# The Apollo Belvedere explained — Bulfinch’s Mythology

> Chapter companion for Bulfinch’s Mythology by Thomas Bulfinch.

## What happens

This chapter describes the Apollo Belvedere, a highly esteemed ancient Roman marble statue of Apollo, over seven feet tall, depicted naked except for a cloak. The statue is believed to represent Apollo in the moment after shooting an arrow to destroy the monster Python, capturing the god's graceful majesty and triumphant power.

## Themes in this chapter

### Heroism and the Quest

Apollo's slaying of the monster Python exemplifies the heroic quest to vanquish a monstrous foe.

### Hubris and Divine Retribution

The statue captures Apollo's divine power and the retribution visited upon Python, a symbol of chaos.

## Character check-ins

### Phoebus Apollo

The subject of the statue, depicted as a victorious god having just slain the monster Python.

## Key lines

> The most highly esteemed of all the remains of ancient sculpture is the statue of Apollo, called the Belvedere, from the name of the apartment of the Pope’s palace at Rome in which it was placed.

The Apollo Belvedere, named after the room in the Pope's Roman palace where it resides, is the most admired surviving ancient sculpture.

_Introduces the statue's name and location._

> It is supposed to represent the god in the moment when he has shot the arrow to destroy the monster Python.

The statue is thought to depict Apollo just after firing an arrow to kill the serpent Python.

_Describes the mythological moment captured in the sculpture._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/the-apollo-belvedere
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters