Aphrodite et Apollon. Essai sur une relation divine privilégiée à Chypre

Abstract

This paper aims to underline the special divine relationship between Aphrodite and Apollo in Cyprus. Cypriot mythology and religion provide numerous examples of the obvious interactions between those two divinities. The goal of the submitted essay is, therefore, to show the nature of those specific ties through some significant instances. Firstly, this topic is examined basing on the literary sources. Then, the cultic complementarities visible in different kinds of rites are studied. Finally, a particular attention is given to the parallel evolution of the name of those divine figures provided by the epigraphic material. This study shows the filiation of Aphrodite and Apollo with some autochthonous, preexisting goddess and god whose origins date back to the beginnings of the religious belief in Cyprus.