| Apollo | Apollo (Roman) |
Apollo can change into his Roman aspect of Apollo (sometimes called Phoebus). In this form, he becomes more disciplined, militaristic, and warlike. Apollo may have children along with his descendants at Camp Jupiter near San Francisco. He is the child of Jupiter and Latona and the twin brother of Diana.
History
Apollo was son of Jupiter and Latona, and twin brother of Diana, and of all the divinities in the pagan world, the chief cherish-er and protector of the polite arts, and the most conspicuous character in heathen theology; nor unjustly, from the glorious attributes ascribed to him, for he was the god of light, medicine, eloquence, music, poetry, and prophecy.
Amongst the most remarkable adventures of this god, was his quarrel with Jupiter, on account of the death of his son Aesculapius, killed by that deity on the complaint of Pluto, that he decreased the number of the dead with his cures. Apollo, to revenge this injury, killed the Cyclops who forged the thunder-bolts that Jupiter had used to kill his son. For this he was banished from heaven, and endured great sufferings on earth, being forced to hire himself as a shepherd to Admetus, king of Thessaly. During his pastoral servitude, he is said to have invented the lyre to sooth his troubles. He was so skilled in the bow, that his arrows were always fatal; the Python and the Cyclops have already experienced their force.
His temple at Delphi became so frequented, that it was called the oracle of the earth; all nations and princes viewing it in their munificence to it. The Romans erected to him many temples.
The Heroes of Olympus
The Son of Neptune
While not seen in the book, Octavian is mentioned to be a legacy of Apollo and has the gift of prophecy, even if his messages do not always appear clearly such as through stuffed teddy bears.
Frank Zhang also mentions Apollo several times, he wished to be claimed by him as he is a skilled archer. Though he is not sure he wants to be related to Octavian. Frank also tells Percy that while Camp Jupiter normally does not approve of archery, children of Apollo are allowed to train on this field.
The Trials of Apollo
While Apollo is not shown, he, much like his Greek self, is trapped in a human form for six months. It's also mentioned that, unlike many of the other gods, Apollo doesn't change much between his Greek and Roman selves, having remained mostly the same in his Roman form.
Representation
Apollo's Greek aspect.
Apollo was very differently represented in different countries and times, according to the character he assumed. In general he is described as a beardless youth, with long flowing hair floating as it were in the wind, comely and graceful, crowned with laurel, his garments and sandals shining with gold. In one hand he holds a bow and arrows, in the other a lyre; sometimes a shield and the graces. At other times he is invested in a long robe, and carries a lyre and a cup of nectar, the symbol of his divinity.
Family
Children
|
Partner |
Children |
| Atia Balba Caesonia | Augustus |
| Anne of Austria | Louis XIV of France |
Legacies
|
Legacy |
Relation |
| Octavian | Descendant |
| Nero | Descendant |
Trivia
- Octavian, the Augur at Camp Jupiter, is a legacy of Apollo and supposedly has the gift of prophecy. Curiously, Octavian's namesake Augustus was sometimes said to be a son of Apollo.
- Apollo is more commonly known as the God of the Sun in his Roman counterpart, and was worshiped at his temple on Palatine hill, called Templum Apollinis Palatini, or "Palatine temple of Apollo".
- Apollo is the only Roman Olympian to share his name with his Greek aspect because "perfection can't be improved."
- Apollo's least favorite Roman Emperors are Tiberius, Caligula, Nero, Domitian, and Commodus.
- Louis XIV of France was his son. Because of that, all the descendants of this king are legacies, including the Spanish Royal family.
- His Norse counterparts are Sól, Balder, and Bragi.
- His Egyptian counterpart is Ra.