| Apaliunas | |
|---|---|
| Gender | male |
| Region | Wilusa |
| Equivalents | |
| Etruscan | Apulu |
| Greek | Apollo |
| Roman | Apollo |
Apaliunas (Hittite: 𒀀𒀊𒉺𒇷𒌋𒈾𒀸Āppaliunāš) is the name of a god, attested in aHittite language treaty as a protective deity ofWilusa. Apaliunas is considered to be the Hittitereflex of*Apeljōn, an early form of the nameApollo, which may also be surmised from comparison ofCypriotἈπείλων (Apeílōn) withDoricἈπέλλων (Apéllōn).[1]
Apaliunas is among the gods who guarantee a treaty drawn up about 1280 BCE betweenAlaksandu of Wilusa, interpreted as "Alexander ofIlios" and the greatHittite king,[2]Muwatalli II. He is one of the three deities named on the side of the city. InHomer, Apollo is the builder of the walls of Ilium, a god on the Trojan side. ALuwian etymology suggested forApaliunas makes Apollo "The One of Entrapment", perhaps in the sense of "Hunter".[3]