Most people know of Apollo only as a sun god, but he's much more. Apollo, sometimes called Phoebus with or without Apollo, is a Greek and Roman 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.
There is much to say about Apollo. If he's unfamiliar, start with the glossary entry on Apollo.
1. Apollo - Who Is Apollo?
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Apollo is thought to inspire the priestess of Delphi to pronounce oracles. Apollo is associated with the laurel, which is used in certain games to crown the victor. He is a god of music, prophecy, and later, the sun.
This glossary entry is a basic introduction to Apollo.
2. Apollo - Profile of Apollo
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This profile provides more details on Apollo and the myths in which you'll find him. It also lists some important modern cultural uses of Apollo's name.
3. Apollo Picture Gallery
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Pictures of Apollo with various gods, goddesses, and mortals, and photos of sculptures. Apollo's depiction changes somewhat over time.
4. Apollo's Mates
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The men and women with whom Apollo mated, and their children. Apollo didn't have as many affairs as his father. Not all of his liaisons produced children -- even those with women. His most famous offspring was Asclepius.
5. Homeric Hymn to Delian Apollo
Not really by "Homer", this hymn to Apollo tells the charming story of how Leto talked Delos into permitting her to rest long enough to give birth to her great son Apollo.6. Homeric Hymn to Pythian Apollo
Another hymn, not really written by "Homer," that tells the story of how Apollo came to be connected with the oracle. There is a scene that describes how the Olympians and their families and attendants delighted in Apollo's singing and music. It then describes the quest of Apollo for a place to locate his shrine and oracle.Also see Pythia.
7. Homeric Hymn to the Muses and Apollo
This short hymn to the Muses and Apollo explains that the Muses and Apollo are both necessary for music.8. Ovid's Apollo and Daphne
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In his Metamorphoses, Ovid tells the story of love affairs like this one that go wrong, resulting in the transformation of a human into (in this case) a tree.
