Apollo

Parentage: Apollo is the son of Zeus, the king of the gods, and Leto, a Titaness. His twin sister is Artemis, the goddess of the hunt.

Birth and Delos: Leto faced challenges during her pregnancy due to the jealousy of Hera. Delos, a floating island, provided a refuge for Leto to give birth to Apollo and Artemis. Apollo's birth is associated with light and radiance.

Attributes and Symbols: Apollo is often depicted as a handsome and youthful god with a lyre, a musical instrument. His symbols include the laurel wreath, the sun, the bow and arrow, and the Python, a serpent he slayed.

God of Music and Poetry: Apollo is a patron of the arts, particularly music and poetry. He is credited with inventing the lyre and is associated with inspiring poets and musicians. The Muses are often depicted as his companions.

Oracle at Delphi: Apollo is closely linked to the Oracle of Delphi, one of the most famous oracles in ancient Greece. The priestess, known as the Pythia, would deliver prophecies inspired by Apollo.

Archery and the Python: Apollo is a skilled archer, and he famously slew the serpent Python, a creature that guarded the Oracle of Delphi. This event marked the establishment of Apollo's sanctuary at Delphi.

God of Healing: Apollo is associated with healing, and his son Asclepius became the god of medicine. Apollo's sanctuary at Delos had a famous healing temple, and he was invoked for the prevention and cure of diseases.

Solar Symbolism: Apollo is often associated with the sun, and he is sometimes called Phoebus Apollo ("shining" or "radiant"). His daily journey across the sky in a chariot represents the sun's movement.

Myth of Daphne: One of Apollo's myths involves his pursuit of the nymph Daphne. To escape Apollo's advances, Daphne was transformed into a laurel tree, and Apollo adopted the laurel as his sacred tree.

Mortal Offspring: Apollo had numerous mortal offspring, including Orpheus, the famed musician and poet, and Asclepius, the god of healing.

Role in the Iliad: Apollo is a significant figure in Homer's "Iliad." He supports the Trojans in the Trojan War and is responsible for guiding Paris's arrow that kills Achilles.

Cultural Impact: Apollo's influence extends into art, literature, and philosophy. He is regarded as a symbol of artistic inspiration, intellectual pursuits, and enlightenment.

Roman Equivalent: In Roman mythology, Apollo is identified with Phoebus Apollo, often simply referred to as Apollo.

Apollo's diverse roles as a god of music, prophecy, healing, and the sun showcase the breadth of attributes found within the Greek pantheon. His connection to both the divine and mortal realms emphasizes the interconnectedness of various aspects of Greek culture and belief systems.