Apollo

Birth of Apollo

     Apollo, the son of Zeus and the Titan Leto, was born on the island Delos (meaning brilliant). Hera, Zeus' wife, discovered that Zeus has gotten yet another Goddess pregnant. Out of rage, Hera would not allow Leto to delieve her babies (she was pregant with twins, Apollo and Artemis). Because the land was too afraid to let Leto have her children, Leto found the island Delos, which was willing to let her. After his birth, Apollo was raised by Themis until he was able to assume the responability of becoming a god.^[1]

 Apollo's Parents

     Apollo's father is Zeus, the King of the Gods. His mother is the Titan Leto, who was hated by Hera (Zeus' wife) for having an "affair" with her husband.^[2]

What is Apollo in charge of?

 Apollo is the god of prophecy and oracles, healing, plague and disease, music, song and poetry, archery, the sun, and is considered to be the protector of the young.^[3]

Apollo's Symbols

   Apollo is often represented with a bow, a raven, laurel, and lyre.^[4]

Here, Apollo is seen with a bow and a laurel crown.^[5]

Apollo with a lyre and a raven^[6]

Major Story

     (Story of King Midas) ...."Midas hated wealth and splendor and became a worshiper of Pan,  god of woodlands. In another myth, Pan challenged Apollo, god of the music, to a test of skill at music. Tmolus, god of the mountain, was the judge at the contest and ruled that Apollo was the victor. Midas, being a follower of Pan, questioned the ruling and this offended Apollo. As a punishment for Midas' lack of musical "taste", Apollo changed Midas' ears into donkey ears. Ashamed of his disfigurement, he hid his ears under a large hat with only his barber knowing about the deformity. It was so hard for the barber to keep the secret that he dug a hole, whispered the secret into the hole, then covered it with earth. From this spot grew reeds that whispered, "Midas has donkey ears!" every time the wind blew."^[7]

In this story, Apollo displays his musical skills, and his arogance to King Midas. He was so offended by Midas' lack of appreciation for his music, that he turned his ears into those of a donkey.

Other Information

     Apollo is considered to be extremely handsome, and is often said to be the ideal example of a Greek god. He is often depicted as a young man with long hair and no facial hair.^[8]