TITLES & EPITHETS OF APOLLO
Over thousands of years, the deity known as Apollo has gained many different names he’s been called by, possibly due to the fact that not only was he one of the most important and complex/diverse of the Olympians, but also one of the individuals with the most domains attributed to him.
In Greco-Roman mythology, Apollo appears sometime after the Bronze Age; there is no surviving information of him prior to that; it’s sometimes believed that Artemis was originally depicted as a single goddess separate from him and he was later made her brother. Some claim there’s evidence to suggest that she evolved from/is identified with Britomartis who, to the Minoans, was the “Mistress of Animals” and in her earliest depictions was accompanied by the “Master of Animals”, a male god who had a hunting bow as his attribute, who may or may not have been a companion or her lover (very early versions of Artemis did not refer to her as a virgin; she was said to have had lovers and possibly even children). Apollo is the only major Greek god whose primary name remained the same when the Romans re-imagined them in their image after the rise of the Roman Empire.
Although Apollo’s origins are not certain, it is known that he was not worshiped at Delphi before the 8th century. It is believed that he came either from somewhere north of Greece or from Asia. One of his most common epithets is Lykeios, and Homer’s lliad connects him with Lycia. In that epic he is an enemy of the Greeks, but other than his support for Troy there and a few other notable instances, Apollo was usually characterized as being impartial in politics. All the Greeks appeared to worship and respect him. There are also many oracles of Apollo in Asia Minor. But his Asian origin remains unproved. How and why he became a prophetic god in Greece is not known, but he is so from the earliest records.
In Roman religion. Apollo was introduced early into Italy, partly through Etruria and partly through the Greek settlements in Magna Graecia, but he was never properly identified with a Roman god. He was first introduced as a god of healing, but soon became prominent as a god of oracles and prophecy. In Virgil he figures in both these characters, but especially as the giver of oracles; the Cumaean Sibyl was his priestess; Sibyl, at the time, being a name simply meaning ‘prophetess’ and used as a generic term for oracles. In Virgil’s Eclogues, Apollo appears also as the patron of poetry and music. The oldest temple to him in Rome was erected in 432 BC. His cult was further developed by the emperor Augustus, who took him as his special patron and erected to him a great temple on the Palatinc.
Apollo is in most sources recognized as the Greek god of archery (of which he and Artemis are both credited as inventing in some myths), light, hunting, music, poetry, dancing, prophecies and oracles, truth, order, medicine/healing and plagues/diseases, purification, civilization, knowledge and learning, as well as education (particularly in the arts) and science. Apollo was also known for his capacity to help guide children through growth and became known as the protector of the young who presided over the education, health and protection of children/youths, most often with prepubescent/adolescent boys, while his sister fulfilled the same role for young girls.
First and foremost, Apollo was seen as an Oracular god who ruled over prophecy and knowledge of the future, and as the god of light. After he was already established as an Olympic deity, Apollo’s domain was either merged with or he outright replaced the Titan of the Sun, Helios, which is where his title as the “sun god” began and possibly when the epithet Helius was given to him (around 3rd or 5th century BC, depending on the source). Around this time he started being depicted as driving the “solar chariot”, which was Helios’ main attribute. He is seen also as the god of warding off negativity and misfortune; various epithets refer to him as an “averter of evil,” and this is possibly due to his role in the protection of crops, as well as the god of plagues and diseases, he is sometimes referred to as Apollo Parnopius or the Parnopion (”God of Locusts”) for driving locusts away; or causing them as locusts are often associated with disease and calamity. Delphic Apollo was known as the patron of seafarers, foreigners, and the protector of fugitives and refugees (my speculation is this is related to his mother seeking ‘refuge’ on Delos from Hera’s wrath while pregnant when nowhere else would accept her), and numerous epithets elude to the many roles he played in Ancient Greek pantheism.
