Greek God Apollo

Apollo is a Greek god with many, and sometimes conflicting attributes. He is a patron of intellectual pursuits, the arts, and prophesy. He leads the Muses, for which reason he is called Apollo Musagetes. Modern philosophers and psychologists sometimes contrast Apollo with Dionysus, god of wine and frenzy. Apollo inspires seers with prophecy while Dionysus fills his followers with madness.

Apollo is sometimes called Apollo Smitheus, which may point to a connection between Apollo and mice, since Apollo shoots plague arrows to punish disrespectful humans.

Over time Apollo came to be associated with the sun, taking over the role of the sun god Helios.