God Apollo

Prophetic gift of Apollo. None of the immortals can compare in beauty with Apollo! He is forever young - a tall, slender, golden-haired god; his penetrating, clear eyes see everything that happens on earth and what is destined to happen in the future. [None of the gods, as the Greeks thought, knew the future better than him, so the inhabitants of Hellas built many temples of Apollo with oracles - special places where anyone could receive a prediction. The most revered was the oracle in the sacred city of Apollo - Delphi. This is what they said about its foundation.]

Apollo and Python. When Apollo grew up and gained strength, he decided to take revenge on the snake Python for his mother. Having found him on the spurs of Mount Parnassus, the golden-eyed Apollo pelted him with his sparkling arrows. Fleeing from the formidable god, Python fled. Apollo pursued him to the most sacred Delphi, where Python tried to elude him into the sanctuary of Mother Earth. However, the formidable god entered there too and struck his enemy to death right at the edge of the sacred chasm. Of course, there was no need to kill the snake in the sanctuary - it was a religious crime, and it was necessary to cleanse oneself of its filth. Apollo underwent purification on the island of Crete, and then returned to Delphi. [To atone for Apollo’s guilt in desecrating the sanctuary, the Pythian Games were established here, in which all free Hellenes participated.] And in the temple, Apollo, having learned from Pan the art of predicting the future, founded an oracle.

Terpsichore. Roman
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Priestess Pythia.

He gave answers to the questioners here through the Pythia priestess. She sat on a special tripod over a crevice from which vapors rose, and inhaled them. Having entered a state of frenzy, she began to shout out fragmentary incoherent words, which were carefully recorded by the Delphic priests. Then a poetic answer was composed from these words and given to the questioner. In the entire history of the Delphic Oracle, not a single incorrect prediction is known! Of course, this is explained not so much by the prophetic gift of the Pythia as by the dexterity of the priests. All answers given to the question were designed in such a way that several opposing interpretations could be given. For example, the Lydian king Croesus, who asked whether he should start a war against the Persians, was told that by starting it he would destroy a great kingdom. At the same time, of course, it was not specified which kingdom was meant. If Croesus defeats the Persians, that means the prediction has come true; If the Persians defeat Croesus, it means that he misunderstood the prediction: he was promised that he would destroy the great kingdom, but not the Persian one, but his own.

Apollo and the Muses. Parnassus. The golden arrows of Apollo's quiver are like the sun's rays; radiance spreads wherever he appears. Therefore, they also call him Phoebus, that is, radiant, clear. He is a wonderful musician, enchanting everyone with the sounds of his cithara. That's why they call him Kifared. On earth, Apollo is the inspirer of the arts. He is always accompanied by the daughters of Zeus, the goddess-muses. There are nine of them, and each patronizes its own art or science. Melpomene - tragedies, Terpsichore - dancing, Clio - the science of history, Urania - astronomy, Erato - love songs, Polyhymnia - solemn poetry, Calliope - knowledge and poetry recounting heroic events, Euterpe - lyric poetry, Thalia - comedy. Since Apollo leads their choir, he received the name Musagetes ("Leader of the Muses"). The favorite place of Apollo and the muses is Mount Parnassus. On the slopes of this mountain flowed the famous Kastalsky spring - a source of inspiration for poets and, in general, all people who are involved in the musical arts.

Apollo is the destroyer and the healer. Apollo holds a bow in his hands, with arrows from which he strikes all his enemies. These arrows bring with them pestilence, epidemics, death to dozens of people, and therefore Apollo was called Apollo the Destroyer. But by sending diseases, Apollo can heal them, which is why he was called Apollo the Healer.

Asclepius. Roman
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Asclepius and his descendants. The son of Apollo was Asclepius, the most skillful of doctors, who healed any illnesses and wounds and even tried to disrupt the world order, intending to resurrect the dead. Of course, the gods could not allow this, and Zev incinerated Asclepius with his lightning. However, then, heeding Apollo’s pleas, the Thunderer resurrected the doctor and accepted him to Olympus. So Apollo's son Asclepius became the god of healing. The sons of Asclepius became skilled healers, and from them came the family of Asclepiad doctors on earth; his daughter Hygieia became the goddess - the giver of health [we still use her name in the word "hygiene"], and Panacea (Panacea) sent people healing from all pains. Apollo, the father of Asclepius and a healer of diseases, was called by many honorary nicknames, including Alexikakis (“Abominator of Evil”), Prostatus (“Intercessor”), Paean (“Resolver of Diseases,” “Helper in Trouble”).

