Apollo,+favorite+son+of+almighty+Zeus

By: Tara Apollo, Helios, god of Light, the archer, god of the sun. All the same god, and all describe Apollo. Son of Zeus and Leto, Apollo accomplished many challenges, all of which are told through myths. Like most Olympians, Apollo was always having affairs and loves. He was worshiped mainly by temples and oracles. He is one of the many Olympian gods and goddesses, and is the god of music, healing, prophecy, light.
 * Apollo: Favorite Son of Almighty ZEUS**

Apollo is one the Olympian gods, and therefore has many connections with the Olympians and others. His father is Zeus and his mother is Leto. Of course, Zeus is the god of Olympus, and Apollo is Zeus's favorite son. His twin sister is Artemis, the popular huntress. Leto is a Titaness. His mother had a very rough time delivering her twins. Hera became jealous of Leto and sent a python after her while she was pregnant. She was always on the run. Finally, Leto found a spot to give birth. The twins entered the world on the island of Delos (Dictionary of Classical Mythology). Artemis was born first and Apollo soon after. Artemis assisted her mother in giving birth to her twin brother Apollo. The twins were presented and welcomed with bows by their father Zeus. Apollo was created by two very powerful beings, a Titaness and the god of all Olympus, Zeus. He was destined for greatness. (Apollo).

Everyone and everything in Greece paid respect to Apollo and praised him. Apollo's sanctuary was where the Oracle Delphi dwelt. This temple was known to be the center of the entire world. At this site, the Greeks held the Pythian Games to honor the god Apollo. It was also the spot where Apollo offered advice and wisdom to those who seek it through the oracle (the Oracle at Delhi). Delphi is not the only oracle though. Apollo had many oracles that people worshiped. Some think he was first worshiped by herders and shepherds. People worshiped Apollo by writing epithets about and for him. Another oracle of Apollo was the Pythia. It was said to be very complicated because the oracle was only "open" for certain days and a certain amount of time. But the most widely known way of worship was the Oracle Delphi. In fact, its remains still standing to this day (Delphi the Oracle of Apollo).

One of the most famous myths concerning Apollo is about him slaying the huge snake Python. When Apollo was still a baby, he hunted down the serpent that had stalked his mother. This Python was sent by Hera out of jealousy. It turns out that this Python was the almighty Delphi. Zeus had to punish his son because Apollo just destroyed the oracle the gods confronted for advice. Apollo decided to learn the way of prophecy and how to do it. The priestess Delphi was convinced and taught him the art of foreseeing. However, Apollo was still punished for slaying the most important and wisest oracle. He was exiled and sent to work on earth as a mortal. Apollo was sent to serve a very kind king named King Admetus. Apollo thanked him by looking into his future and letting the King know that he could avoid his terrible fate if someone died for him (Apollo: Greek god of light).

As most Olympians, Apollo was very involved in affairs with mortals, nymphs, etc. Most of his history and stories are about his lovers. Apollo was very involved in anything having to do with music. He is also known to be a bad sport. Every time he lost a competition or event, Apollo tended to throw a temper tantrum. Once, King Midas enjoyed Pan's music more, Apollo transformed his ears into a donkey's (Apollo, The Olympians). Apollo is also straightforward. He likes rules and boundaries. In fact, he helped create the laws of different cities. The different gods and goddesses have symbols that represent themselves and they have meanings behind them. Apollo's symbols are the silver bow and arrow, the flute, snakes, swans, raven, laurel tree, wolves, and grasshoppers. The flute is one because of his Apollo's love for music. The laurel tree is another because his love Daphne was turned into a laurel tree. The silver bow and arrows are also a symbol of his because, obviously, those were his weapons and they were given to Apollo and his twin when they were first born (Apollo).

Apollo loved and hated many. His love life was very full, especially involving sexual activity. Apollo usually got all the girls and love he wanted, but in one rare case, Apollo fell in love with a nymph named Daphne. Apollo got Cupid angry, so he shot Daphne with an arrow that made her try and avoid Apollo. He pushed on and on so eventually Daphne's father turned her into a laurel tree to keep her safe from Apollo and that is why Apollo's tree is the laurel. The most famous mortal woman that Apollo had feelings for was Hecuba, the king of Troy's wife. Apollo even loved guys. He once fell for the Spartan prince, but he was killed because Zephyrus made the wind blow Apollo's arrow into the prince. Another time, Apollo became jealous of the hunter Orion and had ill feelings for him because his twin sister Artemis loved Orion. Apollo challenged Artemis into unknowingly killing her own love (Apollo).

Apollo is known by many names across the world. There are different objects that represent him. The laurel, bow and arrow, the flute, snakes, swans, and raven (Apollo). It was very interesting and fun to learn about Apollo and all the different mythological creatures. All the different theories about how the world functions and the affect the gods and goddesses make on the universe. In some cases, you can learn lessons or the myths and stories have morals. In almost everything, you can get something out of the things you read, see, or do.

Works Cited

Dean, Gordon. //The Olympians//. 1998. Mythweb. 1 Dec. 2009. <[]> Leadbetter, Ron. //Apollo//. 31 Jan. 2004. Encyclopedia Mythica. 1 Dec. 2009. <[]> The Goddess Path. //Apollo: Greek god of Light//. 2006. 1 Dec. 2009. <[]> Answers Corporation. //Apollo//. 2009. World Mythology Dictionary. 1 Dec. 2009. <[]> Roemello. //Apollo and the Serpent Python//. 2009. Spiffy Entertainment. 1 Dec. 2009. <[]> E. Morden, Margaret. //Delphi the Oracle of Apollo//. 2001. Odyssey, Adventures in Archaeology. 1 Dec. 2009. <[]> Baker, Rosalie F. //Children of Olympians//. 2008. Calliope. Infotrac. Lejardin Academy Library. 1 Dec. 2009. <[]> Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia. //Apollo//. 10/1/2009:1. EBSCO. Lejardin Academy Library. 4 Dec. 2009. <[]>