[333], Artemis as the sister of Apollo, is thea apollousa, that is, she as a female divinity represented the same idea that Apollo did as a male divinity. ThoughtCo, Sep. 7, 2021, thoughtco.com/apollo-god-symbols-117070. [98] From the earliest times there were certain rules strictly observed in rectangular peripteral and prostyle buildings. Hence, Nestor was able to live for 3 generations.[172]. Apollo then played his lyre and sang at the same time, mesmerising the audience. He deflected many spears and arrows away them. 3-4, "The love-stories themselves were not told until later. She was later granted longevity by Apollo who turned her into a nymph. Hence, Apollo then became the master of the lyre. Apollo fulfilled her wish, but she went back on her word and rejected him soon after. Apollo granted the request by turning him into the Cypress named after him, which was said to be a sad tree because the sap forms droplets like tears on the trunk. Some say Apollo was once an anthropomorphic wolf-god who later took on more human characteristics. Otis and Ephialtes even dared to scale Mount Olympus. According to some traditions, he was a seven months child (heptamnaios). Eventually, after Daphne grew tired of Apollo's chasing she begged her father the river god Peneus for help. She bore to Apollo a son, whom Apollo named Ileus, after the city of his birth, Ilion (Troy). [87] In Iliad, his priest prays to Apollo Smintheus,[88] the mouse god who retains an older agricultural function as the protector from field rats. His twin sister is Artemis. These animals were one of many which were sacred to the forest goddess. Marsyas argued against this, saying that Apollo would have an advantage and accused Apollo of cheating. Apollo is said to have shared a romantic relationship with Admetus during his stay. They spend their time on Parnassus, which is one of their sacred places. ", For the iconography of the AlexanderHelios type, see H. Hoffmann, 1963. He foiled Achilles' attempt to mutilate Hector's dead body. Patron god of the theatre and art. Out of affection for her, Apollo turned her sisters into goddesses. Angered by this, Apollo shot arrows infected with the plague into the Greek encampment. (2021, September 7). This page was last edited on 1 March 2023, at 21:45. While he was taking it back, he was confronted by Apollo and Artemis, who were angered at Heracles for this act. Apollo often appears in modern and popular culture due to his status as the god of music, dance and poetry. Zeus, pleased with his son's integrity, gave Apollo the seat next to him on his right side. Apollo then ordered the hero to serve under Omphale, queen of Lydia for one year in order to purify himself. Once Apollo and Poseidon served under the Trojan king Laomedon in accordance to Zeus' words. wolves, dolphins, roe deer, swans, cicadas (symbolizing music and song), hawks, ravens, crows, python (referencing Apollo's function as the god of prophecy), mice . Vol I. pp. Apollo had to serve as a slave for nine years. Since he learnt the art of building when young, he later came to be known as Archegetes, the founder (of towns) and god who guided men to build new cities. - Artemis: Sister of Apollo, goddess of the hunt, protectress of wild animals, patroness of the young and innocent, of women (especially when pregnant); virgin, naturally hostile to Aphrodite. The nymphs decided that Apollo's argument was just. After jumping, he fell into the net of a fisherman in which, when he was pulled out, he found a box filled with gold. Zeus - Eagle Hera - Peacock, Cow Poseidon - Horse Hades - Ram, Bull (all black animals) Ares - Dog, Vulture Athena - Owl Apollo - Crow, Dolphin Artemis - Deer (all animals, but especially the deer) Aphrodite - Dove, Sparrow, Swan Hephaestus - Crane, Donkey. Apollo 's sacred plants were the Laurel, the Larkspur and the Cypress. V. 61-Paus. Medicine and healing are associated with Apollo, whether through the god himself or mediated through his son Asclepius. Apollo requited his affections and wanting to reward him, bestowed prophetic skills on him. Apollo saved a shepherd boy (name unknown) from death in a large deep cave, by the means of vultures. In myths, the tears of amber Apollo shed when his son Asclepius died became the waters of the river Eridanos, which surrounded Hyperborea. This may surprise you but Apollo, the God of Sun, Arts, Blessings, Love, Sports, and Magical Wisdom has picked Dolphin and his sacred animal. This was one way Cupid could restore the women's' beauty. The epitome of youth and beauty, source of life and healing, patron of the arts, and as bright and powerful as the sun itself, Apollo was, arguably, the most loved of all the gods. "As he [Zeus] cut them one after another, he bade Apollo give the face and the half of the neck a turn Apollo was also bidden to heal their wounds and compose their forms. According to Greek tradition, he helped Cretan or Arcadian colonists found the city of Troy. These animals were considered sacred and worshipped in a wide array of ceremonies and sacrifices. [74] However it can explain only the Doric type of the name, which is connected with the Ancient Macedonian word "pella" (Pella), stone. But he made sure to leave a few wrinkles on the abdomen and around the navel so that they might be reminded of their punishment.