The Temple of Apollo Corinth is one of the oldest Doric temples in the Peloponnese and the Greek mainland. The Archaic Temple was built around 560 BCE on top of an imposing. Rocky hill to the north of Acrocorinth, made of local oolithic limestone. It was an emblem of the Greek city of Corinth, reflecting its growth and prosperity.

The Temple is a two-story structure with a large central hall and two wings. The main entrance was the most significant room and site of religious ceremonies and offerings. The two wings were used for storage, and they were also used as sleeping quarters for priests.

The walls of the Temple were adorned with several sculptures. Including statues of Apollo and Artemis, as well as a bronze statue of Zeus.

The Temple also had a large courtyard for sacrifices, surrounded by a large stone wall. The Temple of Apollo Corinth is a testament to the power and skill of the Chorazin people in ancient times. It is an incredible sight to behold and will surely delight any history or architecture buff.

How was built the Temple of Apollo Corinth?

Corinth is a significant city, particularly in pottery dissemination. It becomes even more critical than Athens during the Orientalizing period. This significance also coincides with the arrival in 620 BCE of the Cypselid family with Cypselos (who becomes a tyrant).

Which elevates Corinth to the most powerful city in Greece after ousting the Bacchiades. Who had established a harsh oligarchic government in the town.

The family implements several populist initiatives, such as the expansion of intense building activity and a vibrant expansionist policy. Cysphelos also promotes the construction of a temple as an expression of this acquired power.

So he planned to build a temple dedicated to Apollo in the area once occupied by another temple, which was completed by his son around 540 B.C.

The Description of the Temple of Apollo Corinth

The Temple of Apollo Corinth has a complete colonnade (peristyle) around the cella (peripteral Temple). With six columns on the front (hexastyle) and fifteen on the long sides. More than six meters high and supported by a stylobate formed by four high steps. The pronaos and opisthodomos, with two columns in antis, and the nand ave naos (cella) with two rows inside.

Seven monolithic columns remain in addition to the base of the limestone temple, the shafts having twenty canonical grooves and a strong tapering. The heaviness of the forms is typical of mature Doric; sturdy, heavy columns like the Temple of Apollo at Syracuse seem to express the architect’s dissatisfaction with an early stone building.

The cella’s design is complex and non-canonical: a wall divides the cella into two unequal and non-communicating parts, each with two rows of four columns and two rows of two columns. The Temple could have been dedicated to two separate deities and named after the larger of the two.

How was the Temple of Apollo Corinth in the Roman period?

The Temple of Apollo Corinth was renovated during the Roman period to house the Emperor’s cult when the Romans refounded the city of Corinth. During the Byzantine period, a basilica was built on the northeast corner of Temple Hill.

In contrast, during the Ottoman period, the Temple’s eastern portion was demolished, and a new residence for the local Turkish Bey was built on top of its crepis.

Even though only seven vertical columns of the western pteron and a portion of the crepis and its foundations remain, the monument serves as the symbol of the Archaeological Site of Ancient Corinth. It is one of the few remaining Archaic Greek Temples in the world.

Apollo in the Bible – everything you need to know

Apollos was a church leader, evangelist, apologist, and Paul’s friend. Apollos was an Alexandrian Jew who was described as “eloquent,” “steadfast in the Scriptures,” “fervent in spirit,” and “taught in the Lord’s way.” He traveled to Ephesus in 54 C.E. and boldly taught in the synagogue. However, his understanding of the gospel was incomplete at the time, as he “knew only the baptism of John.”

Aquila and Priscilla, Paul’s friends, spent time with Apollos, filling in the gaps in his understanding of Jesus Christ. Armed with the complete message, Apollos immediately began an evangelistic ministry and was used by God as an effective apologist for the gospel.

Apollo’s journey from Achaia to Corinth

Apollos journeyed through Achaia until he arrived in Corinth (Acts 19:1), where he “watered” where Paul had “planted.” This is an important consideration when studying the first Epistle to the Corinthians. Apollos had gained a following in the Corinthian Church due to his natural gifts, but mere admiration turned into discord.

Despite Apollos’ wishes, a Corinthian faction began to regard him as their spiritual mentor, excluding Paul and Peter. First Corinthians 1:12-13 mentions Paul’s partiality. Christ is not divided, and we should not be either. We can’t love personality over truth.

The Bible’s final mention of Apollo is in Paul’s Letter to Titus: “Make careful provision for the journey of Zena, the law-giver, and Apollo, that they may lack nothing.” Apollo was on his way to Crete at the time. And it was clear that Paul still regarded Apollo as a valued colleague and friend.

Conclusions about Apollo and his Temple

Some believe Apollo later returned to Ephesus to serve the Church. Although there is no biblical confirmation, he likely did. Furthermore, some associate Apollos with the unidentified author of the Book of Hebrews; however, there is no biblical support for this identification. The author of the Book of Hebrews still needs to be discovered today.

In summary, Apollos was a man of letters with a solid devotion to the Lord and a gift for preaching. He worked for the Lord, assisting the apostles’ ministry and faithfully building up the Church. His life should inspire us to grow “instead in the grace and knowledge of the Lord” (2 Peter 3:18) and to use God’s gifts to spread the gospel.

The Temple of Apollo Corinth was important because leaders came to consult the Oracle and then stayed to engage in diplomacy with one another. Its significance predated its inclusion in Apollonian rituals. It was considered the center of the world since Archaic times—the Omphalos or navel, chosen by Zeus.

The Temple of Apollo Corinth was dedicated to him by the Phigaleians, believing that the God of the sun and healing had protected them from plague and invasion.