Apollo is the patron saint of farmers and shepherds. Apollo is one of the most powerful gods, so when he enters the assembly of gods on Olympus, everyone stands before him respectfully and even with some fear. However, in addition to all the listed functions and epithets, Apollo had some others, not so high. The farmer also honored him, calling him Sminfey (“Mouse One”), since he protects grain from mice; the shepherds called him Apollo of Lyceum ("Wolf"), as he protects the flocks from wolves. So it turned out that under different names Most people in Greece considered Apollo their patron.

Apollo and Hyakinthos. Apollo is the most beautiful of the gods, but there are matters in which he is unlucky, and these are matters of love. More often than not, God's good attitude turned into a tragedy for the one who experienced it. Apollo's friend was the beautiful young man Hyakinthos, but the god of the west wind Zephyr (who himself wanted to be friends with the young man and therefore envied Apollo) made it so that Apollo accidentally hit him with a discus, in throwing which he competed with Hyakinthos, and killed him. From the blood of the young man arose a flower that immortalized his name in human memory - hyacinth.

Apollo playing
on the cithara

Apollo and Daphne. Apollo's love for the beautiful nymph Daphne also ended sadly. Aphrodite has a son - a cheerful, fast, playful, insidious boy, Eros. He flies on golden wings over the world, over lands and seas; in his hands he has a small golden bow. No one is protected from the arrows of the naughty Eros; they can even hit the thunderer Zeus. Without pain, arrows pierce into hearts, and the flame of love flares up in them. These arrows do not always bring joy and happiness; they often bring suffering, the torment of love, and even death. People suffer, and gods suffer too.

Once the golden-haired Apollo laughed at Eros’s small bow; the boy was offended and sent two arrows: one, exciting love, into the heart of Apollo, and the other, killing love, into the heart of the nymph Daphne.

Apollo met a beautiful nymph and fell in love with her. But as soon as Daphne saw the golden-haired god, she began to run with the speed of the wind. “Stop, beautiful nymph! - Apollo called to her. “Why are you running away from me, like a lamb pursued by a wolf?” After all, I am not your enemy! Look, you hurt your feet on the thorny grass. Don’t run so fast, because love makes me rush in your footsteps!” But Daphne ran faster and faster.

When her strength began to leave her and she realized that her loving god was about to overtake her, Daphne prayed to her father, the river god Peneus: “Help me, father! Take this image away from me - it only causes me suffering!” As soon as she said this, her body became numb, bark covered it, her hair turned into leaves, and her hands into branches. Daphne became a laurel. For a long time the saddened Apollo stood next to the tree, for a long time he heard the beating of Daphne’s heart under the tree bark, and finally he said: “Let your greenery never wither, oh laurel! Stay forever green! It happened as the great god said. And Apollo himself from then on wore a laurel wreath and decorated his lyre and quiver with arrows with laurel greens.

Apollo (Phoebus), son of Zeus, god of light and sun, guardian of life and order

Apollo (Phoebus), Greek - son of Zeus and the Titanide Leto, god of light and sun, guardian of life and order, formidable shooter and infallible soothsayer.

Apollo was born on the island of Delos, where his mother fled to escape from Python, a terrible serpent with the head of a dragon, who was pursuing her on the orders of Hera, the jealous wife of Zeus. Then Delos was a floating island, rushing along the stormy waves, but Leto had no other choice, since by the will of Hera she could not find refuge on solid land. But as soon as Leto entered Delos, a miracle happened: two rocks suddenly rose from the depths of the sea, blocking the further path of both the island and Piron. On Mount Kinthos, Leto gave birth to twins: a daughter, Artemis, and a son, Apollo.

