Apollo. According to both Greeks and Romans, Apollo was the son of Jupiter and Latona, born on the island Delos. He was regarded as the god of the sciences and the arts, especially poetry, music, and medicine. They ascribed to him the greatest skill in the use of the bow and arrow, which he proved in killing the serpent Pytho, the sons of Niobe, and the Cyclops. The last achievement incensed Jupiter, and he was banished from Olympus. During his exile Apollo abode as a shepherd with Admetus, King of Thessaly. All sudden deaths were believed to be the effect of his arrows; and with them he sent the plague into the camp of the Greeks before Troy. As he had the power of punishing men, so he was also able to deliver men, if duly propitiated. From his being the god who afforded help, he is the father of Aesculapius, the god of the healing. As a god of inspiration and prophecy he gave oracles and communicated this gift to other gods and to men.