An important pastoral deity, Apollo was also the patron of herdsmen (shepherds, goatherds, cowherds) and is depicted as a minor god of agricultural protection over these herds, flocks and crops, which numerous stories refer to, and field plowing (see the times he was made mortal and tended to fields and crops on behalf of King Admentus, or the story of a baby Hermes stealing his sacred cattle). Protection of herds, flocks and crops from diseases, pests and predators were some of his primary duties, as well as encouraging the founding of new towns and establishment of civil constitution. He is associated with dominion over colonists. He was the giver of laws, and his oracles were consulted before setting laws in a city. As the god of Mousike (art of Muses), Apollo presides over all music, songs, dance and poetry. He is the inventor of string-music, and the frequent companion of the Muses, functioning as their chorus leader in celebrations. The lyre is a common attribute of Apollo.
As stated above Apollo was not originally viewed as a Sun God, nor was his sister the Moon Goddess, those roles belonged to the Titans Helios and Selene respectively, but eventually they began being viewed as synonymous and their origins conflated, to the point the Titans were phased out and replaced with the twin archers, sometimes seen as their godly counterparts or successors after the overthrowing of the Titans, when in reality Helios and Selene were some of the few deities who did not side with Cronus in the Titanomachy. It should be noted that for many deities, they hold minor or secondary roles in other fields than their primary; Poseidon is the ‘god’ of the sea, Oceanus was the ‘titan’ of the sea yet Apollo and many other gods are still seen as protectors of sea voyagers, and while Hera is the goddess of marriage, family, fertility, etc. her mother Rhea was the titan of female fertility and motherhood, and Hymenaeus (sometimes depicted as a son of Apollo, or in one bizarre circumstance as his lover) was a god of marriage ceremonies, inspiring feasts and song. Just like multiple Ancient Greek and Roman cities had more than one patron/protector god, so can one field of worship have more than one deity that represents it.
Apollo in some cases was not just seen as the Greek god of male youth, but of male beauty as well; he was stated to be the most characteristically ‘Greek’ of all the gods ironically enough given his unclear origins, and was often used as the perfect embodiment of a Kouros - a beautiful but athletic youth depicted as long-haired and beardless (Ancient Greek boys would grow their hair long until reaching adulthood; thus Apollo’s depiction as both beardless and long-haired pictures him as a youthful god, perhaps just on the cusp of adulthood). As a Kouros, Apollo embodied youthful but mature male beauty and moral excellence, which combined with his association to the beneficial aspects of civilization (healing, music, education, city-building, flock tending, sun/sunlight and prophecy, archery (but not war or hunting) and youth) may have been one of the biggest factors in how much the Greeks cherished him and how many monuments, epithets, and areas of duty were assigned to him.
~ Greco-Roman & Celtic Epithets ~
Aegletes: “Light of the Sun”, or “the Radiant God”
Phoebus: Apollo’s chief epithet was Phoebus (literally “Bright” or “Shining”). It was very commonly used by both the Greeks and Romans for Apollo’s role as the god of light. This also connects him with his maternal grandmother, the Titan Phoebe, the female variant of the name which is also applied to his twin sister Artemis.
Helius: Literally “Sun” - possibly becoming attributed to him when he took on the role previously fulfilled by Helios.
Lukêgenês: “Born of Light”
Lyceus: “Light” - The meaning of the epithet “Lyceus” later became associated with Apollo’s mother Leto, who was the patron goddess of Lycia and who was identified with the wolf.
Phanaeus: “Giving or bringing light”
Lycegenes: Literally “Born Of a wolf” or “Born of Lycia”
Lyceius: Similar to or synonymous with ‘Lyceus’; a surname of Apollo with an uncertain meaning. Possibly from the word ‘Lukos’, which would give it the meaning “The Wolf-Slayer”, others from “Luke”, which would give it the meaning “The Giver of Light.” Or it could mean someone from the country of Lycia. Surviving passages indicate it could be any of the three.
