Temple of Apollo

Pompeii is known throughout the world for being the biggest and longest-running archaeological sites on earth.

Once a thriving city in Ancient Rome, Pompeii was whipped out in 79 AD by the nearby volcano, Mount Vesuvius eruption. However, over the year’s historians have found the skeleton of the city remaining, with many significant sites preserved within the dirt. Letting visitors take a step back in time and imagine the ancient society that once lived within these ruins.

One of the greatest attractions in Pompeii is the Temple of Apollo, a Roman temple that is dedicated to the Roman god Apollo.

About Apollo

Apollo, the God of Sun, was one of the most important deities around, with a large majority of his fellow gods fearing him. The Romans worshipped him for his agricultural, as he cared for the region’s crops and farm animals. He was typically depicted in his youth, with no beard, usually shown nude or lightly robed carrying a bow and a lyre. Many regions held festivals to honoured Apollo, with the most important being the Delphic Stepterion, which was held once every eight years.

Apollo in Pompeii

Historians believe the cult who honoured Apollo began from Pompeii’s foundation in the 6th century B.C. As it can be seen in pottery fragments found in Etruscan bowls of this time. However, interest began to dwindle in the 5th century, but the temple remained for three more centuries before it was reconstructed.

About Temple of Apollo

Historians believe the Temple of Apollo was dedicated to the god Apollo due to the dedication found in the cell of Oscan by quaestor Oppius Campanus. Multiple columns, walls, and statues remain in this archaeological site, letting historians and visitors visualise how this grand temple once was.

The temple was surrounded by Corinthian columns with a travertine stone altar at the foot of the long flight of stairs and a sundial slightly to one side. During the reign of Emperor Nero after the earthquake of 62 A.D. the columns and trabeation were embellished with stucco work, only a few remains of which are now visible.

What you can see Today

It is incredible the amount of features leftover from the Temple of Apollo, with walls, columns, statues, and basins scattered about the region. The columns still feature unique and historic carvings along the sides and top sections, with each helping historians, discover where the entrances were and how the building was styled back in the day. Other unique features such as altars remain, including one dedicated by the Augustan duoviri L. Sepunius Sandilianus and M. Herrinius Epidianus. Various basins and statues also can be seen, with other divinities besides Apollo featured to honour a number of the gods.