Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net income attributable to Apollo (basic and diluted)	$ 14,605	$ 13,527	$ 113,496	$ 147,022
Basic weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	112,151	112,573	112,742	112,496
Anti-dilutive securities [Line Items]
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	113,380	113,068	113,676	112,984
Basic income per share attributable to Apollo (in dollars per share)	$ 0.13	$ 0.12	$ 1.01	$ 1.31
Diluted income per share attributable to Apollo (in dollars per share)	$ 0.13	$ 0.12	$ 1.00	$ 1.30
Restricted stock units and performance share awards [Member]
Anti-dilutive securities [Line Items]
Dilutive effect of share-based awards (in shares)	1,070	495	838	488
Anti-dilutive securities excluded from earnings per share computation	9	1,802	842	1,902
Stock options [Member]
Anti-dilutive securities [Line Items]
Dilutive effect of share-based awards (in shares)	159	0	96	0
Anti-dilutive securities excluded from earnings per share computation	2,628	7,849	3,079	8,124