When Apollo grew up, he took to the skies with his usual weapons - a golden kithara and a silver bow - and headed to the country where Python lived to take revenge for the persecution of his mother. He found him in a deep gorge under Mount Parnassus, showered him with arrows and killed him after a short fight. Apollo buried Python's body in the ground and, so that not even a memory would remain after him, he changed the former name of the country - Pytho - to Delphi. At the site of his victory, Apollo founded a sanctuary with an oracle to proclaim the will of Zeus in it.

Although Python was a hideous monster, his origin was after all divine, so Apollo had to be cleansed by killing him, otherwise he could not begin his divine functions. Therefore, by decision of Zeus, he went to Thessaly and served there for eight years as a simple shepherd. After being cleansed of the spilled blood, he returned to Delphi, but did not stay there forever. As winter approached, he rushed away in his chariot harnessed by snow-white swans to the land of the Hyperboreans, where eternal spring reigns. Since then, Apollo invariably spent spring and summer in Delphi, and autumn and winter in the land of the blessed Hyperboreans, or visited the gods on high Olympus.

The appearance of Apollo on Olympus always brought joy and good mood. He was accompanied by the muses - goddesses of art, who recognized him as their leader (Musaget). None of the gods could surpass him in playing the cithara (lyre); At the sound of his singing, even the god of war, Ares, fell silent. He was the favorite of Zeus (just like his sister Artemis), and this often aroused the jealousy of the other gods. People revered him for many reasons. After all, he was the god of light and sun, without which life is impossible, as well as the creator of harmony and beauty, without which life is worth little. He kept people in wars and dangers, healed them from illnesses, took care of the world order established by Zeus, loved and rewarded good and punished evil. The golden arrows of his bow never missed, as did the punishing arrows that brought with them pestilence. His prophecies were infallible. True, they never came from him himself; he only communicated the will of Zeus to people through soothsayers: the Delphic Pythia, Sibyls and other oracles. (If the prophecies did not come true, and this also happened, then, of course, the people who misinterpreted them were to blame.)

In the world of gods and heroes, Apollo played an important role and himself became the hero of numerous myths. For example, there is a story about his musical competition with the satyr Marsyas, who literally paid for the defeat with his own skin (see also the articles “Pan”, “Midas”, “Hyakinthos”, “Niobe”, etc.). In the Trojan War, Apollo fought on the side of the defenders of Troy.

Like all gods, Apollo had many lovers. And yet, despite his origins and beauty, he was not always successful with women. His first love, the nymph Daphne, chose to turn into a laurel tree right before his eyes in order to escape from him; and even two mortal women, Cassandra and Marpessa, rejected his advances. Of his descendants, the most famous were Orpheus, Asclepius and Aristaeus; according to some myths, his sons were also Lin and Hymen.

Apollo was one of the oldest Greek gods; most likely, his cult came to Greece from Asia Minor; some myths directly name the Ortygia grove near Ephesus as his birthplace. According to the Czech orientalist B. the Terrible, his Asia Minor predecessor was the Hittite god of doors (gates) Apulun. Initially, Apollo was the guardian god of the herds, then the cities of the Greek colonists, and eventually became the god of light and the sun (and his sister Artemis - the goddess of the hunt, nature and the moon) and also had a number of other functions. Some of them were quite far from its original purpose. For example, since Apollo allegedly sailed from Crete to Delphi on a dolphin, he became the patron saint of sea travel. In poetry he is called the Bow-Bearer, the Silver-Bowed, the Clairvoyant, the Far-Sighted, the Light-Born, or most often the Shining One (Phoebus). The Romans accepted his cult without changes, and, it seems, even earlier it was adopted from the Greeks by the Etruscans. In honor of Apollo, festivals were held in Delphi in the spring and autumn, and every four years the Pythian Games were held (since 582 BC, not only athletes, but also poets and musicians competed; in their significance, the Pythian Games were second only to the Olympic Games). Similar celebrations, although differing in program, also took place in Delos, Miletus and other places. In Rome, games dedicated to Apollo were celebrated from 212 BC. e. In memory of his victory at Actium in 31 BC. e. Augustus founded the Actium Games dedicated to Apollo.

