Apollo’s Lovers

APOLLO was the great Olympian god of prophecy, oracles, healing and disease, music, poetry, archery, and the protection of the young. He had a large number of liaison in mythology, although most of these appear only in the ancient genealogies with no accompanying story. The famous of these include Daphne, Coronis, and Cyrene.

Unrequited Love Daphne Coronis/Koronis Castalia Apollo's first love. Prayed to her father Peneus, a river-god, for an escape from the Apollo, and was turned into a laurel tree rather than submit to Apollo's love. She allowed Apollo to claim a wreath of her leaves as a symbol. Coronis/Koronis Daughter of King Phleyas, pregnant by Apollo, she fell in love with Arcadian prince Ischys, shot by Artemis. Mother of Aesculapius, who was taken from Coronis' womb while she was laying on her funeral pyre. Castalia A girl from Delphi, threw herself into a pool of water that now bears her name rather than submit to his advances.

More Unrequited Love Marpessa Chose a mortal by the name of Idas over Apollo. Would have been killed had Zeus not intervened and directed Marpessa to make her own choice, much to the chagrin of the god of light. Hestia Chose to remain a virgin rather than marry Apollo or, for that matter, Poseidon, who was also vying for her affections. Clytie Nymph who loved Apollo so much she sat for nine days and nine nights watching him drive the chariot of the sun across the sky. He neither looked upon her nor spoke to her, and out of pity the gods turned her into a sunflower.

Rape Dryope Cyrene/Kyrene Companion of hamadryads. Picked up Apollo (disguised as a tortoise), who then turned into a serpent to frighten away her companions. He raped and abandoned her. Cyrene/Kyrene Virgin huntress and the daughter of a Thessalian king and water-nymph. Advised by the centaur Chiron to take her to wife, Apollo approached and then raped Cyrene in the form of a wolf before spiriting her away to Libya. Mother of Aristaeus, a pioneer in beekeeping and healing.

Hardship Chione Acalle Rhoeo A victim of a Hermes and Apollo tag-team, Hermes put her to sleep and made love to her. After Hermes was done with her, Apollo disguised himself as an old woman and did the same. Neither interfered when Artemis killed her for criticizing her beauty. Acalle After bearing Apollo a son, Acalle was driven into Libya by her father, where she exposed their son Miletus. Rhoeo Rhoeo was shut in a chest by her father and cast out to sea after falling pregnant with Apollo's son Anius. Luckily, she gave birth at Apollo's island (Delos), where their son became its king and priest.

Seers Sibyl Was given the art of prophecy and an extended lifespan in exchange for her affections, a promise which she later renenged. Apollo allowed her to keep the gifts, but refrained from granting her eternal youth. May have lived as long as a thousand years. Cassandra Was taught prophecy by Apollo, but rejected his advances. Was also allowed to keep her gift, but was cursed with the knowledge that whenever she spoke the truth, she would not be believed. After the Trojan War she was taken as concubine by Agamemnon, and later followed him in death at the hands of his wife.

Tragedies Hyacinthus Cyparissus Spartan prince, killed by Apollo when the wind Zephyrus blew Apollo's discus off course. The hyacinth flower sprang from his blood. Cyparissus Accidentally killed his pet stag while hunting, and was so heartbroken Apollo consented to turn him into a cypress tree so that he might mourn his pet forever.

Male Lovers ADONIS HYAKINTHOS HYMENAIOS KYPARISSOS A Prince of Kypros (in the Eastern Meditteranean) who was loved by the god Apollon. Adonis was described as androgynous, acting like a man in his affections for Aphrodite, and like a woman with Apollo. HYAKINTHOS A Prince of Lakedaimonia (Southern Greece) who was loved by the gods Apollon and Zephryos. He was accidentally slain by Apollon in a game of quoits and transformed into a flower. HYMENAIOS A Prince of Magnesia (in Thessalia, Northern Greece) who was loved by Apollon. KYPARISSOS A Prince of Keos (in the Greek Aegean) who was loved by Apollon. When he died of grief over the death of a pet sttag, Apollon tranformed him into a cypress tree.