Apollon Maleatas

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As Apollon Maleatas ( Greek Απόλλων Μαλεάτας ) the Greek god Apollon was worshiped in Epidaurus and Sparta . The origin of this name is unknown. It is generally believed that there was a god named Maleatas as early as the Mycenaean times . This is said to have been a fertility god, who, however, also had healing powers. Later he merged with Apollon to Apollon Maleatas. In this context, the healing god Paian , who was close to Apollo and was sometimes equated with him, was worshiped.

Other researchers attribute the name Maleatas to Cape Malea in southern Laconia . However, there was a temple of Poseidon and not of Apollo. The ancient Greek poet Isyllos from Epidauros attributes the name to the king or hero Malos . This is said to have first erected an altar to the god Apollon Maleatas and sacrificed it to him. The sanctuary of Apollon Maleatas was built at this point .

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Pausanias : Travels in Greece , 2, 27, 7
  2. ^ Pausanias: Travels in Greece , 3, 12, 8
  3. IG IV² 1, 128.