Brief Overview of Ἀπολλωνία (G624: Apollōnia)

1. Brief Overview:

Transliteration: Apollōnia

Root Words: Derived from Ἀπόλλων (Apóllōn), the name of the Greek god Apollo. The suffix -ία (-ía) is used to form place names or related nouns in Greek.

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Primary Meanings:

• Apollonia is a place name, referring to several cities or regions named after Apollo.
• It is notably used for a city in Macedonia.

2. Detailed Description:

BDAG (Bauer-Danker-Arndt-Gingrich): BDAG lists Ἀπολλωνία as a place name derived from Apollo. Specifically, it refers to a city in Macedonia (Apollonia) and notes that the name indicates a city dedicated or related to Apollo.

Thayer’s: Thayer’s Greek Lexicon identifies Ἀπολλωνία as a city named after Apollo, emphasizing its geographic and historical significance in Macedonia.

Vines: Vines’ Expository Dictionary confirms that Ἀπολλωνία is used to denote a city or place named in honor of Apollo, focusing on its role as a proper noun.

LSJ (Liddell-Scott-Jones): LSJ highlights that Ἀπολλωνία is a city name, with references to multiple locations named after the god Apollo, including the city in Macedonia.

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: Strong’s lists Ἀπολλωνία as a proper noun referring to a city named after Apollo, specifically noting its location in Macedonia.

3. Usage in Classic Greek Literature:

Strabo (Geography, 1st century CE): Strabo mentions Apollonia in his descriptions of geographical locations in Macedonia, illustrating its historical context.

Pliny the Elder (Natural History, 1st century CE): Pliny refers to Apollonia in his accounts of geographical regions, providing insight into its significance in the Roman Empire.

Ptolemy (Geography, 2nd century CE): Ptolemy’s maps and writings include Apollonia, showing its importance as a city in his geographical work.

4. Summary:

Ἀπολλωνία (Apollōnia) is a Greek term referring to cities named after Apollo, particularly a notable city in Macedonia. The name reflects the cultural and religious significance of Apollo in ancient Greek geography and history. It appears in various classical sources as a significant location within the Roman and Greek world, underlining its role as a place of historical and geographical importance.