Lycoctonus: “Wolf” and “To Kill”
Cynthius/Kynthius: Literally “Cynthian/Kynthian”; Apollo’s birthplace was atop Mount Cynthos (or Mount Kynthus) on the floating island of Delos; his sister has a similar name attributed to her.
Cynthogenes: “Born of Cynthus”
Delius: “Delian/of Delos”, someone born on Delos; the name Delia is applied similarly to his sister.
Didymaeus: “Twin”, a name attributed to he and Artemis together.
Epaktios: “God of the Coast”
Epibatêrios: “Leader of Sailors”
Sauroktonos: “Lizard Slayer”, likely a reference to his killing of the monster Python.
Tityoktónos: “Slayer of the Giant Tityos”. Tityos was a giant in Greek mythology and the son of Elara and Zeus. Still scorned by the affair of her husband with Leto, she sent the giant to rape Leto and he was subsequently slain by the protective Apollo and Artemis. As punishment after death, he was laid out in Tartarus where two vultures would torture him by feeding on his liver, which grew back every night. This is similar to the punishment of Prometheus.
Acraephius: Literally “Acraephian”, from the Boeotian town of Acraephia, reputedly founded by his son Acraepheus.
Actiacus: “Actian”, after Actium, one of his primary places of worship, a town in Ancient Acarnania.
Delphinius: “Delphic”, after Delphi, the location of the Oracle of Delphi, but also relating to dolphins. One Minoan origin story describes Apollo transforming into a dolphin and intercepting a pirate ship of Cretans, turning back into himself, and convincing the pirates to become his priests, and carrying them back to Delphi with him (possibly in dolphin form).
Epactaeus: “God worshiped on the coast” in Samos.
Erythibios: “Of the Mildew”. An epithet bestowed on a temple dedicated to him by the Rhodians.
Hebdomagetês: “The 7th of Every Month”
Hecatombæus: “Sacrifice of 100″
Hyacinthia: “Hyacinth”. A festival celebrated at Amyclae by the Spartans in honor of Apollo Actius, and in honor of the death of his young lover Prince Hyacinthus/Hyakinthos, who in some variants of the story was a Spartan Prince.
Leucadius/Leucadios/Leucates/Leukates: “From the Leucas”. A surname of Apollo deriving from Leucas (now known as Lefkada). From λευκός (leukos) meaning “White” as well as “Bright, Clear, Brilliant”. Also the name of Leukadios, the son of Icarius and Polycaste, who according to myth, was also said to be the eponym of the island.
Pythius: From the region around Delphi, related to Python who was slain by Apollo. For this reason, his priests are often known as the Pythian priests.
Smintheus: “Sminthian”, or “Of the town of Sminthos,” near the Troad town of Hamaxitus.
Spodios: “Sacred Altar Ash”
Thymbraios: “Of Thymbra.” A surname of Apollo, likely a localization, from Thymbra, which was a city near Troy that worshiped the god Apollo Thymbraios. It was in this altar that Troilus (son of Apollo or King Priam, depending on the myth) fled for sanctuary, possibly, and was beheaded on the altar omphalos by Achilles, incurring the wrath of Apollo.
Pastoral Duties/Agriculture
Arótrios: “Blesser of Farmers/Shepherds”
Meliae: “Of the Ash Tree,” Meliads were ash tree Nymphs, and the ones who nursed a young Zeus when Rhea saved him from being devoured by Cronus. This name is significant due to a grove that was sacred to Apollo in Colophon in Ionia. He also had a Nymph consort by the name of Melia, by whom he fathered the prophet and hero Tenerus.
Noumios: “Leader of Shepherds” or “Of the Pastures”
Nymphegetes: “Nymph” and “Leader”, for his role as a protector of shepherds and pastoral life, as Nymphs were regarded as minor female deities and personifications of nature.