The most famous monuments of ancient architecture and sculpture are associated with the name of Apollo. The oldest temple of Apollo in Greece, partially preserved to this day, is located in Corinth (mid-6th century BC). And today you can see 7 monolithic Dorian columns of this temple from the original 38. The architect of the Temple of Apollo at Bassae in Arcadia, which is best preserved, was the co-author of the Athenian Parthenon Ictinus. Of the other temples dedicated to Apollo and which, as a rule, had oracles, the Delphic one should be mentioned first of all. The first building (7th century BC) burned down, the second (late 6th century BC) was destroyed by an earthquake; Few and yet majestic remains of the third structure (circa 330 BC) have survived to this day. It is surpassed in scale by the temple at Didyma near Miletus, built in the 6th century. BC e. and destroyed in 494 BC. e. by the Persians and then restored. The temple of Apollo on Delos played an important role, in which in 478-454. the common treasury of the Greek states, united in the so-called Delian League (amphiktyony), was kept. Magnificent temples were dedicated to Apollo in Syracuse and Selinunte in Sicily (6th and 5th centuries BC), in Asia Minor Alabanda and Hierapolis, in Claros near Colophon, in Roda, in Cumae near Naples and other places; in Argos, Apollo had a common temple with Athena. He was in Rome already at the end of the 5th century. BC e. a temple was built outside the Carmenta Gate, another one was built on the Palatine by Augustus after 31 BC. e.

Of the ancient sculptural images of Apollo, the most famous are “Apollo Belvedere” (“a model of male beauty”) - a Roman copy of the Greek bronze sculpture of Leochares (2nd half of the 4th century BC), “Apollo Musagetes” - a Roman copy of the original by Scopas (mid 4th century BC), “Apollo Saurocton” (killing a lizard) - a copy of the work of Praxiteles (2nd half of the 4th century BC) and “Apollo Cyfared” (“Apollo with a cithara ") - a Roman copy of the Greek original (3rd century BC). All these statues are in Vatican Museums, antique copies of these and other statues are available in the National Museums in Rome and Naples, as well as in the Louvre in Paris. Among the best images of Apollo, preserved in the Greek original, are “Apollo” from the western pediment of the Temple of Zeus in Olympia (460-450 BC, Olympia, museum) and the marble “Apollo” - a copy of the statue of Kalamis (c. 450 BC), found in the Theater of Dionysus under the Acropolis (Athens, National Archaeological Museum). The Etruscan statues of Apollo are of approximately the same age, for example, “Apollo” from the pediment of the temple in Veii (late 6th century BC, Villa Giulia Museum). Until recently, the name of Apollo was given to archaic statues of young men in a frozen pose (kouros) - mostly erroneously. As for the images of Apollo on reliefs, vases, etc., even the most detailed catalog cannot cover them.

Sculptors and artists of modern times depicted Apollo no less often than ancient ones. Among the sculptures we will name the bronze “Apollo” by Giambologna (1573-1575, Florence, Palazzo Vecchio), “Apollo and Daphne” by L. Bernini (1624, Rome, Galleria Borghese), “Apollo and the Nymphs” by F. Girardon (1666, Versailles, Palace park), “Apollo with Python” by O. Rodin (1900, Paris, Rodin Museum). In painting - “Apollo and Diana” by L. Cranach the Elder (early 16th century, Munich, Pinakothek), “Apollo and the Muses” by Tintoretto (c. 1580, Venice Academy), “Apollo and Daphne” by P. Veronese (2- half of the 16th century, New York, Metropolitan Museum of Art) and the painting of the same name by N. Poussin (1664, Paris, Louvre).

In Prague museums, palaces and others architectural monuments Images of Apollo are not uncommon, especially in frescoes. The oldest of them is the relief of Apollo M. del Piombo and Campione (1555-1560) in the Prague Belvedere (summer palace) “Star”.

Of the poetic works, the first place, at least in time, is occupied by the “Hymn to Apollo,” attributed to Homer (possibly 7th century BC). He wrote the hymn of the same name in the 3rd century. BC e. Callimachus. In Pushkin’s poem “The Poet” (1827): “Until Apollo demands a poet / To the sacred sacrifice...” - poetry is implied.

It is impossible not to mention musical works dedicated to Cyfared and Musaget: two “Hymns to Apollo” of the 1st or 2nd century. n. e., the melody of which was recorded with the first symbols known to us, which can roughly be called notes. And if we talk about modernity, then in our century I. Stravinsky wrote the ballet “Apollo Musagete” (1928).

