Apollo

Apollo- The God of the Sun

Apollo, Greek god of the Sun. He became his father's favorite son at the age of 4 days, showing an incredible talent for archery, Apollo killed the gigantic serpent named Python (in some myths she was a dragon) who had been harassing his mother.

The Greek god Apollo and his twin sister Artemis were born to Leto. The birth of the twins was not an easy one, for their poor mother Leto had been pursued throughout her pregnancy by a gigantic serpent named Python and had never been allowed a moment’s rest. Going into labor, she finally found a safe, secluded spot where she could deliver. But after the birth of the first twin, Artemis, was born, Leto was too exhausted to continue. Artemis, born just minutes earlier, had to take control of the situation and become Leto’s midwife, helping her mother safely deliver the infant Apollo. Zeus welcomed the twins by giving them both silver bows and arrows, promising Artemis she would never have to marry unless she wanted to, and giving Apollo a magnificent golden chariot that was pulled by swans.

Apollo had to make his father proud of him. Following his dramatic debut with the Python, he went on to become, not only an unerring archer, but the best musician (playing a lyre given to him by his half-brother Hermes), poet, philosopher, law maker and creator of legal institutions, a masterful physician, the god of prophecy, and a great scholar who always spoke the truth.


 * = Apollo ||
 * = [[image:http://z.about.com/d/ancienthistory/1/0/7/7/2/ApolloMusagetes.jpg width="240" height="412"]] ||
 * = **The Sun god, brings life-giving heat and light to Earth.** ||
 * ~ Parents || Zeus and Leto ||
 * ~ Siblings || Artemis ||
 * ~ Children || Asclepius, Troilus, Aristaeus ||
 * ~ Roman equivalent || Apollo ||
 * ~ Primary polis || Delphi ||