The myth of Apollo
The myth of Apollo was one of the most important of antiquity. It talks about an artist god and, at the same time, a relentless warrior.
The myth of Apollo talks about the most revered god in Greek antiquity, after Zeus. So important was it that his cult survived covertly into the Middle Ages. In fact, today he is known to have 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 the regency over beauty, harmony, balance, perfection. He was the initiator of maturity in the young, protector of shepherds, sailors and archers, as well as the highest lord of the bow and arrow. Also god of music and poetry, chief of the muses and patron of the Oracle of Delphi.
The myth of Apollo indicates that this god was the son of Zeus, the highest authority on Olympus, and Leto, a Titaness. At first, Zeus took an interest in Leto's sister, named Asteria, and tried to take her by force. She, frightened, turned into a quail to escape his siege. As he continued to harass her, he threw himself into the sea and became the island of Ortygia.
Afterward, the highest god of Olympus fixed his eyes on Leto, who reciprocated. She became pregnant, but Hera, legitimate wife of Zeus, found out about the adventure and began a fierce persecution against Leto. The betrayed asked her daughter LlitÃa, goddess of childbirth, to prevent the birth. So 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 to grow up quickly so that she could help the mother with the birth of her brother, Apollo. It happened like that. Artemis was so impressed by her mother's suffering that she decided to remain a virgin forever.
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, made Apollo grow in just four days and killed the monster.
Apollo destroyed Python, the sacred serpent, with a thousand arrows. As it was a divine animal, he had to do penance for killing it and where the monster fell, the Oracle of Delphi was built. Apollo became the patron of this place, to later whisper predictions in the ear of the Pythias or fortune tellers.