The ancient Greeks named several of their cities by the name “Apollo”, one of them is located in present-day Albania and today is called Poyani, the other is located in Bulgaria and is called Sozopol.

Nowadays, the name “Apollo” has been revived in a different, not at all mythical, context. This was the name of the American space program, during which, on July 21, 1969, man first set foot on the surface of the Moon.

Was he rejected? Guardian of light, sciences and arts, god-healer, patron of muses, travelers and sailors, predictor of the future served as an ordinary shepherd... and defeated the titans.

Apollo, Phoebus (“radiant”) - in Greek mythology, the golden-haired, silver-bowed god is the guardian of herds, light (sunlight was symbolized by his golden arrows), sciences and arts, a healer god, leader and patron of the muses (for which he was called Musaget), roads, travelers and sailors, a predictor of the future, and Apollo also cleansed people who committed murder. He personified the Sun (and his twin sister Artemis - the Moon).

Apollo was an excellent musician; he received the cithara from Hermes in exchange for his own cows. God was the patron of singers, was the leader of the muses, and severely punished those who tried to compete with him. Once Apollo defeated the satyr Marsyas in a musical competition. But after the competition, Apollo, enraged by the slander and insolence of Marsyas, flayed the unfortunate man alive. He struck with his arrows the giant Tityus, who was trying to insult Leto, and the Cyclopes, who were forging lightning for Zeus; He also took part in the battles of the Olympians with giants and titans.

The cult of Apollo was widespread in Greece, and the Delphic temple with the oracle was considered the main center of his veneration. In ancient times, magnificent festivities and competitions were held in Delphi, not much inferior to the glorious Olympic Games. In the spring and summer he lived in Delphi, in the fall he flew away in his chariot drawn by snow-white swans to Hyperborea, where the goddess Summer was born. At the Olympic Games, Apollo defeated Hermes in a race, and defeated Ares in a fist fight. Apollo sang on the lyre at the wedding of Peleus and Thetis. Transformed into a hawk and a lion. Along with destructive actions, Apollo also has healing actions; he is a doctor and healer, a protector from evil and disease, who stopped the plague during the Peloponnesian War. He was the first to heal eyes.

In later times, Apollo was identified with the sun in all the fullness of its healing and destructive functions. The epithet Apollo - Phoebus - indicates purity, brilliance, prophecy. The combination in the image of Apollo of rational clarity and dark elemental forces is confirmed by the closest connections between Apollo and Dionysius, although these are antagonistic deities: one is primarily the god of the light principle, the other of dark and blind ecstasy; but after the 7th century. BC. the images of these gods began to come closer together - in Delphi, they both had orgies on Parnassus, Apollo himself was often revered as Dionysius and wore the distinctive sign of Dionysius - ivy. Participants in the festival in honor of Apollo decorated themselves with ivy (as at the Dionysus festivals).

In honor of Apollo himself, the first temple in Greece was built according to the design of Apollo himself: wonderful bees brought a sample molded from wax and it hovered in the air for a long time until people understood the plan: the main beauty was to be created by slender columns with beautiful capitals in the Corinthian style. Thousands of people from all over ancient Greece flocked to Delphi, the foothills of Mount Parnassus, home of Apollo and the Muses, to ask the god about their future and the future of the city-states located in Hellas. The priestess, the Pythia, as she was called by the name of the snake Python, whose remains were smoldering in the gorge, entered the inner part of the temple of Apollo, she sat on a tripod and fell into oblivion from gas vapors that escaped from the crevice of the rock located under the temple.

Artemis was in love with Orion. One day he was swimming in the sea, and the jealous Apollo pointed to a “point” far in the waves and said that his sister would not hit it with an arrow. Artemis fired, and when she realized what she had done, it was too late. She mourned her lover and took him to heaven, making him a constellation.

The priest approached the gate, behind which there was a Pythia, and conveyed the question of the next pilgrim. The words barely reached her consciousness. She answered in abrupt, incoherent phrases. The priest listened to them, wrote them down, giving them coherence, and announced them to the questioner. In addition to the oracle, the Greeks were attracted to bright and joyful services to God. A huge number of hymns were composed and performed by kifareds (playing the cithara) and choirs of boys and young men. A beautiful laurel grove grew around the temple, which was liked by pilgrims. Apollo and those Greeks who won in singing anthems and in the Olympic Games were decorated with a laurel wreath, because the beautiful Daphne, whom Apollo fell in love with, turned into a laurel.

