The God Apollo: Threat and Help for the Greeks - Term Paper Example

The god Apollo had several powers that both aid and harm men from the ancient world. Consequently, this important deity was both loved and feared by the citizens of the Greek society. Concerning Apollo’s importance to the Greeks, there were numerous and various. The role of Apollo to the life of the Greeks greatly depended on the god’s specific power or attribute. This deity has many and varied abilities and capabilities. It is arguably presumed that Apollo is the “most Greek of the gods” (Burkert 143).

Of all the gods known to the ancient Greeks, Apollo stands tall and high. The Greek citizens perhaps perceived the importance of Apollo with respect to his particular attribute: youth. As seen in many art objects portraying the Apollo image, this god is commonly depicted as a young man possessing a beautiful body and figure. It is noteworthy that the Greeks considerably value all things or ideas that are ideal and pure. The Greek philosopher Plato, for instance, had theorized about and thoroughly promoted truth or reality in its ideal form.

Further, mathematics -- the most ideal facet of human knowledge -- was highly esteemed by the Greek intellectuals such as Euclid and Pythagoras. Thence, what was ideal appeared to fascinate the olden Greeks. Burkert states that Apollo, as an embodiment of youth and vigor, was the culture of the Greeks. Here, Apollo is idealized; in particular, the concept of youth attributed to this god is “raised to its ideal” state (Burkert 143). . As the deity of healing, the ancient people constantly approached Apollo especially during times of serious epidemic (Littleton 133).

In fact, few temples were built for Apollo Medicus as a dedication to the god of healing. Apollo was also prominent among the ancient people as the god of prophecy and divination. In fact, this deity had shared the “workings of fate” with the great god Zeus. Budin argues that the knowledge of prophecy was chiefly the domain of Zeus (268). Nevertheless, the supreme god of the Greek and Roman worlds had permitted his son Apollo to share the knowledge of the workings of fate. Budin contends that Apollo became the deity of divination by virtue of his birth right: Zeus’s first son.

In general, Apollo helps the Greeks and the Romans through prophesy and healing. Apollo had largely contributed in the spheres of culture and entertainment. Other equally important functions of this deity were poetry and music. It is interesting to note that the laurel leaves, in the contemporary epoch, are representations of the poet and his or her poetry. The laurel tree, for the record, is Apollo’s favorite. The legend of the laurel tree originates from the tragic story of Daphne whom Apollo loves dearly.

In addition, Stechow says that laurel leaves, in the ancient world, were placed underneath one’s pillow before he or she falls asleep in order to know the truth about one’s dream (70). Dreams and prophecies are, again, attributed to Apollo. On the other hand, Apollo’s being the god of music is associated to his relationship with the Muses (Budin 268). Burkert observes that the Muses always surround Apollo (173). The Muses are lovers of poetry, music, and other cultural elements. Further, this god is famous for his