The Power of the Sun God: Apollo throughout the Ages
Open Access
- Author:
- Doleno, Samantha
- Area of Honors:
- Interdisciplinary in Classics and Ancient Mediterranean Studies, French and Francophone Studies and History
- Degree:
- Bachelor of Arts
- Document Type:
- Thesis
- Thesis Supervisors:
- Mathias Hanses, Thesis Supervisor
Cathleen Denise Cahill, Thesis Honors Advisor
Erin Mc Kenna Hanses, Thesis Honors Advisor
Willa Zahava Silverman, Thesis Honors Advisor - Keywords:
- Rome
France
Apollo
Louis XIV
Nero
Augustus
Classical Reception - Abstract:
- Apollo has appeared as a symbol of propaganda in various rulers’ reigns throughout history. Three of the most famous uses of his image belong to Emperor Augustus, Emperor Nero, and King Louis XIV of France. The purpose of this thesis is to analyze the use of the god Apollo and his persona in the reigns of Nero and Louis XIV, and how they are more similar to one another than they are to Augustus. For emperors of Rome, associating and even portraying oneself as a god was a common practice, and Nero used Apollo to justify his own crimes and decisions during his time as emperor. Similarly, Louis XIV used Apollo in his imagery as King of France. Reigning in the Classical Age, the mythology and history of antiquity became popular once again, and it is no surprise that Apollo was used as a symbol of Louis XIV’s power. While many declare that Louis XIV was Augustan in nature, both during his reign and after, the ways in which he used Apollo during his reign and the reactions of the people prove that in reality Louis XIV is more Neronian. Evidence of these similarities can be seen throughout the art and architecture, public performances, literature, and politics of both Nero and Louis XIV.