Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2014	May 31, 2014	Feb. 28, 2014	Nov. 30, 2013	Aug. 31, 2013	May 31, 2013	Feb. 28, 2013	Nov. 30, 2012	Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net income attributable to Apollo (basic and diluted)	$ 29,783	$ 66,025	$ 14,605	$ 98,891	$ 21,551	$ 79,953	$ 13,527	$ 133,495	$ 209,304	$ 248,526	$ 422,678
Basic weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	109,364	110,613	112,151	113,326	113,105	112,742	112,573	112,420	111,354	112,712	121,607
Anti-dilutive securities [Line Items]
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	110,839	112,082	113,380	113,960	113,740	113,372	113,068	112,849	112,610	113,285	122,357
Basic income per share attributable to Apollo (in dollars per share)	$ 0.27	$ 0.60	$ 0.13	$ 0.87	$ 0.19	$ 0.71	$ 0.12	$ 1.19	$ 1.88	$ 2.20	$ 3.48
Diluted income per share attributable to Apollo (in dollars per share)	$ 0.27	$ 0.59	$ 0.13	$ 0.87	$ 0.19	$ 0.71	$ 0.12	$ 1.18	$ 1.86	$ 2.19	$ 3.45
Restricted stock units and performance share awards [Member]
Anti-dilutive securities [Line Items]
Dilutive effect of share-based awards (in shares)									1,116	573	746
Anti-dilutive securities excluded from earnings per share computation (in shares)									39	1,449	15
Stock options [Member]
Anti-dilutive securities [Line Items]
Dilutive effect of share-based awards (in shares)									140	0	4
Anti-dilutive securities excluded from earnings per share computation (in shares)									2,532	7,040	8,785