[181]. She is also present in Roman mythology; she was renamed as the goddess Nox. The site of Delphi is located on the southern slopes of Mount Parnassus in central Greece, and is about 120 kilometers (75 miles) northwest of Athens. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Dionysus caused ivy to grow all over the ship and he turned all the pirates (with the exception of the helmsman) into Dolphins. Because Admetus had treated Apollo well, the god conferred great benefits on him in return. When Apollo spotted a ship of Cretan sailors that was caught in a storm, he quickly assumed the shape of a dolphin and guided their ship safely to Delphi. The fate of Niobe was prophesied by Apollo while he was still in Leto's womb. The Pythia, however, denied to give any prophesy. Nay, all these allurements suit with naught save luxury. The first buildings were built narrowly in order to hold the roof, and when the dimensions changed some mathematical relations became necessary in order to keep the original forms. Since Leto was unable to feed him, Themis, the goddess of divine law, fed him with nectar, or ambrosia. [186][187] Apollo's harmonious music delivered people from their pain, and hence, like Dionysus, he is also called the liberator. Arion requested them to let him sing for the last time, to which the sailors consented. Then Apollo himself replaced the charioteer and took the reins in his hands. Apollo, the god of music, prophecy, and poetry, was associated with several different animals. Fairbanks), Eustathius on Iliad; cf. At last when the moment of departure came, Apollo expressed his grief with tears in his eyes and bid farewell to Amphiaraus, who was soon engulfed by the Earth.[217]. What of his song, so cunning and so sweet? 62. [218] He also killed Porphyrion, the king of giants, using his bow and arrows. [365] Significantly more rare are the life-sized bronze statues. As for her sacred animals, these were the deer, four of which had golden horns and were pulling her golden chariot. Apollo, transferred the Priests from Crete to his holiest temple turning himself into a dolphin. Once Hera, out of spite, aroused the Titans to war against Zeus and take away his throne. [citation needed] However, this relationship was never sexual but spiritual,[334] which is why they both are seen being unmarried in the Hellenic period. When Admetus angered the goddess Artemis by forgetting to give her the due offerings, Apollo came to the rescue and calmed his sister. [370] In 2016, author Rick Riordan published the first book in the Trials of Apollo series,[371][372] publishing four other books in the series in 2017,[373] 2018,[374] 2019[375] and 2020. She is the cause of sudden deaths of women. Jeremy Villasis, Philippines / Getty Images. Apollo liked cowsbut he liked music more. Hephaestus After chasing the hind for one year, the animal eventually got tired, and when it tried crossing the river Ladon, Heracles captured it. [81] The stones found in front of the gates of Homeric Troy were the symbols of Apollo. The Nemean Lion. Apollo fathered 3 daughters, Apollonis, Borysthenis and Cephisso, who formed a group of minor Muses, the "Musa Apollonides". Known as the ideal of youth and athleticism, Apollo is the son of the Zeus and Leto; and his twin sister, Artemis, is the goddess of the moon and the hunt. Once all ravens were white birds or so goes the myth, but after delivering bad news to the god he scorched the wings of the raven so that all ravens going forward were black. It was found in Piraeus, a port city close to Athens, and is believed to have come from north-eastern Peloponnesus. Hesychius connects the name Apollo with the Doric (apella), which means "assembly", so that Apollo would be the god of political life, and he also gives the explanation (sekos), "fold", in which case Apollo would be the god of flocks and herds. To commemorate his son's bravery, Apollo commanded Boeotians to build a town around the tomb of the hero, and to honor him.[183]. Apollo killed the giants Python and Tityos, who had assaulted his mother Leto. Aplu, meaning the son of, was a title given to the god Nergal, who was linked to the Babylonian god of the sun Shamash. Accordingly, when the Titans tried to climb Mount Olympus, Zeus with the help of Apollo, Artemis and Athena, defeated them and cast them into tartarus.