Thus, the Greeks most often associated Apollo's name with the Greek verb (apollymi), "to destroy". However, the Greeks thought of the two qualities as complementary: the two gods are brothers, and when Apollo at winter left for Hyperborea, he would leave the Delphic oracle to Dionysus. According to Greek tradition, he helped Cretan or Arcadian colonists found the city of Troy. Apollo Symbol List What Are The Symbols of Apollo? The site of Delphi is located on the southern slopes of Mount Parnassus in central Greece, and is about 120 kilometers (75 miles) northwest of Athens. His twin sister is Artemis. Even though he foresaw his death that would happen in his journey with the Argonauts, he embraced his destiny and died a brave death. But Apollo was also the wolf-slayer in his role as the god who protected flocks from predators. Arion began singing a song in praise of Apollo, seeking the god's help. [162] After the servitude was over, as per his father's order, he travelled to the Vale of Tempe to bath in waters of Peneus. This annoyed Zeus, who decided to annihilate the entire family of Periphas. Apollo, who was passing by, caught them and carried them to two different cities in Chersonesus, Molpadia to Castabus and Parthenos to Bubastus. Apollo. Hera is the eldest daughter of the titans, Cronus and Rhea. Cassandra promised to return his love on one condition - he should give her the power to see the future. If you liked reading the piece, you will probably enjoy our post on Artemis symbols here. The doe, the dog, the boar, and the wolf were sacred to her among the animals; among the plants, the laurel, the cedar, and the olive tree. [225] He rides on the back of a swan to the land of the Hyperboreans during the winter months, and the absence of warmth in winters is due to his departure. Although his sacred animals were the wolf, the raven and the dolphin, Apollo was also known as the god of cowherds and kept (bright red) sacred cows, the finest cattle in the world. Apollo Symbol - Sacred Animals, Plants and Symbols of Apollo The son of Zeus and Leto, Apollo/Apollon is the god of music, poetry, songs, prophecy and oracles, archery and healing. Because of this people were very fond of him and started honouring him to the same extent as Zeus. After he was freed from his servitude to Eurystheus, Heracles fell in conflict with Iphytus, a prince of Oechalia, and murdered him. This probably influenced the theory of numbers of Pythagoras, who believed that behind the appearance of things there was the permanent principle of mathematics.[99]. Performing a ritual involving murder. Apollo helped many Trojan warriors, including Agenor, Polydamas, Glaucus in the battlefield. This Greek mythological figure is the godgoddess of battle strategy among other things. The cult of Apollo Carnea, god of flocks and herds, probably explains why Apollo was so . Developed in the 8th century B.C., the sanctuary was home to the Oracle of Delphi and the priestess Pythia, who was . Apollo - Greek god of archery, music, light, and prophecy. After Heracles (then named Alcides) was struck with madness and killed his family, he sought to purify himself and consulted the oracle of Apollo. During the gigantomachy, Apollo and Heracles blinded the giant Ephialtes by shooting him in his eyes, Apollo shooting his left and Heracles his right. Apollo's silver bow and arrow represent his defeat of the monster Python (or Phython). The sculptors derived this from observations on human beings, but they also embodied in concrete form, issues beyond the reach of ordinary thought. Apollo had to serve as a slave for nine years. Both orders were abandoned for the Corinthian order gradually during the Hellenistic age and under Rome. Apollo took care of the male offspring and Artemis of Niobe 's daughters. [173] Apollo guarded the cattle of Laomedon in the valleys of mount Ida, while Poseidon built the walls of Troy. Online translated text available at theoi.com, Harpers Dictionary of Classical Antiquities, Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities, A Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities, The Warburg Institute Iconographic Database: ca 1650 images of Apollo, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Apollo&oldid=1142341383. Fairbanks), Eustathius on Iliad; cf. His body is fair from head to foot, his limbs shine bright, his tongue gives oracles, and he is equally eloquent in prose or verse, propose which you will. While they were asleep, the wine jar was broken by the swines their family kept. When Odysseus