an outer row of 10 x 21 columns, and it measures 28.90 x 80.75 m at the stylobate.<ref>Peter Schneider: ''Neue Funde vom archaischen Apollontempel in Didyma''. In: Ernst-Ludwig Schwandner (ed.): ''Säule und Gebälk. Zu Struktur und Wandlungsprozeß griechisch-römischer Architektur''. Bauforschungskolloquium in Berlin vom 16.-18. Juni 1994. Diskussionen zur Archäologischen Bauforschung</ref>
*[[Clarus]] (near ancient [[Colophon (city)|Colophon]]): According to the legend, the famous seer Calchas, on his return from Troy, came to Clarus. He challenged the seer Mopsus, and died when he lost.<ref>Smith 1873, [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.04.0064:entry=clarus-geo s.v. Clarus].</ref> The [[Doric order|Doric]] temple of ''Apollo Clarius'' was probably built in the 3rd century BC., and it was peripteral with 6 x 11 columns. It was reconstructed at the end of the Hellenistic period, and later from the emperor [[Hadrian]] but Pausanias claims that it was still incomplete in the 2nd century BC.<ref>[https://archive.today/20140917093750/http://www.klaros.org/apollon-klarios-tapinagi-ve-sunaklari?lang=en Prophecy centre of Apollo Clarius]</ref>
*[[Hamaxitus]] ([[Troad]]): In the [[Iliad]], [[Chryses]] the priest of Apollo, addresses the god with the epithet Smintheus (Lord of Mice), related to the god's ancient role as bringer of the disease (plague). Recent excavations indicate that the Hellenistic temple of ''Apollo Smintheus'' was constructed in 150–125 BC, but the symbol of the mouse god was used on coinage probably from the 4th century .<ref>Bresson (2007) 154-5, citing the excavations reports of Özgünel (2001).</ref> The temple measures 40.00 x 23.00 m at the [[stylobate]], and the number of pteron columns was 8 x 14.<ref>Robertson p. 333</ref>
*Pythion ({{langx|grc|Πύθιον}}), this was the name of a shrine of Apollo at [[Athens]] near the [[Ilisos]] river. It was created by Peisistratos, and tripods were placed there by those who had won in the cyclic chorus at the [[Thargelia]].<ref>[https://www.cs.uky.edu/~raphael/sol/sol-entries/pi/3130 Suda, pi.3130]</ref>
*[[Setae (Lydia)]]: The temple of ''Apollo Aksyros'' located in the city.<ref>[https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/1800-year-old-stele-on-way-back-from-italy-after-23-years-158317 1800-year-old stele on way back from Italy after 23 years]</ref>
*[[Apollonia Pontica]]: There were two temples of Apollo Healer in the city. One from the Late Archaic period and the other from the Early Classical period.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://archaeologyinbulgaria.com/2021/03/28/slab-with-marching-ancient-greek-warriors-discovered-at-apollo-temples-on-ancient-black-sea-island-in-bulgarias-sozopol/ |title=Slab with marching ancient Greek warriors discovered at Apollo temples on ancient black sea island in Bulgaria's Sozopol |access-date=1 April 2021 |archive-date=30 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210330212700/http://archaeologyinbulgaria.com/2021/03/28/slab-with-marching-ancient-greek-warriors-discovered-at-apollo-temples-on-ancient-black-sea-island-in-bulgarias-sozopol/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*[[Ikaros (Failaka Island)|Ikaros island in the Persian Gulf]] (modern [[Failaka Island]]): There was a temple of Apollo on the island.<ref>[[Strabo]], ''[[Geographica|Geography]]'', [http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0099.tlg001.perseus-grc1:16.3.2 16.3.2].</ref>
*Argos in [[Cyprus]]: there was a temple of Apollo Erithios (Ἐριθίου Ἀπόλλωνος ἱερῷ).<ref>[http://remacle.org/bloodwolf/erudits/photius/ptolemee.htm Photius, Bibliotheca excerpts, 190.51 ]</ref>
*The temple and oracle of Apollo at [[Eutresis (Boeotia)|Eutresis]].<ref name="Harpers Dictionary of Classical Antiquities">[https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0062%3Aalphabetic+letter%3DE%3Aentry+group%3D9%3Aentry%3Deutresis-harpers Harry Thurston Peck, Harpers Dictionary of Classical Antiquities (1898), Eutresis]</ref>
