In Greek mythology, Apollo is the god of light, music, medicine, knowledge, prophecy, and manly beauty. He was often seen as an ideal male figure who embodied virtue and chastity. As such, he was thought to have no interest in women, though some accounts suggest that he had relationships with nymphs or dryads, or female spirits of nature. According to Homer's Iliad, Apollo himself declared that he could never love a mortal woman because they were all unfaithful.
He also cursed the Trojan prince Paris for seducing his lover, Helen of Troy.
Sexual restraint
Apollo's lack of interest in mortals may have inspired the idea of sexual restraint. The concept of self-control became central to religious practices related to him. In classical Greece, there were several sacred sites dedicated to Apollo where priests would undergo rituals involving fasting, purification, abstinence from sex, and prayer. These were believed to help cultivate divine favor and wisdom. At Delphi, for example, priests would abstain from touching women for their entire lifetime, while at Didyma, they would not eat meat or drink wine.
Erotic desire
Erotic desire was still part of Greek culture. It was associated with Dionysus, another major deity, who represented revelry, ecstasy, intoxication, and orgiastic celebrations. Dionysian festivities were known for excess and abandonment, with participants indulging in sensual pleasures and losing themselves in the music and dance. This contrasted sharply with the stoicism and control exhibited by Apollonian figures like Hercules, Achilles, and Odysseus. Some scholars have suggested that this tension between Dionysian and Apollonian forces created an idealized masculinity based on self-mastery and discipline.
Ethical relational conduct
The relationship between gods and humans in ancient Greece was often seen as a model for interpersonal behavior. According to Homer, Zeus created humanity out of love for his wife, Hera, who wanted a race of beings that could worship her. He also endowed them with morality, including sexual restraint. As such, Greek mythology portrayed ethical relational conduct as something inherent in our nature, rather than taught by society. The Greeks believed that men should practice self-control and respect for others, both in romantic relationships and social interactions.
Apollo's influence on sexuality and intimacy shaped ancient Greek attitudes towards sex, gender roles, and personal responsibility. While he promoted chastity and restraint, he did not completely reject physical pleasure or emotional connection. Instead, he emphasized balance, temperance, and self-discipline, qualities that continue to resonate today.
How does Apollo-centered religious discipline influence sexual restraint, erotic desire, and ethical relational conduct?
In ancient Greek religion, the god Apollo was revered as a divine model of strength, skillfulness, and purity. The Greek philosopher Plato believed that people who follow Apollo's teachings should abstain from sex before marriage and remain faithful during it. Accordingly, this religious discipline may have influenced sexual restraint by instilling moral values in individuals and creating social norms surrounding sexual activity.