[211]. [209], During the Trojan War, Odysseus came to the Trojan camp to return Chriseis, the daughter of Apollo's priest Chryses, and brought many offerings to Apollo. These were not arbitrary pairings, but instead encapsulated the mythology of ancient Greece's holy deities, and what they taught the culture at . Apollo defended his mother and killed Python. Apollo was declared the winner and, angered with Marsyas' haughtiness and his accusations, decided to flay the satyr. His domestic actions caused embarrassment to his family. Well Known Greek God Names with their Symbols, Attributes and Sacred Animals Greek God Names of the Olympian Gods Apollo - Apollo is known to be the God of the Sun. A devastated Niobe fled to Mount Sipylos in Asia Minor and turned into stone as she wept. Old sources say Apollo was "wolf-born", which refers to his mother Leto (see above). Apollo is the god who affords help and wards off evil; various epithets call him the "averter of evil". Apollo turned Parthenos into a constellation after her early death. In Euripides' play Ion, Apollo fathered Ion by Creusa, wife of Xuthus. Apollo gives an order through the Oracle at Delphi that Agamemnon's son, Orestes, is to kill Clytemnestra and Aegisthus, her lover. Apollo rescued the baby by cutting open Koronis' belly and gave it to the centaur Chiron to raise. But in the next round, Apollo decided to play on his lyre and add his melodious voice to his performance. Capercaillie, Golden Eagle and Apollo Butterfly. About the 4th century BCE, the paean became merely a formula of adulation; its object was either to implore protection against disease and misfortune or to offer thanks after such protection had been rendered. This satisfied Alcestis' father and he let Admetus marry his daughter. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. The god seems to be related to Appaliunas, a tutelary god of Wilusa (Troy) in Asia Minor, but the word is not complete. Also, she was protector of young children and was know to bring and relieve disease in women. Finally, the voice of unborn Apollo informed his mother about a floating island named Delos that had once been Asteria, Leto's own sister. When she sought for the reason behind this, Apollo told her that Zeus, before taking another lover, would sit on this rock to free himself from his love to Hera. Apollo armed his son with his own hands and gave him a bow and arrows and fitted a strong shield to his arm. Water from this spring was sacred; it was used to clean the Delphian temples and inspire the priestesses.[331]. [231] Their vivid anecdotal qualities have made some of them favorites of painters since the Renaissance, the result being that they stand out more prominently in the modern imagination. Online version at the Topos Text Project. He also helped many Trojan heroes, the most important one being Hector. Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology, The epithet "Smintheus" has historically been confused with, Divinites et sanctuaires de la Gaule, E. Thevonat, 1968, Paris, La religion des Celtes, J. de Vries, 1963, Paris, Martin Nilsson (1967). [84] However, while usually Greek festivals were celebrated at the full moon, all the feasts of Apollo were celebrated at the seventh day of the month, and the emphasis given to that day (sibutu) indicates a Babylonian origin.[85]. Apollo's lyre has the power to turn itemslike stonesinto musical instruments. Apollo had also once convinced Athena to stop the war for that day, so that the warriors can relieve themselves for a while. He fought with the fisherman and took the gold, but Apollo appeared to him in the night in a dream and warned him not to appropriate gold which belonged to others. Originally brought to the site from elsewhere, the stones were painted in charcoal, ocher, and white. Apollo promises to protect Orestes, as Orestes has become Apollo's supplicant. Hecate, the goddess of witchcraft and magic, is the chthonic counterpart of Apollo. For other uses, see, God of oracles, healing, archery, music and arts, sunlight, knowledge, herds and flocks, and protection of the young, Krauskopf, I. However, Apollo did not tolerate this and stopped Heracles; a duel ensued between them. It is the only surviving large-scale Peloponnesian statue.[366]. The doe, the dog, the boar, and the wolf were sacred to her among the animals; among the plants, the laurel, the cedar, and the olive tree. Apollo immediately prophesied that Troy would fall at the hands of Aeacus's descendants, the Aeacidae (i.e. For the Greeks, Apollo was the most Greek of all the gods, and through the centuries he acquired different functions. Additionally, Apollo fostered and educated Chiron, the centaur who later became the greatest teacher and educated many demigods, including Apollo's sons. Daphne was a nymph who scorned Apollo's advances and ran away from him. [137] He was washed clean by the goddesses who then covered him in white garment and fastened golden bands around him. [237], Hyrie or Thyrie was the mother of Cycnus. [348] In the time of Augustus, who considered himself under the special protection of Apollo and was even said to be his son, his worship developed and he became one of the chief gods of Rome. N.S. Apollo took care of the male offspring and Artemis of Niobe 's daughters. "Helios", in. The mountain-god Tmolus was chosen to umpire. [80], Homer pictures Apollo on the side of the Trojans, fighting against the Achaeans, during the Trojan War. Asclepius is the most famous son of Apollo. The contest was judged by the Muses, or the nymphs of Nysa. She bore him a son, Iamos. Zeus made her choose between them, and she chose Idas on the grounds that Apollo, being immortal, would tire of her when she grew old.