*An altar of Apollo Acritas was  at [[Lacedaemon]]. In addition, above a sanctuary surnamed Gasepton of Earth in Lacedaemon was set up the Maleatian Apollo.<ref>[https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.01.0160:book=3:chapter=12&highlight=acritas Pausanias, Description of Greece, 3.12]</ref>

===Etruscan and Roman temples===
*[[Veii]] ([[Etruria]]): The temple of Apollo was built in the late 6th century BC, indicating the spread of Apollo's culture (Aplu) in Etruria. There was a prostyle porch, which is called [[Tuscan order|Tuscan]], and a triple cella 18.50 m wide.<ref name="Robertson pp. 200-201">Robertson pp. 200–201</ref>
*[[Falerii Veteres]] ([[Etruria]]): A temple of Apollo was built probably in the 4th–3rd century BC. Parts of a terracotta capital, and a terracotta base have been found. It seems that the Etruscan columns were derived from the archaic Doric.<ref name="Robertson pp. 200-201"/> A cult of [[Soranus (mythology)|Apollo Soranus]] is attested by one inscription found near Falerii.<ref>[https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.04.0006:entry=falerii-veteres Perseus tufts: Falerii Veteres]</ref>
[[File:Pompeii Regio 07 Insula 07 Temple of Apollo plan 01.jpg|thumb|left|Plan of the [[Temple of Apollo (Pompeii)]]]]
*[[Pompeii]] (Italy): The cult of Apollo was widespread in the region of Campania since the 6th century BC. The temple was built in 120 BC, but its beginnings lie in the 6th century BC. It was reconstructed after an earthquake in AD 63. It demonstrates a mixing of styles which formed the basis of Roman architecture. The columns in front of the cella formed a [[Tuscan order|Tuscan]] prostyle porch, and the cella is situated unusually far back. The peripteral colonnade of 48 [[Ionic order|Ionic]] columns was placed in such a way that the emphasis was given to the front side.<ref>Davidson CSA :[http://sites.davidson.edu/csa/the-temple-of-apollo-at-pompeii-a-mishmash-of-architecture/ Temple of Apollo, Pompeii] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150106221543/http://sites.davidson.edu/csa/the-temple-of-apollo-at-pompeii-a-mishmash-of-architecture/ |date=6 January 2015 }}</ref>
[[File:Roma-tempio di apollo.jpg|thumb|upright|Temple of Apollo Sosianus, Rome]]
* Rome: The [[temple of Apollo Sosianus]] and the ''temple of Apollo Medicus''. The first temple building dates to 431 BC, and was dedicated to Apollo Medicus (the doctor), after a plague of 433 BC.<ref>[http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/livy/liv.4.shtml#25 Livy 4.25]</ref> It was rebuilt by [[Gaius Sosius]], probably in 34 BC. Only three columns with [[Corinthian order|Corinthian]] capitals exist today. It seems that the cult of Apollo had existed in this area since at least to the mid-5th century BC.<ref>[http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/livy/liv.34.shtml#43 Livy 34.43]</ref>
*Rome: The [[temple of Apollo Palatinus]] was located on the Palatine hill within the sacred boundary of the city. It was dedicated by [[Augustus]] in 28 BC. The façade of the original temple was [[Ionic order|Ionic]] and it was constructed from solid blocks of marble. Many famous statues by Greek masters were on display in and around the temple, including a marble statue of the god at the entrance and a statue of Apollo in the cella.<ref>[https://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Gazetteer/Places/Europe/Italy/Lazio/Roma/Rome/_Texts/PLATOP*/Aedes_Apollinis_Palatini.html A topographical dictionary of Ancient Rome]</ref>
*[[Melite (ancient city)|Melite]] (modern [[Mdina]], Malta): A [[Temple of Apollo (Melite)|Temple of Apollo]] was built in the city in the 2nd century AD. Its remains were discovered in the 18th century, and many of its architectural fragments were dispersed among private collections or reworked into new sculptures. Parts of the temple's podium were rediscovered in 2002.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Testa|first1=Michael|title=New find at Mdina most important so far in old capital|url=http://www.maltamigration.com/news/times93020.shtml|work=[[Times of Malta]]|date=19 March 2002|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413115810/http://www.maltamigration.com/news/times93020.shtml |archive-date=13 April 2016}}</ref>