Apollo

Also known as: Far-Darter / Gleamer / Leto’s son / Lycoreian Phoebus / Phoebus / son of Leto · Family: gods · Role: god · First appears: Book I 1

In Book I, Apollo taught Mopsus the augury of birds and revealed Idmon as his own son rather than Abas’s, instructing him in prophecy and the signs of sacrifice: “Leto’s son himself begat him.” He gave Eurytus his bow, though Eurytus chose to challenge him and became his enemy, and as a young god he shot Tityos. To Jason, Apollo was both patron and guide, promising through his oracle at Pytho to show the way and fulfilment of the sea journey.

In Book II, Apollo taught Phineus prophecy, carried Cyrene from Haemonia to Libya, and fathered Aristaeus, whom he brought as an infant to Cheiron for nurturing. Later, by Apollo’s command, Aristaeus went from Phthia to Ceos to ward off pestilence. Apollo also slew Delphyne while still young, commanded Idmon’s people to worship him as their city’s guardian, and appeared before Jason and the Argonauts at Thynias; after this, Orpheus led them in sacrifice and praise to him. Sinope deceived Apollo when he sought to marry her.

In Book III, Apollo guided Cadmus by prophetic word to the place where he settled, and his guidance led to the dragon’s slaying at the spring of Ares. In Book IV, divine Coronis bore Apollo a son, while Acacallis bore him Amphithemis and Garamas; Caphaurus was his grandson through Acacallis. Apollo gave Jason two tripods for the voyage, and at the Melantian rocks revealed Anaphe to the heroes from the Pall of Darkness. In his honour they built an abode and altar, calling him Phoebus the “Gleamer.”