[330]. [63] It is suggested, though unconfirmed, that he is connected to the Mycenaean figure pa-ja-wo-ne (Linear B: ). She made him promise that he would grant to her whatever she would ask for, and then cleverly asked him to let her stay a virgin. 828. Artemis rushed to support Apollo, while Athena supported Heracles. But he metamorphosed Periphas into an eagle and made the eagle the king of birds. The spelling (pronounced[a.pl.ln] in Classical Attic) had almost superseded all other forms by the beginning of the common era, but the Doric form, Apellon (), is more archaic, as it is derived from an earlier *j. Fordham Univ Press. Anius, Apollo's son by Rhoeo, was abandoned by his mother soon after his birth. When Apollo was grown, he shot the Python with arrows and took over Delphi as his own shrine. Gill, N.S. One of the few originals which survived into the present dayso rare that its discovery in 1959 was described as "a miracle" by Ernst Homann-Wedekingis the masterpiece bronze, Piraeus Apollo. The ancient Greeks believed that Mercury as observed during the morning was a different planet than the one during the evening, because each twilight Mercury would appear farther from the Sun as it set than it had the night before. She was the daughter of Zeus, king of the gods, and the Titaness Leto and she has a twin brother, the god Apollo. Artemis and Apollo were very protective of their mother. Minoan Goddess. Apollo was born on the seventh day (, hebdomagenes)[145] of the month Thargelionaccording to Delian traditionor of the month Bysiosaccording to Delphian tradition. [253], Apollo sired many children, from mortal women and nymphs as well as the goddesses. The violet remains a sacred flower to Cupid, and witches still use Violet in a variety of love spells and love potions. Drinking the blood of many slain animals. Knowing that Apollo can prevent a recurrence of the plague he sent, they purify themselves in a ritual and offer him a large sacrifice of cows, called a hecatomb. He captured the old people and children and sent them to his army to hold them for ransom. This annoyed Zeus, who decided to annihilate the entire family of Periphas. Apollo's birthplace was Mount Cynthus on the island of Delos. [3] In Latin texts, however, there was no conflation of Apollo with Sol among the classical Latin poets until 1st century CE. In literary contexts, Apollo represents harmony, order, and reasoncharacteristics contrasted with those of Dionysus, god of wine, who represents ecstasy and disorder. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. [56] Walter Burkert discerned three components in the prehistory of Apollo worship, which he termed "a Dorian-northwest Greek component, a Cretan-Minoan component, and a Syro-Hittite component. He used his powers to conceal her pregnancy from her father. As the myth goes, Cronus learned of a prophecy in which he was fated to be overthrown by one of his children. Even more often than deer, Artemis was seen with her pack of hunting dogs. [154], In his early years when Apollo spent his time herding cows, he was reared by Thriae, the bee nymphs, who trained him and enhanced his prophetic skills. Delphi was an ancient religious sanctuary dedicated to the Greek god Apollo. [339], As patrons of arts, Apollo and Athena were companions of the Muses, the former a much more frequent companion than the latter. Evadne was a nymph daughter of Poseidon and a lover of Apollo. To check their insolence, Zeus devised a plan to humble them and improve their manners instead of completely destroying them. Apollo held a grudge against Achilles throughout the war because Achilles had murdered his son Tenes before the war began and brutally assassinated his son Troilus in his own temple. Several of this Goddesses roles may appear incompatible in nature. Only then would Alcides be absolved of his sin. In Hellenistic times, especially during the 5th century BCE, as Apollo Helios he became identified among Greeks with Helios, the personification of the Sun. ", Scholiast on Apollonius Rhodius, Arg. [227], Leukatas was believed to be a white colored rock jutting out from the island of Leukas into the sea. [138] Leto promised that her son would be always favorable towards the Delians. Apollo, Olympia. While driving the catlle he came upon a man of the name Battus and bribed . When he got severely injured, Apollo healed him and encouraged him to take up his arms. 540, 544, "The conception that the diseases come from invisible shots sent by magicians or supernatural beings is common in primitive people and also in European folklore. [238], Hecuba was the wife of King Priam of Troy, and Apollo had a son with her named Troilus. Artemis, like her brother, is armed with a bow and arrows. [384] Psychologist Carl Jung's Apollo archetype represents what he saw as the disposition in people to over-intellectualise and maintain emotional distance.