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the-ghost-king · 4 years ago

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wait Apollo isn’t originally greek? thats so interesting 👀👀

Where ever did you hear that? /ij

Definitely putting all of this under a read more, it’s a long one!

Cw: Greek statues, they're naked :/

But yeah, Apollo was actually an inherited god, it’s likely that because of this as well he was a blending of multiple different gods to some extent. It’s also good to note that Apollo’s name is unknown, meaning that nobody really knows what exactly Apollo means, which is pretty weird all things considered about the Greeks who placed such importance on the god’s forenames (ie, phoebeus, acestor, age’tor, etc).

"Though Apollo was the most Hellenic of all gods, he derived mostly from a type of god that originated in Anatolia and spread to Egypt by way of Syria and Palestine." (X)

There’s a couple of different things which point to Apollo being a Anatolian god (or being of, coming from him) named Appaliunas, and it is said they were on opposite sides of a war most beloved of their people during the fight. It’s important to note that it’s believed Appaliunas means “father light” and that he shows some level of importance over drafting peace treaties (which Apollo has some reputation in as the bringer of civilized order). We don't know too much about their connections however, because the documents are incomplete.

This theory also makes sense, because the name Leto (Apollo’s mother) is Lydian in origin, and there’s decent connections to her having been worshiped on the coast's of Asia Minor. And it is known the Greeks have adopted Anatolian gods into their religion before, see Cybele (sometimes called Cybele-Rhea), and the origin of Kore (later Persephone). There's stuff which points also to an Anatolian goddess called "Artimu" (Artemis) who is often confused to Cybele for some reason, and again this bears connections to the Lydians which worshipped Leto. There's information which points to Hekate being a goddess from Anatolia as well, which shows significance considering she is Apollo and Artemis's cousin (leading to my personal question of was Phoebe Anatolian in origin?). Apollo's divine number being 7 shows Babylonian or at least Mesopotamian Origin.

The Geographical location of these two places also bears similarities, they are close to one another, and it's known the Greeks had decent travel capabilities over water. There's also the fact that both of these lands border Troy, which is shown to have significant values in Greek culture and mythology, as well as the Greek belief that the Anatolian gods were present at Troy as well as the Greek gods.

(It's also notable the similarities in naming traditions, Alaksandu for one such example, does not sound too far off from the later Latin name Alexander, which came from the Greek name Aléxandros).

The other possible origin given for Apollo is Aplu (Apulu), a Hurrian god (of people who lived in Anatolia, Syria, and Northern Mesopotamia). Aplu and Apollo bear semblance to one another in more than name, Aplu was the god of plague (bringer of the plague more specifically) and he bears a large amount of resemblance to Apollo Parno'pius/Smitheus and Aplu's main story provides reasoning as to why Apollo may also be the god of healing and Medicine.

The story of Aplu involves the idea that the individual which brings the plague, must also be the one to banish it. This makes Aplu both bringer of plague(s) but also, protector from plague(s). From this we learn Aplu's name means "son of" (please note here Apollo's iconographic connections to "youth" and "sonship" among the Greeks, as the god of kouros), but the connection of "the son of" was a title granted also to the god Nergal (worshiped by many different people(s) across Mesopotamia) who is at least in part someone who holds power over the sun, and holds connection to Shamash (Utu).

Aplu is also often depicted naked (ya know) but wearing a laurel leaf, and part of a cloak... It's funny how these images are Apollo though:

Aplu is also symbolized by a staff and laurel a twig(s), while we know Apollo to be associated closely with the laurel because of Daphne, and Apollo having iconography related to staffs involves him giving his away to Hermes- which perhaps has to do with the caduceus being interpreted as the symbol for medicine, or the connection of Apollo to Asclepius and the rod of Asclepius.

Aplu isn't isolated necessarily either, there is also the Etruscan goddess Aritimi (Artume, Artames, or Artumes) and she oversees animals, human assemblies, and is considered a hunting deity. As well as scrolling through this list, you'll note more than one Greek/Roman mythological figure.

There's also a ton of stuff from Etruscan mythology (Hurrian mythology is just a subsect of Etruscan mythology) which overlaps with Greek mythology, some sources even state Etruscan -> Greek -> Roman mythology (I wont comment on that because I don't know well enough).

There's some other places Apollo's name might have come from, but those are probably the two most likely under the assumption that Apollo is a collective of many gods.

These are the specifics of the Anatolian god's Apollo may be born of/from, but there's a variety of things which point to him and mythology around him being of other origins as well (Minoan, Dorian, and Proto-Indo-European... yeah)

You may have heard one of Apollo's sacred animals is dolphins, Apollo Delphinios/Delphidios, this is because of a Minoan god named Paiawon (Paion) who was worshiped on Crete and also originated in Delphi. In the second part of Homeric hymn to Apollo, Apollo would transform his shape into that of a dolphin and carry the new priests to Delphi for the transfer of religious practices:

