Cultus Apollinis

Apollo is the ancient Greek god of healing, oracles and inspiration. He had no indigenous Roman counterpart, such as Venus for Aphrodite or Mars for Ares. He was worshipped in Rome primarily as Apollo Medicus, Apollo the healer. Apollo was actually quite a minor god in Italy and did not become popular until the advent of Augustus who built a magnificent temple on the Palatine to him.

In 430 BCE, the Temple of Apollo Medicus was dedicated to Apollo on account of a plague. Located near the Theater of Marcellus, three fluted white marble Corinthian columns of this temple were re-erected in modern times. Fragments of this temple are found in the Montemartini Museum.

During the Second Punic War in 212 BCE, the Ludi Apollinares were instituted in his honor.