[385]. He seized the roads to Delphi and started harassing the pilgrims. While Apollo presided over the prophetic powers and magic of light and heaven, Hecate presided over the prophetic powers and magic of night and chthonian darkness. Python, a chthonic serpent-dragon, was a child of Gaia and the guardian of the Delphic Oracle, whose death was foretold by Apollo when he was still in Leto's womb. He would also make cheese and serve it to Admetus. In the traditionally Celtic lands, he was most often seen as a healing and sun god. Apollo's children who became musicians and bards include Orpheus, Linus, Ialemus, Hymenaeus, Philammon, Eumolpus and Eleuther. Seeing his plight, Apollo pleaded Zeus to release the kind Titan, while Artemis and Leto stood behind him with tears in their eyes. Out of shame, he assigned to himself the punishment of being skinned for a wine sack. [29][30], Apollo was worshipped throughout the Roman Empire. [138] In most of the traditions, Apollo was still a child when he killed Python. The most famous is the little owl, which was associated with Athena because she was the patron goddess of the city of Athens, where owls were said to be common. Pepin, Ronald E. (2008). Plato said that the innate ability of humans to take delight in music, rhythm and harmony is the gift of Apollo and the Muses. Percy Bysshe Shelley composed a "Hymn of Apollo" (1820), and the god's instruction of the Muses formed the subject of Igor Stravinsky's Apollon musagte (19271928). [368] Some time after this mosaic was executed, the earliest depictions of Christ would also be beardless and haloed. The love between Apollo and Admetus was a favored topic of Roman poets like Ovid and Servius. He then gave the rest of his body for proper burial[203] and nailed Marsyas' flayed skin to a nearby pine-tree as a lesson to the others. She is always depicted as majestic and queenly. [148] Niobe was the queen of Thebes and wife of Amphion. Apollo has featured in dance and music in modern culture. Apollo SACRED ANIMAL Cow, hawk, snake, crow/raven, cicada, swan, mouse Apollo, the god of music and the arts, is associated with several different animals. Sinope, a nymph, was approached by the amorous Apollo. [33][89][90] All these functions, including the function of the healer-god Paean, who seems to have Mycenean origin, are fused in the cult of Apollo. Zeus killed him for bringing back the dead, but upon Apollo's request, he was resurrected as a god. [208], Apollo helped the Greek hero Diomedes, to escape from a great tempest during his journey homeward. Apollo's birth fixed the floating Delos to the earth. She was armed with golden bow and arrows, weapons made by the Cyclopes (the masters of manufacturing weapons for the Gods!). Henceforth, Hyperborea became Apollo's winter home and wolves became sacred to him. [17] Mythographers agree that Artemis was born first and subsequently assisted with the birth of Apollo or was born on the island of Ortygia then helped Leto cross the sea to Delos the next day to give birth to Apollo. On the other hand, Apollo also encouraged founding new towns and establishment of civil constitution. Although his sacred animals were the wolf, the raven and the dolphin, Apollo was also known as the god of cowherds and kept (bright red) sacred cows, the finest cattle in the world. In the 2nd and 3rd century CE, those at Didyma and Claros pronounced the so-called "theological oracles", in which Apollo confirms that all deities are aspects or servants of an all-encompassing, highest deity. [360] Eusebius wrote that the second appearance of the moon is held sacred in the city of Apollo in Egypt and that the city's symbol is a man with a hawklike face (Horus). Tiger. [197] Hermes then began to play music on the lyre he had invented. [194] Apollo also participated in musical contests when challenged by others. It was present in the sanctuary of Apollo Leukates. But Apollo soon repented and being distressed at what he had done, he tore the strings of his lyre and threw it away. He later built the city Chaeronea. When Apollo chased her in order to persuade her, she changed herself into a laurel tree. [249] Latin poet Ovid in his Ars Amatoria said that even though he was a god, Apollo forsook his pride and stayed in as a servant for the sake of Admetus. Artemis was the daughter of Zeus and Leto and the twin sister of Apollo. She is also described in Greek mythology as "Goddess of the night", "Lady of the Beast", "Woodland Goddess" and "Phoebe," which translates as the bright one. Zeus had turned all the people of Thebes to stone and so no one buried the Niobids until the ninth day after their death, when the gods themselves entombed them.