"Phoebus Apollo pondered in his heart what men he should bring in to be his ministers in sacrifice and to serve him in rocky Pytho. And while he considered this, he became aware of a swift ship upon the wine-like sea in which were many men and goodly, Cretans... Phoebus Apollo met them: in the open sea he sprang upon their swift ship, like a dolphin in shape, and lay there, a great and awesome monster, and none of them gave heed so as to understand but they sought to cast the dolphin overboard. But he kept shaking the black ship every way and making the timbers quiver. So they sat silent in their craft for fear, and... so they kept sailing on; for a rushing south wind hurried on the swift ship from behind... They wished to put their ship to shore, and land and comprehend the great marvel and see with their eyes whether the [dolphin] would remain upon the deck of the hollow ship, or spring back into the briny deep where fishes shoal. But the well-built ship would not obey the helm, but went on its way all along Peloponnesus and the lord, far-working Apollo, guided it easily with the breath of the breeze..." (X)

Apollo Delphinios was largely only worshiped by people of Crete and surrounding islands, but this is also largely where Paiawon was worshiped as well. There's also many things from early Grecian history which simply state Apollo to be Paiawon or of Paiawon, or at least doesn't bother to specify which god is being talked about.

In the earlier parts of Greek history, seventh-sixth century, there was distinctions made between the pair:

"and in Solon's opinion it is Apollo who makes a man a μάντις (soothsayer) but healers do the work of Paion" (X)

The whole thing with Apollo being descended from Paiawon however, is that Paiawon may not be Minoan but Mycenaean in origin, which means even if Apollo is originated in Minoan culture one of the gods who has influenced that origin wasn't even necessarily Minoan but taken in. Others believe Paiawon was Minoan or Aegean in origin but very far in the past, since his songs used a meter of pre-Greek origin.

You'll also not the commonalities between Paion (a spelling of Paiawon) and Paean (also spelled Paian), Apollo's original name according to Homer. It could mean a variety of things but "who heals illnesses through magic" and "pre-greek" are the most common translations of the word Paean, but it is also associated with music (most specifically a song sung by Thetlas who cured the Spartans) and is said to denote hymns for Apollo.

"PAEAN, that is, "the healing," is according to Homer the designation of the physician of the Olympian gods, who heals, for example, the wounded Ares and Hades. After the time of Homer and Hesiod, the word Paian becomes a surname of Asclepius, the god who had the power of healing. The name was, however, used also in the more general sense of deliverer from any evil or calamity, and was thus applied to Apollo and Thanatos, or Death, who are conceived as delivering men from the pains and sorrows of life... From Apollo himself the name Paean was transferred to the song dedicated to him, that is, to hymns chanted to Apollo for the purpose of averting an evil, and to warlike songs, which were sung before or during a battle." (X)

In regards to the possibility of Apollo having been of Minoan origin, one must consider not only his origins but the origins of the gods and goddesses around him and how they may have developed over time.

In this case Britomartis (Diktynna) is of particular interest, she was the Minoan "mistress of animals", she was a goddess (or sometimes nymph, or oread) of the mountains and the hunt. There's points to the name meaning "sweet maiden" or other similar things, but it is debatable.

Eventually Britomartis would become the goddess of nets in Hellenic myths, and would simply be closely identified with the goddess of Artemis. However, to the Minoans Britomartis wandered alongside a bow-wielding male hunter who's name has been lost, it is likely that aspects of this hunter were absorbed into Apollo; when the introduction of worshiping Artemis was brought to the island of Crete where Britomartis was also worshiped they were compared and quickly said to be of one another.

It is also said in some variations the myths of Britomartis that she was taken to the mainland in the nets of men after fleeing Minos, this seems like a euphemism for her as a goddess of worship being brought by fisherman to mainland and taken into their culture and worship, more so than it sounds like a goddess's story. Perhaps this led to her becoming Artemis, although most myths seem to agree Artemis gave Britomartis immortality... So who knows, but it's a point of particular interest for me.

Also I know I mentioned proto-indo-european origins for Apollo and I could analyze gods and goddesses relating to Apollo being a Minoan god like Aphaea, but I am not going to lie I am rather sick mostly of sourcing everything and I don't like to talk about stuff without stuff to back me up because I don't want to come across like I'm pulling information or ideas out of thin air because that's how misinformation spreads... But yeah, here's a somewhat simplified piece on Apollo's possible origins as a pre-Hellenistic god, and I hope you enjoy because I know you sent the ask a bit ago <3

#asks #glassamphibians #apollo #greek mythology #notpjo #apollo origins #historians please feel free to correct me

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thehistorywritersite-blog · 7 years ago

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An easy Guide to Greek Mythology

History Scania Rising Paiawon Apollo Atlantis solon Plato For Frost Often the Greeks believed within many Gods (and several generations associated with Gods) along with believed that were there both great powers in addition to human disadvantages. Probably the finest creatures in Greek Mythology are usually the twelve Olympian Gods who took their be derived from the place of their particular dwelling : Mount Olympus.

History Scania Rising Paiawon Apollo Atlantis solon Plato For Frost

Zeus The actual ruler regarding the Olympian Gods as well as God of the skies, thunder and justice. His or her weapon is a thunderbolt. Hitched to Hera.

Poseidon The particular God of the actual sea, earthquakes and horse. His system is any trident and he will be second in power for you to Zeus.