He was also glorified by his own famous children: Asclepius - with the art of healing and Orpheus - with wonderful singing. On the island of Delos, the birthplace of Apollo, festivals were held once every four years, in which representatives of all the cities of Hellas participated. Wars and executions were not permitted during these festivities. Apollo was honored not only by the Greeks, but also by the Romans. A temple named after him was built in Rome and gymnastic and artistic competitions were established, centuries-old games held in Rome once every 100 years, which lasted 3 days and 3 nights.

The god Apollo is one of the most controversial creatures of the ancient Greek pantheon. The god of beauty, whom women fear for some reason. Patron of healing, sent...

From Masterweb

24.05.2018 02:00

Pantheon Ancient Greece consisted of a huge number supernatural creatures, one way or another influencing the fate of man, and the twelve Olympians were especially revered, including the patron of sciences and arts - the god Apollo.

Origin

According to ancient Greek myths, Apollo's parents were the Thunderer himself and the ruler Olympus Zeus and Titanide Leto. Along with his sister Artemis, Apollo was born on the secluded island of Asteria, floating in the ocean. The reason for this was the jealousy of Hera, the legal wife of Zeus. Having learned about her husband’s next betrayal, the goddess forbade Leto to touch solid ground with her feet and even sent a monster named Python to her.

The birth of Apollo and Artemis was a real miracle: the entire island was illuminated with light. In memory of this, Astraea was renamed Delos (in Greek diloo means "I manifest"). This place immediately became sacred, like the palm tree under which he was born future god sun. Apollo grew very quickly and from childhood had remarkable strength. So, while still a child, he killed Python, who had haunted his mother for so long.

Delphic Oracle

Apollo is known as the patron of soothsayers. At the place where, according to legend, Python was killed, the Delphic Oracle arose - one of the most revered sanctuaries of Ancient Greece. Many people turned to Apollo and the keeper of the oracle, the Pythia, for advice. famous people antiquities. Especially famous is the prediction of the god Apollo, told by Herodotus, about King Croesus. He, fearing the growing power of the Persians, sent an envoy to the Pythia, who asked whether it was worth going to war against such a rival. Apollo, through the Pythia, replied that if Croesus entered into battle with the Persians, he would destroy the great kingdom. Encouraged, the king immediately attacked his enemies and suffered a crushing defeat. When he, indignant, sent an ambassador again demanding an explanation, the Pythia replied that Croesus had misinterpreted the prophecy. Apollo meant that it was the kingdom of Croesus that would be destroyed.

In addition to the Delphic Oracle, under the patronage of Apollo there were sanctuaries in various cities of Italy and Asia Minor, for example, in Cumae, Claros and Colofna. Some of Apollo's children inherited their father's prophetic gift. The most famous and revered among them was the Sibyl.

Apollo and Cassandra

Like his father, Apollo was distinguished by his love of love. Among his lovers were not only goddesses, but also mortal women, as well as some young men. It is surprising that although Apollo is the god of beauty, he was often rejected by women. This, for example, happened when he fell in love with Cassandra, the daughter of the Trojan king Priam. Wanting to charm the girl, he endowed her with the gift of prediction. However, not having met reciprocity, God severely punished her, commanding that all of Cassandra’s predictions be true, but no one would believe them. And so it happened. Several times Cassandra foretold the death of Troy, but everyone remained deaf to her prophecies.

Trojan War

But such punishment for Cassandra was rather an exception to the rule. During the Trojan War, when all the gods were divided into two camps, Apollo, along with his sister Artemis, sided with the Trojans. Moreover, his role was significant. It was he who guided Hector's hand when he killed Paris, and it was he who helped Paris hit the heel - the only weak spot - of Achilles. With his arrows he once sent a plague to the Greek camp. The reason for such sympathy for the Trojans may be vague memories of the origin of this ancient god. Apollo is believed to have first begun to be revered in Asia Minor.

