Apollo is known as one of the most important and revered gods of Ancient Greece. Apollo is called as the god of music, prophecy, sun, plague and also has two other names which are Phoebus and Apollon (Greek Mythology). The Greek God Zeus, and Goddess Leto were the parents of Apollo, and Artemis was his twin sister (Greek Mythology). When Apollo was young, “he slayed a giant snake called Python, and killed him with a silver bow and arrows (Britannica).” A influential symbol which Apollo is known for is a lyre, an instrument with strings, which was given to him in exchange for cow by the god Hermes (Greek Mythology). Apollo is thought to be of one of the most influential gods of Ancient Greek because of his multiple roles, and because of his “divine birth” (Greek Mythology). Apollo is considered by many people to be a special god as he is the son of Zeus. He was born on the island of Delos, after Hera, Zeus’ wife, forbid Leto, the mother of Apollo from staying on Earth (Greek Mythology). Leto seeked refuge on Delos, and along with the inhabitants of the island and Artemis, his twin sister, Apollo was born. In one account of …show more content…
The symbol given to us from the story of the Iliad is the silver bow and arrow as he helped guide the arrow of Paris to hit Achilles’ heel. Another reason why the silver bow and arrow is a symbol of Apollo is because he killed Python a snake/dragon with one (Britannica). When Apollo became a muscular man he was to slay Python and did so with a bow and arrow. Apollo is also called the god of prophecy because of this story. At a site called Delphi, near where Python was killed, there was a Temple of Apollo, in which priests would give oracles from Apollo (Britannica). Another influential symbol which Apollo is known for is a lyre, an instrument with strings, which was given to him in exchange for cow by the god Hermes (Greek
But such was the rivalry between Apollo and Hermes that they demanded Stradivari make only one violin and give it to only one of them; neither god would dare own a violin lest it be one-of-a-kind and of the utmost quality. Though Apollo was the god of music and felt he deserved such an illustrious instrument, Hermes sought revenge for Apollo's lyre, which he felt should be rightfully his. Stradivari, unable to choose which god to bestow his craft and knowing that such a choice would only end badly for himself, sent the gods for the rarest materials so that he may craft the most unique, beautiful violin he could ever make. Yet every time the gods would locate and deliver his materials, he would send them right off again for an even rarer alloy or wood, always remarking that he could not fulfill their order unless they consented to his demands.
“The birth of Apollo and Artemis’ was on the floating island of Delos. The myth is told when Leto was pregnant with the two twins Hera, (The Goddess of all gods, Zeus’ wife), was jealous of Leto so wherever Leto went Hera was close to follow to ensure the babies would not be born, until Leto had found the floating island of Delos which served as a refuge and the birth place for Apollo and Artemis.” (3)
Mythology was critical to Greek people’s everyday life, just like how religion is in our modern day in age. Everyday events, such as a thunderstorm, could be linked to a god or goddess. For example, when an earthquake would happen, it would be Poseidon crashing his tritan on the ground. People’s lives revolved around the whole ideology and it served as a way to explain the unexplained and to help them in times of need. All of the stories of these great gods and goddesses were passed down generation through generation each time getting more extreme and distorted. People idolized these beings and built stunning life like sculptures of them. Zeus was the most important of all the Greek gods and also king of Mount Olympus. He became a king after
Dionysus, son of Zues and Semele and Apollo, son of Zues and Leto, both were born under strange conditions. Dionysus was born from the thigh of Zues after being fully grown, and Apollo's mother, Leto, was in labor for nine days with him because Hera did not want him to be born and would not give Leto a safe place for the child to be delivered. Both these Gods have the need for power and a very creative drive. They spent their youth recruiting new worshipers for their respective cults in which they started, each cult showing their divinity. They are both associated with the phenomenon of ecstasy, meaning to stand outside oneself. In one such case, Apollo's priestess Pythia was overcome by his spirit and began speaking in tongues. Also when possessed by Dionysus, his followers similarly changed there normal actions, breaking into wild dances and "experienced a rapturous sense of union with their God." This shows how they made contact with humans, but in very different ways.
thought and a good intellect. As for Greek thought, he was also very in control
The bow is a symbol of kingship and strength. Whoever strings it is worthy of King Odysseus and can rightfully take the throne. Physical strength was an important quality to the ancient Greeks, not only in warfare, but because psychologically it was tied to political strength and the iron will needed to govern a people who were given to argument and debate.