Hades God involving the underworld and riches. Lord in the dead.

Hestia Goddess on the hearth and also home. Typically the sister connected with Zeus.

Hera The Empress of women, matrimony along with childbirth. The reigning feminine Goddess of Olympia due to the fact she was committed to help Zeus.

Aris Often the Jesus of war. The actual child of Zeus in addition to Hera.

Athena The Empress associated with wisdom, reason, clever exercise, arts and books. Any daughter of Zeus.

Apollo The God with the sunshine, light, healing, remedies, audio, poetry, prophecy, bow hunting as well as truth. Son regarding Zeus and Leto and also dual brother of Artemis

Aphrodite The Goddess of affection, need, beauty and virility.

Hermes The fastest from the Gods and messenger for all the particular other Gods. God involving commerce, thieves, trade along with travellers. The son connected with Zeus and Maia.

Artemis Goddess of chastity, virginity, childbirth, the hunt, typically the forest, the moon plus the natural environment. The girl associated with Zeus and Leto along with the twin sister regarding Apollo.

Hephaestus The Our god of fireside and the get. The kid of Zeus and Hera and partner of Aphrodite.

Daedalus in addition to Icarus Daedalus was some sort of famous sculptor as well as creator who built a fantastic web called "The Labyrinth" beneath the Palace of Knossos in Crete in which usually Ruler Minos kept a new creature: half man one half fluff (the Minotaur) inside. The particular structure consisted involving such a difficult tangle that it was extremely hard to get from the jawhorse. Soon after the maze was full, King Minos did not really desire Daedalus to end up being able to tell is actually secret to anyone more, therefore he imprisoned the pup spectacular only son Icarus in the tall tower. Daedalus and also Icarus did certainly not like getting prisoners, thus started wanting to think connected with ways to escape. Immediately after observing the birds from your windows of the tower system, Deadalus decided to help to make wings away from bird down and feel for your pet and his youngster and so they may fly out and be free. While binding the wings in order to their son Daedalus aware his or her son not to be able to fly crowded to often the sea as the wet from the waves will moist the feathers producing them way too burdensome for you to fly using and not necessarily to fly way too high throughout the sky as the actual sun might melt the particular wax. Icarus was consequently fascinated with typically the air travel that he forgot concerning his father's warnings along with started to soar increased and higher. Since they climbed into the stones his wings started to help burn, when Icarus realized the thing that was happening he tried out to take flight lower once more but it seemed to be far too late the wings pennyless apart, he fell to the water and drowned.

Theseus and Ariadne King Minos (the King of Crete) had a powerful dark blue that all of A holiday in greece was reluctant. He arranged with Cal . king Aegues (of Athens) which he would definitely not attack Athens in the event the men and women of Athens consented to send out seven boys in addition to more effective girls as foods intended for the Minotaur every 12 months. With became time in order to send often the boys as well as girls to Crete, President Theseus (the son associated with King Aegeus) wanted to be able to help save the children and also all those who could be sent in the long term, so made a decision he would certainly go with them for you to destroy the minotaur. Full Aegeus begged his boy never to go as he / she was worried his child would be devoured by simply the minotaur too. Yet Theseus was insistent as well as set sail for Crete in a very boat with the black cruise trip, promising the father the boats help would be converted to any white one to mention if he had earned along with lived to are available home. Whenever they arrived with Crete they were achieved by King Minos impressive daughter Ariadne. Princess Ariadne immediately fell in adore with Knight in shining armor Theseus in addition to decided to aid the dog with his mission. In the evening she gave to Theseus a sword and some sort of basketball of thread as well as commanded him to tie up the actual ball of line for the door of the particular labyrinth the location where the minotaur existed and unfold it while he went through typically the maze so he can put it to use to find his / her was then back out again once this individual had killed often the minotaur with the sword. Royal prince Theseus did exactly seeing that recommended and after he or she found the actual minotaur a new big battle had been battled which Theseus acquired by means of slaying the minotaur and also was able to depart the particular labyrinth using typically the ball regarding thread to help guide him.

Pandora's Container According to greek mythology Pandora was the 1st female on earth along with was created from the The almighty Zeus in an behave of revenge against person. He instructed Hephaestus to make a beautiful woman who often the Gods endowed with each charm (together with attention and deceit) and directed her to earth as being a present for Epimetheus, who also fell in love having her and they engaged to be married. As a wedding surprise Zeus sent Pandora the beautiful container which they told her to never wide open and gave the main element to get the box to Epimetheus. Over time Pandora grew to be extremely curious about the actual contents in the box in addition to several times begged Epimetheus to let her open it up, but each time he / she mentioned 'No'. Finally one particular day while Epimetheus has been asleep Pandora bracelets stole the particular key and exposed typically the box. As she elevated the lid to consider any peek inside horrible issues flew out involving the box, just about every sort of disaster man possessed never know before: condition, hopelessness, malice, greed, skilled, assault, cruelty and warfare. Struggling to catch all these kinds of things just before they travelled away The planet pandora slammed lower the top and converted the key, trying to keep simply the spirit connected with expect inside which Zeus acquired included to help retain persons going when often the nasty stuff got these down.

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