There is so much to Apollon I never see discussed. Usually, I’m having to fight Helios erasure and explain syncretism when it comes to Apollonian circles. Apollon fills many other rules than merely music or healing. Like Herakles, Hekate, Zeus, etc, Apollon is an apotropaic god.
Apotropaic roles are common within Ancient Greek religion. For example, you could pray to Keto to keep the monsters of the sea away. Even “negative” gods and spirits can take on Apotropaic functions.
Apollon has multiple Apotropaic epithets and roles. By his very nature, Apollon is an averter. His ‘darker’ aspects such as Smintheus could also take on an Apotropaic function. To owe to this, his silver bow was weapon of destruction and protection. It is by his bow that he averts plague and pestilence, but also by this very same bow he destroyed the Achaeans at Troy, defended his mother Leto, etc. Due to his apotropaic and deadly nature, Apollon is the one who both cleanses and brings forth evil to the city.
There are likely more than what I have found and listed, so I encourage you to study his apotropaic functions on your own. His apotropaic side is usually connected to averting plague and pestilence, as he is the lord of plague so keep that in mind.
Apollon Apotropaios literally means “Apotropaic Apollon” or “Apollon Apotropaic.” Under this epithet, Apollon was classified as one of the gods who’s images were placed at city gates. As a plague god, Apollon’s image could be made to be drawing back an arrow and shooting away from the city. By gaining favour through gifts and sacrifices, Apollon would shoot the plague away from the city. In Rhodes, Apollon Apotropaios was worshipped alongside Hekate Propylaia and Hermes Propylaios.
As an epithet, Alexikakos is used for multiple deities. Herakles, Zeus, Apollon, etc. all bare this epithet. Alexikakos means ‘averter of evil’, therefore marking any deity baring this epithet as having the power to advert evil. He was believed to have stopped the plague at Athens and therefore was honoured as Alexikakos there.
Averting war and disease both fell under Apollon’s power. The Ancient Greeks and Romans did not differentiate the two. Therefore, Apollon can keep both away. Especially as Alexikakos.
This epithet has the same meaning as alexikakos, ‘averter of evil’. It designates him as an averter of evil and a healer. Therefore he can avert illness and bring forth good health.
Like the three-formed images of Hekate that guarded the streets, Apollon Agyieus stood at the door. Agyieus means “of the streets”, therefore marking him as the protector of the streets and public places. Apollon Agyieus was represented by a pointed column.
Yet another plague averting epithet, Loimios means ‘the deliverer from plague’. This aspect was worshipped in Rhodes.
The epithet Smintheus is a complex and unusual epithet. Within the Iliad, Apollon’s priest calls upon Apollon as Smintheus and plague ensues, revenging the warriors, horses, etc. In the Hellenistic Era the epithet was identified with mice. Myths explaining the epithet describe Apollon being a destroyer and bringer of mice; bringer and averter of pestilence.
Due to his plague bringing ways, one may worship Apollon Smintheus to keep away the plague. Instead of invoking one of his aspects to avert, this would be invoking him to keep it away and hold back his plagues. Personally, I would invoke Apollon Smintheus to hold back the plague instead of just averting it. But that’s also because that’s an aspect of him I am very familiar with.
The apotropaic power of Apollon can be invoked to avert sickness, illness, and other forces. Applying this in praxis can be simply praying to that aspect of him and worshipping him under these epithets. This could also extend to creating a spot for Apollon Agyieus to invoke his protection.
As Alexikakos, Apollon could also rid you of nasty spirits haunting you so feel free to invoke him for spiritual protection, especially Apotropaic magic. He could also avoid conflicts to come in your life; allowing you to have an easier time. Herakles Alexikakos can also repel bad spirits, as this was his aspect were he repels bad spirits.
Tldr; Apollon has multiple Apotropaic aspects: Apotropaios, Alexikakos, Akestor, Agyieus, Loimios. His epithet ‘Smintheus’ can also take on an Apotropaic meaning if invoked in that way. Apotropaic Apollon can avert evils, especially plague.
Larson, J. (2016). Understanding Greek Religion. Taylor & Francis.
Graf, F. (2008). Apollo (1st ed.). Routledge.
Johnston, S. I. (2013). Restless Dead: Encounters between the Living and the Dead in Ancient Greece (First ed.). University of California Press.
H., & Green, P. (2019). The Iliad: A New Translation by Peter Green (First ed.). University of California Press.
APOLLO – Greek God of Music, Prophecy & Healing. (2017). Theoi Greek Mythology. https://www.theoi.com/Olympios/Apollon.html
Ogden, D. (2009). Magic, Witchcraft and Ghosts in the Greek and Roman Worlds: A Sourcebook (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press.
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