Dark side

According to myths, perhaps the main activity of the gods is fun. Apollo was considered one of their most sophisticated organizers. However, even this seemingly harmless deity has a dark side.

Apollo was considered the patron of the sciences and arts, especially music. The lyre is one of his attributes. But there is a curious myth according to which one of the satyrs (creatures whose upper body is human and the lower part of the body is goat) named Marsyas achieved such perfection in playing the flute that he dared to challenge Apollo to a musical duel. God accepted the challenge. His performance on the lyre delighted all the judges so much that they unanimously gave him the victory. However, this was not enough for the vengeful god. He ordered the unfortunate satyr to be caught and flayed alive.

Another unsightly act of Apollo was caused by such a noble feeling as sons' love. One woman named Niobe was extremely fertile and gave birth to 50 children. Proud of herself, she decided to mock Leto, reproaching her for being able to give birth to only a son and a daughter. Apollo and Artemis decided to stand up for their mother in a unique way. Armed with bows and arrows, they shot all of Niobe's children. The mother turned to stone out of grief.

It is assumed that cruelty was the main component of the image of Apollo in the archaic period. Evidence has been preserved according to which this god was remembered in those days as a demon of murder, death and destruction. Human sacrifices were even made in honor of Apollo.

Apollo as protector

Complexity Greek mythology often manifests itself in the fact that the same god is both the source of troubles and the pacifier and intercessor. This versatility is especially noticeable in the classical period. As follows from his nicknames (Alexikakos, Akesius, Prostatus, Epicurius, Apotropaeus, translated as “abominator of evil,” “healer,” “intercessor,” “trustee,” “abominer,” respectively), people in difficult situations could count on the support of the sun god .

From the nymph Coronis, Apollo had a son named Asclepius. He inherited the gift of healing from his father. And although Asclepius acted as an independent god, the thought always remained in the minds of the ancient Greek that this was happening by the grace of Apollo.

This change in image also required correction of ancient legends. The Greeks accepted that Apollo killed Python, even if it was for good reasons. But such deeds were no longer associated with the radiant god of the sun and beauty. This is where the disagreement in the history of the Delphic Oracle comes from. According to some legends, it really arose at the site of the death of Python, while others claim that the sanctuary existed before, and Apollo came there to receive cleansing from the murder. When such a service was provided to him, God took the oracle under his protection.

Apollo in service

Obviously, the most ancient features of the image of Apollo were not eradicated immediately and with difficulty. At least his willfulness remained unchanged. Zeus, wanting to humble his disobedient son or punish him for another trick, often deprived Apollo of his divine power and, like a mere mortal, he sent to serve some earthly king. Apollo obeyed, but in such cases he preferred to hire himself as a shepherd.

Once he found himself at the court of the king of the already mentioned Troy, Laomedon. He dutifully served for the agreed period, and at the end of it he demanded payment of his salary. Laomedont, not suspecting who he was dealing with, drove the shepherd out and promised him after him that if he did not lag behind, then he, the king of Troy, would order his ears to be cut off and sell him into slavery. Zeus turned out to be fairer than Laomedon, and returned all his strength to Apollo, who had served his sentence. The vengeful god did not hesitate to settle accounts with the Trojan king: he sent a plague epidemic to Troy.

In another case, Apollo was more fortunate. When he hired himself as a shepherd to Admit, the king of Thessaly, he, being a quick-witted man, realized that the young man standing in front of him was too beautiful to be a mere mortal. Admit gave up his throne to the would-be shepherd. Apollo refused, explaining his situation. Upon returning to Olympus, God did not forget to repay the Thessalian king with good for good. His state became the richest, and farmers harvested crops twice a year.

Attributes of Apollo

Among the many surviving greek statues Apollo can be recognized by several items that he always carries with him. In particular, this was a laurel wreath. According to legend, Apollo fell in love with the nymph Daphne, but for some reason she disliked him so much that she chose to turn into a laurel tree.

Other frequent attributes of the ancient Greek god Apollo are a bow and arrows, which send not only plague, but also bestow the light of knowledge, as well as a lyre and a chariot. In addition, the palm tree under which he was born, a swan, a wolf and a dolphin were associated with the cult of this god.