lost, Athena and Ares came into a direct duel. When Zeus allowed the other gods to get involved in the war, Apollo was provoked by Poseidon to a duel. [379], Apollo has appeared in many modern video games. Once Hera, out of spite, aroused the Titans to war against Zeus and take away his throne. The Sibyl took a handful of sand and asked Apollo to grant her years of life as many as the grains of sand she held in her hands. His symbols include the sun, the bow and arrow, and the lyre. [54][55], The cult centers of Apollo in Greece, Delphi and Delos, date from the 8th century BCE. The Hyperborean worship of Apollo bears the strongest marks of Apollo being worshipped as the sun god. [249] Latin poet Ovid in his Ars Amatoria said that even though he was a god, Apollo forsook his pride and stayed in as a servant for the sake of Admetus. [219], The Aloadae, namely Otis and Ephialtes, were twin giants who decided to wage war upon the gods. One of Apollo's sacred animals was the cow. You killed him, o Phoebus, while still a baby, still leaping in the arms of your dear mother, and you entered the holy shrine, and sat on the golden tripod, on your truthful throne distributing prophecies from the gods to mortals. [185] According to Socrates, ancient Greeks believed that Apollo is the god who directs the harmony and makes all things move together, both for the gods and the humans. Soon after his return, Apollo needed to recruit people to Delphi. And he challenged the young and sturdy men to a match of boxing, only to cut their heads off when they would get defeated by him. [333], Artemis as the sister of Apollo, is thea apollousa, that is, she as a female divinity represented the same idea that Apollo did as a male divinity. Athenian annual festivals included the Boedromia, Metageitnia,[353] Pyanepsia, and Thargelia. Known as the ideal of youth and athleticism, Apollo is the son of the Zeus and Leto; and his twin sister, Artemis, is the goddess of the moon and the hunt. Thus, dolphins are considered to the brightest of all animals and at the same time aware of the unseen. Traditionally, Apollo and his twin . This act is when he started being worshipped as . The romantic nature of their relationship was first described by Callimachus of Alexandria, who wrote that Apollo was "fired with love" for Admetus. [245], Admetus, the king of Pherae, was also Apollo's lover. Also of major importance was the Delia held every four years on Delos. In Aeschylus' Oresteia trilogy, Clytemnestra kills her husband, King Agamemnon because he had sacrificed their daughter Iphigenia to proceed forward with the Trojan war. [82] However, recent scholars have cast doubt on the identification of Qdns with Apollo. They spend their time on Parnassus, which is one of their sacred places. What Are The Sacred Plants Of Apollo/Apollon? When Apollo chased her in order to persuade her, she changed herself into a laurel tree. Greek art puts into Apollo the highest degree of power and beauty that can be imagined. [84] However, while usually Greek festivals were celebrated at the full moon, all the feasts of Apollo were celebrated at the seventh day of the month, and the emphasis given to that day (sibutu) indicates a Babylonian origin.[85]. Amphion, at the sight of his dead sons, either killed himself or was killed by Apollo after swearing revenge. As the patron of Delphi (Pythian Apollo), Apollo was an oracular godthe prophetic deity of the Delphic Oracle. It was present in the sanctuary of Apollo Leukates. [147][148] His absence from the world caused coldness and this was marked as his annual death. [182], Idmon was educated by Apollo to be a seer. Apollo gives an order through the Oracle at Delphi that Agamemnon's son, Orestes, is to kill Clytemnestra and Aegisthus, her lover. What Are The Sacred Animals Of Apollo/Apollon? When Apollo found out about her infidelity through his prophetic powers or thanks to his raven who informed him, he sent his sister, Artemis, to kill Coronis. The Dolphin is an animal which is sacred to Dionysus and Apollo. The day of Apollos birth was believed to have been the seventh of the month, whence he is called hebdomagens. Receiving the aegis from Zeus, Apollo entered the battlefield as per his father's command, causing great terror to the enemy with his war cry. The most famous is the little owl, which was associated with Athena because she was the patron goddess of the city of Athens, where owls were said to be common. Dionysus's Sacred Animals. He invoked Apollo and asked the god to avenge the broken promise. [350] He