Artemis was born of Leto and Zeus, on the island of Delos, later helping with the delivery of her twin brother, Apollo. Some sources state that her actual birthplace is not Delos, but an island called Ortygia. Although the two islands could be one and the same, it is not clear. In helping with the birth of her brother Artemis fulfilled her role as a goddess of childbirth (which she shares with Eileithyia and Hera). She is the goddess of chastity, the hunt and the moon, too. But I'll get more into those later.
The Role Of Zeus in Homer's Iliad. & nbsp; In the era of Homer, divine intervention was thought to be typical, and one of his. foremost works, The Iliad, reflects this. Nearly all of the Greek gods are involved in the outcome of the Trojan War, which happens to be the background story of this epic poem.
Hermes (Latin name Mercury) is the messenger of the gods. He is the fastest of all the gods and goddesses. He is the son of Zeus and Maia. He is a guide who knew the way to the underworld. So he would show the dead souls the way to the underworld. Hermes is also known as the patron of traders, merchants, thieves and everyone who lived by their wits.
Not only did the Greeks fear and respect the mythological gods and goddesses that they created, but they also related to the stories and characteristics of each god. The Greeks primarily used Mythology to better understand the world around them, but a few of the stories were purely for entertainment. Those who disliked the irrational, but loved facts created mythology. These mythologies consisted of the gods and goddesses encountering struggles, love, pain, and almost any human interaction. The Ancient Greeks applied the stories to overcome similar struggles in their own lives. Although the Greeks respected these mythological deities, they did not view the gods as religious figures. Almost every god or goddess had a mythology that featured
In ancient Greece and Rome, each of the gods was associated with specific objects. Zeus (Jupiter), the father of the gods, was often accompanied by an eagle or a thunderbolt; Apollo, the god of art, by a lyre; Artemis (Diana), the hunter, by a bow and quiver. In addition, the Romans perfected the use of secular allegorical symbols. For example, a woman surrounded by bunches of grapes and sheaves of wheat would be readily understood as a representation of the bounties of the earth.
He was always depicted carrying, or using, his distinguishing weapon, the trident, a three-pronged spear which he used to shatter and shake anything he pleased, much like his brother Zeus used his thunderbolts. That's why he was commonly referred to as the "Earth Shaker". The trident, his symbol, was the gift of the Cyclopes, who had fought with the Olympians versus the Titans.
Apollo is one of the most widely renowned Greek god in ancient history, and one of the few gods to have both the same Greek and Roman name (Apollo). An online article, “Apollo,” said that he started out as the god of herdsmen, and “Apollo's identification as god of music, archery, and medicine came after his oracle was established at Delphi” ( “Apollo”). The article on GaleNet also mentioned that much later, he was commemorated as the god of the sun. Apollo is known for his powers in prophesying and his musical abilities with the lyre, a type of harp. He is also acknowledged as an athlete, particularly an archer, and a healer. He is said to have been the god to teach mortals the art of medicine. Apollo is an amazing character in Greek mythology,
Boom! Pop! The sound of children fighting in the war game at Camp Half- Blood, as Clarisse came closer I held up my bow and arrow and shot.My attention grabber is telling you that I am a undetermined demi-god and I have no idea who my father is.I am the daughter of Apollo because I am very good at archery,I can heal myself and other people,and I love the sound of music.
There were also Gods who favored the Trojan side of the conflict. Both Apollo and Artemis, twin brother and sister, gave aid to the city of Troy. Although Artemis takes a rather minor role, Apollo, perhaps angered by Agamemmnon's refusal to ransom Khryseis, the daughter of one of his priests, and was constantly changing the course of the war in favor of the Trojans. Responsible for sending plague to the Greeks, Apollo was the first god to make an appearance in the Iliad. Also, mainly because Apollo and Artemis were on the Trojan side, their mother, Leto, also helped the Trojans.