Spærmeios: “Presiding Over Seed”
Kouros: Apollo was sometimes referred to as the ideal image of a Kouros (a beautiful and athletic, beardless male youth). This name brings to mind the name of the female equivalent, “Kore”, which means young unmarried girl (maiden/virgin), and was also a name of Persephone. Kouros/Kore is also the name of a type of freestanding statue in Ancient Greek art of a young unwed male/female. In this, Apollo and Persephone can possibly be considered counterparts as archetypal Greek images of eternal youths.
Kourotróphos: “Nurturer of Children”. A name that was given in Ancient Greece to gods and goddesses whose properties included their ability to protect young people. Numerous gods are referred to by this epithet, including, but not limited to, Athena, Apollo, Hermes, Hecate, Aphrodite, Artemis, and Eileithyia.
Vulturius: “Of Vultures”. A surname and epithet given to Apollo after he saved a shepherd boy from death in a large, deep cave, by the means of vultures. To thank him, the boy built Apollo a temple under the name Vulturius.
Acesius: “Healing”. Acesius was the epithet of Apollo worshipped in Elis, where he had a temple in the agora.
Akesios: “Of Healing”
Culicarius: “Of Midges” or “Averter of Flies/Gnats”
Loimios: “Savior from Plague”
Medicus: “Physician” in Latin. A temple was dedicated to Apollo Medicus in Rome, probably next to the temple of Bellona.
Oulios: “Of Sound Health”
Paean: “Physician, Healer”
Parnopius: “Expeller of Locusts.” Locusts were a sign of plague and disease; this was a surname of Apollo under which he had a statue on the acropolis of Athens.
Sosianus: “Healer of Madness”
Viodóhtis: “Giver of Life”
Agônios: “Helper in Contests”
Agyieus: “Protector of the Streets”. A surname of Apollo, describing his role in protecting roads, streets, public places and homes.
Aktios: “Of the Foreshore”, possibly relating to Apollo’s status as patron and protector of sailors/seafarers (a duty he shared minimally with the chief sea god, Poseidon).
Alaios: “Wanderer”, perhaps a reference to his role as the founder of cities, or the patron of fugitives. Also the name of one of his temples, founded by the hero Philoctetes.
Alexicacus: Literally “Averter of Calamity”. A surname given by the Greeks to several deities; to Apollo, who was worshiped under this name by the Athenians, because he was believed to have stopped the plague which raged at Athens in the time of the Peloponnesian War.
Archegetes: “Founder”. A surname of Apollo, under which he was worshiped at several places, such as Naxos in Sicily, and at Megara. The name either references Apollo as the leader and protector of colonies, or as the founder of towns in general.
Clarius: “Allotted lot”. A surname of Apollo, derived from his celebrated temple at Clarios in Asia Minor, which had been founded by Manto, the daughter of Teiresias, who, after the conquest of her native city of Thebes, was made over to the Delphic god, and was then sent into the country, where subsequently Colophon was built by the Ionians.
Embasius “Blesser of Those Embarking”
Genetor: Literally “Ancestor”
Horios “Of Boundaries/Borders”
Kataibatês: “Glad Return”
Phuzios: “Protector of Fugitives”
Prostatêrios: “Protector Of Houses”
Theoxenios: “God of Strangers”/”Foreign God”, as the patron of strangers, foreigners and refugees.
Thyræus: “Of the Gate/Entrance”
Zosterius: “Savior”/”Encircling the World”
Akersekomês: “Beautiful Hair”/”Uncut Hair”
Chrysokomes: “Golden Haired”
Daphnephorios: “Bearing Laurel”
Kýdimos Kouros: “Famous Youth”
Coelispex: From the Latin coelum, meaning “Sky”, and specere, “To Look At”.
Iatromantis: From the Greek words for “Physician” and “Prophet”, referring to his role as a god of both healing and prophecy.
Khrismohdós: “Chanting Prophecies”
Klêdônes: “Omen in Words and Sounds”
Leschenorius: “Converser”
Loxias: From λέγειν, “To say”, historically associated with λοξός, “Ambiguous”, or “Vague Prophecy”.
