The myth of Apollo, the god of prophecies

The myth of Apollo talks about the most revered god in Greek antiquity, after Zeus. So important was it that his cult survived covertly until the Middle Ages. In fact, today it is known that he has followers who still invoke him.

The importance of the myth of Apollo derives from the great powers that were attributed to this deity. He was considered the god of the arts, of prophecy, bearer of the light of truth, ruler of plagues, epidemics and sudden death, but also of healing and protection against evil forces.

Likewise, in the myth of Apollo, this god is awarded regency over beauty, harmony, balance, and perfection. He was the initiator of maturity in young people, protector of shepherds, sailors and archers, as well as the ultimate lord of the bow and arrow. Also god of music and poetry, chief of the muses and patron of the Oracle of Delphi.

The origin of the myth of Apollo

The myth of Apollo states that this god was the son of Zeus highest authority of Olympus, and Leto, a titanid. At first, Zeus became interested in Leto’s sister, named Asteria, and attempted to take her by force. She, frightened, turned into a quail to escape her siege. As he continued to harass her, she threw herself into the sea and became the island of Ortygia.

Afterwards, the greatest god of Olympus set his eyes on Leto, who reciprocated. She became pregnant, but Hera, legitimate wife of Zeus found out about the affair and began a fierce persecution against Leto. The betrayed woman asked her daughter Llitía, goddess of childbirth, to prevent her birth. Therefore, Leto was in horrible pain for nine days.

The gods took pity on the Titaness. Leto was expecting twins and the gods allowed the girl, Artemis, to be born and quickly become an adult so that she could help her mother with the birth of her brother, Apollo. It happened like that. Artemis was so shocked by her mother’s suffering that she decided to remain a virgin forever.

A fantastic Apollo

Leto’s ordeal did not end with the birth of Apollo. Hera, still furious at the betrayal, sent the snake Python to kill the little family. Again the gods, pitied by Leto’s fate, They made Apollo grow in just four days and killed the monster.

Apollo destroyed Python, a sacred snake, with a thousand arrows. Since he was a divine animal, he had to do penance for killing her and Where the monster fell, the Oracle of Delphi was built.. Apollo became the patron saint of this place, later whispering predictions in the ears of the Pythias or fortune tellers.

The myth of Apollo tells that Both he and his sister remained their mother’s protectors forever., since Hera never stopped chasing her. The twins killed the giant Titius, who was trying to rape her. They also killed the 14 children of Niobe, who mocked the unfortunate Titaness.

a human god

The myth of Apollo says that this god He had numerous offspring, but was unlucky in love. He became interested in Cassandra, to whom he had given a prophetic gift, but she rejected him. Then he fell in love with Daphne, because of an arrow from Cupid, but she did not reciprocate and turned her into a tree.

The myth of Apollo narrates several episodes in which this god participated. Many of them were acts of violence. One of the most notable took place when Zeus ordered the Cyclopes to kill Asclepius, son of Apollo. Overcome with pain, the god of arts killed the cyclops and for that he was punished. Zeus sent him to the mortal world and he had to live like them and experience their suffering..

Apollo was also a great player of the lyre and He actively participated in the Trojan War. There he fought alongside the Trojans and helped Paris kill Achilles, since he had killed his sons Hector and Troilus. The myth of Apollo passed almost intact into Roman mythology, where he was one of the most respected and admired deities.

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