Appearance

The animals listed are clearly relics of the totemic beliefs of the ancient Greeks. In the archaic period, Apollo could be depicted as one of these creatures. With the final design of the Olympic pantheon, the attractive appearance Apollo. The gods of Greece were bearers of certain ideal traits that every mortal should strive for, and Apollo is no exception in this regard. He appeared to be a handsome beardless young man with lush golden curls and a courageous figure.

Among other deities

If you follow the myths, Apollo showed vindictiveness and malice only towards mortals or lower spirits like the satyr Marsyas. In his relationships with other Olympians, he appears as a calm and reasonable deity. Having killed many heroes in the Trojan War, Apollo categorically refuses to fight with other Greek gods.

Apollo did not show his usual vindictiveness when Hermes decided to play a trick on him. When Apollo worked as a shepherd for yet another offense, Hermes managed to steal a whole herd from him by deception. The sun god managed to find the loss, but Hermes charmed him so much with his playing of the lyre that Apollo left the animals to him in exchange for this instrument.

Veneration of Apollo

Regular Pythian games were held in the Delphic oracle, which became the center of worship of Apollo. Participants competed in strength, agility and endurance. However, the main temple to the glory of the sun god was still located on Delos - the place of his birth. To this day from huge temple Only minor remains have survived, but even those, such as the Terrace of the Lions, amaze the imagination. The ruins of a monumental sanctuary in Corinth have also been preserved, which even the Romans could not completely destroy.

A special temple to Apollo was erected in the Peloponnese. It is designed in such a way that it rotates with the Earth around its axis in the rhythm and direction of the North Star. Thanks to this, the sanctuary can be used as a compass, since it is oriented exactly from north to south.

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Continuing the theme of ancient Greek mythology, our today's character is the golden-haired god Apollo. The huge number of myths that existed about Apollo and the short format of the blog are unlikely to allow us to delve deeply into his varied personality, so we will try to give as general an overview as possible.

Responsibilities:

IN Ancient Greek mythology Apollo's range of responsibilities is very wide. He is the god of light, guardian of herds, patron of sciences and arts, god-healer, leader and patron of the muses. His responsibilities also included predicting the future, purifying people who committed murder, and protecting roads, travelers and sailors.

Appearance:

Young man with curly golden hair

Symbols and Attributes:

The sun itself, a lyre, a bow with golden arrows and a chariot on which he travels across the sky

Strength: Inventive and attractive, skilled in many arts

Weaknesses: Like his father Zeus, Apollo is susceptible to feminine beauty, both mortal women and goddesses. However, unlike his more successful father, he also experienced numerous defeats in the love field.

Parents:

Supreme god Zeus and the goddess Latona. Grandson of the titans Kay and Phoebe. Apollo also had a twin sister, Artemis.

Place of Birth:

The most common version is that the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis was the island of Delos, but there are sources that name another place - an island currently called Paximadya - not far from the coast of Crete.

Wife:

Despite a fairly long trail of relationships and children, Apollo was never married. Of his most famous lovers, it is worth noting Cassandra, whom he gifted with the gift of divination, Daphne - ultimately turned into a Laurel tree, and Calliope, who bore him a son, Orpheus.

Children:

Apollo had a very numerous offspring, but the most famous of his children are the singer and musician Orpheus, as well as the god of medicine and healing Asclepius

Main temples:

The most famous sanctuary of Apollo, and also the main oracle of ancient Greece, was located in. In addition to this significant place of worship, dedicated to God, was considered a sanctuary on Delos. In the Temple of Apollo on the island for a long time the treasury of the Delian League, directed against the Persians, was kept. Currently, the sanctuary in Delphi, the Temples in Bassae (in the Peloponnese) and Corinth are quite well preserved

Main myths:

Zeus's wife Hera, angry at Lethe for her relationship with Zeus, forbade her to set foot on solid ground. However, Lethe found refuge on the island of Delos, where Apollo and Artemis, the goddess of the hunt and wild nature, were born. Themis helped raise young Apollo, feeding the god with nectar and ambrosia. Apollo received his arrows as a gift from Hephaestus. God also took an active part in the battle of the Gods with the Titans. In the Trojan War he helped the opponents of the Achaeans. According to legend, the impregnable walls of Troy were built by him and Poseidon.