Apollonia

/ˌæp.əˈloʊ.ni.ə/ noun

Definition

In historical contexts, a city dedicated to Apollo; also the name of several ancient Mediterranean cities and an early Christian martyr saint.

Etymology

From Apollo with the place-name suffix '-ia,' used by the ancient Greeks to name settlements dedicated to the god. Multiple cities in the ancient world bore this name.

Kelly Says

There were at least 10 ancient cities named Apollonia, reflecting how popular Apollo was across the Greek world—and one Apollonia, a young Christian martyr, became the patron saint of teeth because of a pun on her name!

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