Moiragetês: “Leader of the Fates”
Manticus: Literally “Prophetic”
Panderkes Omma: “All Seeing Eye”
Thearios: “Of the Oracle”
Khrysolýris: “Of the Golden Lyre”
Kitharohdós: “Player of the Kithára”
Kýrios Orkhísæohs: “Lord of Dance”
Musagetes/Musegetes: “Leader”
Mousarkhos: “Leader of the Muses.” The same as above; Apollo was considered the leader of the Muses’ choir.
Tælǽstohr: “Sacred Teacher”
Aphetor/Aphetorus: “To Let Loose”
Arcitenens: Literally “Bow-Carrying”
Argyrotoxus: “Bearer of the Silver Bow”
Efpharǽtris : “Possessing a Beautiful Quiver”
Efrypharetres: “With Wide Quiver”
Hecaërgus: “Far-shooting”
Hecebolus: “He Who Attains His Aim”
Hekatos: “Shooter From Afar”/”Distant Deadly Archer”
Ismenius: Literally “Of Ismenus”; after Ismenus, the son of Amphion and Niobe, whom he struck down with an arrow after Niobe’s insult of his mother, Leto.
Khrysótoxos: “With Bow of Gold”
Toxovǽlæmnos: “Of Bow and Arrows”
Aglaotimus: “Splendidly Honored”
Amazonius: Pausanias at the Description of Greece wrote that near Pyrrhichus there was a sanctuary of Apollo, called Amazonius, with image of the god said to have been dedicated by the Amazons.
Anaphaios: “He Made Appear.” A surname of Apollo, after the island in the Cretan sea, Anáphi, which he was said to have made appear, from the light of an arrow, to the Agronauts as shelter from a storm.
Asphetorus: “To Let Loose”
Chrusaôr: “He Who Wields the Golden Sword”
Dekatêphoros “Bringer of Tithes”
Enthryptos: “Of the Enthyrptos Cake”
Intonsus: “Uncut/Unshaved”
Isodetês: “He Who Equally Binds”
Kharopiós: “Bringer of Joy”
Korynthos: “Of the (Sacred) Corynthos Cake”
Kourídios: “Suitable Partner”
Kozmoplókos: “Holder of the World”
Mælioukhos Turannæ: “Ruling With Sweetness”
Myricaeus: “Bearing Broom”
Olviodotis: “Bestower of Bliss”
Pangkratis: “All Powerful”
Pantothalis: “Making Everything Bloom”
Prophítis: “Speaker for a God”
Psykhodotír: “Giver of the Soul”
Saligena: “Rising From the Sea”
Celtic Epithets/Cult Titles
Apollo Atepomarus: “The Great Horseman” or “Possessing a Great Horse”. Apollo was worshiped at Mauvières. Horses were, in the Celtic world, closely linked to the sun.
Apollo Belenus: “Bright” or “Brilliant”. This epithet was given to Apollo in parts of Gaul, Northern Italy, and Nocrium (a part of what is now Austria). Apollo Belenus was a healing and sun god.
Apollo Cunomaglus: “Hound Lord”. The title given to Apollo at a shrine in Nettleton Shrub, Wiltshire. May have been a god of healing. Cunomaglus himself may originally have been an independent healing god.
Apollo Grannus: Grannus was a healing spring god, later equated with Apollo.
Apollo Maponus: A god known from inscriptions in Britain. This may be a local fusion of Apollo and Maponus.
Apollo Moritasgus: “Masses of the Sea Water”. An epithet for Apollo at Alesia, where he was worshiped as god of healing and, possibly, of physicians.
Apollo Vindonnus: “Clear Light”. From a temple at Essarois, near Châtillon-sur-Seine in present-day Burgundy. He was a god of healing, especially of the eyes.
Apollo Virotutis: Possibly “Benefactor of Mankind”. He was worshiped, among other places, at Fins d’Annecy (Haute-Savoie) and at Jublains (Maine-et-Loire).
