Apollo

1
Chapter 11

• Apollo

2
Homeric Hymn 3 (To Apollo)

• Poem is actually two poems
• 3a Hymn to Delian Apollo (M L, 238-42 8th
  ed.)
• 3b Hymn to Delphic Apollo (M L, 259-68 8th
  ed.)
• Consider the opening what a great scene!
• Only Athenas birth gets such treatment
• Consider the ending of 3a who is this blind
  poet of Chios? (M L, 242)

3
Homeric Hymn 3 (To Apollo)

• 3a where is Delos? Why is it concerned about
  Apollos birth?
• How does Leto finally convince Delos to be the
  birthplace of Apollo?
• What does Hera do to make life difficult for
  Leto?
• What evidence is there that the poet feels Hera
  is wrong?

4
Brief Comments on Delphi

• Main oracle in Greece
• At one time, oracle under control of Pythia
• Homeric Hymn 3b describes battle between Apollo
  and Pytho (monster) for control of Delphi
• Other oracle at Dodona (to Zeus)

5
Apollos Sorry Love Life

• Cumaean Sibyl (M L, 246-47 8th ed.)
• Cassandra (M L, 247-48 8th ed.)
• Daphne (Ovid, Metamorphoses I, 452-567, M L,
  248-252 8th ed.)
• Hyacinthus (Ovid, Metamorphoses X, 174-219, M L
  , 252-53 8th ed.)
• Coronis (Ovid, Metamorphoses II, 600-34, M L,
  253-55 8th ed.)
• Marpessa (M L, 248 8th ed.)
• Whats up with this?

6
Apollo and Music

• Contest with Marsyas (Ovid, Metamorphoses VI, M
  L, 255-56 8th ed.)
• Contest with Pan (Ovid, Metamorphoses XI, 146-93,
  M L, 257-58 8th ed.)
• Whats with Apollo and criticism, or challenges?

7
Nature of Apollo

• Is the boy wound too tight?
• Apollo v. Dionysus as artistic approach
• Apollo figure of control order
• Augustus Caesars patron god