Gods,Heroes,Myths Greek Mythology Homer's epics,Expeditions

He was one of the most important gods of Olympus. He was son of Zeus and Leto. His twin sister was Artemis. The two children were born in Delos, an island in the Aegean, which has since been considered sacred.

For the Ancient Greeks he was the god of the sun and light. The legend has it that in autumn he would leave Greece and go to the country of the Hyperboreans. In spring, he would return on a chariot, which was drag by swans.

He was in close relation to vegetation and agriculture in general. That's why one of his symbols is a blooming bay branch. He protected shepherds and flocks, hunters and sailors, especially on long journeys. He was a god who purged people from the crimes, but also the god of death that would inflict with his bow. At the same time, however, he had the power to prevent any catastrophe, death or illness. That is why he was the god of medicine and the father of Asclepius, who was also the god of medicine. It could also relieve the body and soul of people.

He was also considered an oracle god. This is why there were many oracles established in his honor, in many places in ancient Greece. The most important of all, of course, was the Delphi oracle. There, in Delphi, the lawmakers would validate all their laws until the 5th century BC. That is why he was also a god who respected the order, enforced the law and guarded all vows.

He was a protector of youth, and to him the young men would devote their hair when they were cut for the first time. He was even considered the god of music and poetry, the father of the Muses and therefore the protector of all the fine arts.

Symbols of Apollo are the navel, the lyre, the tripod, the bow and arrows, the swan, the hawk, the vulture, the crayfish, the gryphon (the eagle and the lion together), the wolf, the deer, the goat, the ram, the mouse, the frog, the snake, the lizard etc. From the plants the palm tree, the olive tree, the eagles, especially the laurel and others.