Phoebus 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. Apollo is sometimes called Apollo Smitheus. It is thought that this refers to a connection between Apollo and mice, which makes sense since Apollo shoots plague arrows to punish disrespectful humans. Most people know Apollo as a sun god.
11. Apollo and Hyacinth
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Thomas Bulfinch retells the story of the love affair between Apollo and Hyacinth(us). The pair were playing a game with a pointed missile Bulfinch calls a quoit. It accidentally struck Hyacinth, possibly because of the mischievous West Wind. When he died, Apollo made the flower called hyacinth grow from his blood.
12. Sun Gods and Goddesses
A list of sun gods and goddesses from the world's mythologies. Although Apollo wasn't originally a sun god, he came to be known as one.13. Hermes - A Thief, Inventor, and Messenger God
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Zeus fathered both Hermes (the Roman Mercury)and Apollo. When Hermes was still a baby and Apollo grown, Hermes started rustling Apollo's cattle. Apollo knew Hermes was responsible. Zeus helped smooth out the ruffled family feathers. Later, Apollo and Hermes made various exchanges of property so that although Apollo was the god of music, he tended to play instruments Hermes had invented.
