Apollo's Enduring Influence on Western Civilization

Introduction: Apollo and the Question of Influence

One can successfully argue that Apollo has had the most eminent impact on Western civilization of any Greek god or goddess. This claim only grows stronger when the comparison is narrowed to Apollo and Dionysus. As the god of wine, Dionysus is largely associated with revelry, celebrations, and seasonal events such as the Saturnalia and the summer solstice. The associations of Apollo, however, are far more enduring and significant. Apollo is associated with the sun and with poetry — two indelible facets of Western civilization that have, in many respects, come to define that civilization to this day.

Apollo as the God of Poetry and Literary Tradition

As the god of poetry, Apollo has played a highly significant role in Western civilization. A number of epic poems are considered verifiable classics and cultural touchstones of Western civilization, and Apollo figures prominently in each of them. Included in this literary canon are works such as the Odyssey, the Aeneid, and the Iliad. As the god of poetry, Apollo is directly referenced by the poets who conceived these works. Beyond mere mention, Apollo is the very personification of poetic verse, meaning that it is by his grace that poets received their inspiration. Notably, all poetry in the ancient world was attributed to Apollo — and thus the classical literature that conceived and continues to define Western culture stands as a testament to his greatness.