also erected a new temple to the god on the Palatine hill. Cyparissus was so saddened by its death that he asked Apollo to let his tears fall forever. He is pictured as a terrible god, less trusted by the Greeks than other gods. [174] Other versions make both Apollo and Poseidon the builders of the wall. But when Apollo came and sent Themis, the child of Earth, away from the holy oracle of Pytho, Earth gave birth to dream visions of the night; and they told to the cities of men the present, and what will happen in the future, through dark beds of sleep on the ground; and so Earth took the office of prophecy away from Phoebus, in envy, because of her daughter. His intimate connection to wolves is evident from his epithet Lyceus, meaning wolf-like. Spartan annual festivals were the Carneia and the Hyacinthia. ). Because Admetus had treated Apollo well, the god conferred great benefits on him in return. Patron god of the theatre and art. Hesychius connects the name Apollo with the Doric (apella), which means "assembly", so that Apollo would be the god of political life, and he also gives the explanation (sekos), "fold", in which case Apollo would be the god of flocks and herds. But because he was a just king and a good devotee, Apollo intervened and requested his father to spare Periphas. Delphi and Actium were his primary places of worship. So to the god they dedicated a bronze wolf. When Evadne went into labour, Apollo sent the Moirai to assist his lover. Among the warriors was Aristaeus, Apollo's son. [138] In most of the traditions, Apollo was still a child when he killed Python. Asclepius in his childhood gained much knowledge pertaining to medicinal arts by his father. Information boards inform about the large animal and plant world of the nature park. Apollo turned Parthenos into a constellation after her early death. On the other hand, Apollo also encouraged founding new towns and establishment of civil constitution. 2006. Although Sibyl did live an extended life as Apollo had promised, he did not give her agelessness along with it, so she shrivelled and shrank and only her voice remained.[332]. He shook his locks of hair, put an end to the night voices, and took away from mortals the truth that appears in darkness, and gave the privilege back again to Loxias. He also killed many of the enemy warriors like Melaneus, Antiphus, Aetion, Polites and Lampus. d. !Participating in cannibalism. All the goddesses except Hera were present to witness the event. Plato said that the innate ability of humans to take delight in music, rhythm and harmony is the gift of Apollo and the Muses. [193] In his role as the god of banquets, he was always present to play music in weddings of the gods, like the marriage of Eros and Psyche, Peleus and Thetis. Capercaillie and black grouse live in the park, as do golden eagles and the rare white-backed woodpecker. Animals and Pets Anime Art Cars and Motor Vehicles Crafts and DIY Culture, Race, and Ethnicity Ethics and Philosophy Fashion Food and Drink History Hobbies Law Learning and Education Military Movies Music Place Podcasts and Streamers Politics Programming Reading, Writing, and Literature Religion and Spirituality Science Tabletop Games . He is the son of Zeus and the youngest Olympian. When Zeus suggested that Dionysus defeat the Indians in order to earn a place among the gods, Dionysus declared war against the Indians and travelled to India along with his army of Bacchantes and satyrs. As the patron deity of Delphi (Apollo Pythios), Apollo is an oracular godthe prophetic deity of the Delphic Oracle. Many myths have him train his children. Perhaps, the most well-known symbol of Apollo is his lyre. At last when the moment of departure came, Apollo expressed his grief with tears in his eyes and bid farewell to Amphiaraus, who was soon engulfed by the Earth.[217]. Apollo the Greek God of Sun by Nnnmmm Artemis Symbols Otis and Ephialtes even dared to scale Mount Olympus. I 3, 4. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. It is said that Leto came to Delos from Hyperborea accompanied by a pack of wolves. Pythia is arguably the constant favorite of Apollo among the mortals. It was found in Piraeus, a port city close to Athens, and is believed to have come from north-eastern Peloponnesus. The leaves became the symbol of victory and laurel wreaths were given to the victors of the Pythian games. [15] Plato in Cratylus connects the name with (apolysis), "redemption", with (apolousis), "purification", and with ([h]aploun), "simple",[16] in particular in reference to the Thessalian form of the name, , and finally with (aeiballon), "ever-shooting". Artemis was the daughter of Zeus and Leto and the twin sister of Apollo. In her earliest depictions she was accompanied by the "Master of the animals", a bow-wielding god of hunting whose name has been lost; aspects of this figure may have been absorbed into the more popular Apollo. Later, when Creusa left Ion to die in the wild, Apollo asked Hermes to save the child and bring him to the oracle at Delphi, where he was raised by a priestess. [337] In later times when Apollo was regarded as identical with the sun or Helios, Artemis was naturally regarded as Selene or the moon. Admetus was the king of Pherae, who was known for his hospitality. mouse & Cattle of the Sun. As a deity of knowledge and great power, Apollo was seen being the male counterpart of Athena. [195] Distinctions have been made that Hermes invented lyre made of tortoise shell, whereas the lyre Apollo invented was a regular lyre.[196]. Zeus, pleased with his son's integrity, gave Apollo the seat next to him on his right side. In spaceflight, the 1960s and 1970s NASA program for orbiting and landing astronauts on the Moon was named after Apollo, by NASA manager Abe Silverstein: Apollo riding his chariot across the Sun was appropriate to the grand scale of the proposed program. Apollo later established the Pythian games to appropriate Gaia. [149] He returned to the world during the beginning of the spring. What Are The Sacred Plants Of Apollo/Apollon? Apollo granted her wish, but Sibyl went back on her word. They also believed that music was delegated to the same mathematical laws of harmony as the mechanics of the cosmos, evolving into an idea known as the music of the spheres.[192]. The contrast between the roles of these gods is reflected in the adjectives Apollonian and Dionysian. [148] The swans, which were considered to be the most musical among the birds, were believed to be the "singers of Apollo". The Vatican Mythographers. [86] Homer interprets Apollo as a terrible god ( ) who brings death and disease with his arrows, but who can also heal, possessing a magic art that separates him from the other Greek gods. In literary contexts, Apollo represents harmony, order, and reasoncharacteristics contrasted with those of Dionysus, god of wine, who represents ecstasy and disorder. When she sought for the reason behind this, Apollo told her that Zeus, before taking another lover, would sit on this rock to free himself from his love to Hera. The national divinity of the Greeks, Apollo has been recognized as a god of archery, music and dance, truth and prophecy, healing and diseases, the Sun and light, poetry, and more. Marsyas was a satyr who was punished by Apollo for his hubris. The Greek god Apollo is the most rational, artistic and fastidious of the Olympians. https://www.thoughtco.com/apollo-god-symbols-117070 (accessed March 4, 2023). Apollo also buried in Hyperborea the arrow which he had used to kill the Cyclopes. While none of the Greek originals have survived, several Roman copies from approximately the late 1st or early 2nd century exist. When she reached the sanctuary of Apollo in Argos, she confided in him her love and sorrow. Anius later became the priest of Apollo and the king of Delos. 499500. Dolphins, ravens, swans and wolves were Apollo's sacred animals. Artemis Daphnaia had her temple among the Lacedemonians, at a place called Hypsoi. Pepin, Ronald E. (2008). Apollo's chief epithet was Phoebus (/fibs/ FEE-bs; , Phoibos Greek pronunciation:[pi.bos]), literally "bright". But in the next round, Apollo decided to play on his lyre and add his melodious voice to his performance. Apollo hung Marsyas from a tree to flay him. The muscular frames and limbs combined with slim waists indicate the Greek desire for health, and the physical capacity which was necessary in the hard Greek environment. p. 529, Pausanias VIII 41, 8-IV 34, 7-Sittig. The marble is a Hellenistic or Roman copy of a bronze original by the Greek sculptor Leochares, made between 350 and 325 BCE. Since Apollo was the god of healing, he performed purification ceremonies for mortals who had committed immoral acts. 9. [92] However the Indo-European component of Apollo does not explain his strong relation with omens, exorcisms, and with the oracular cult. Apollo's Sacred Animals And Plants Ravens, wolves, dolphins and swans were known as his sacred animals while larkspurs, cypress trees and laurels were Apollo's sacred plants. [226], Prometheus was the titan who was punished by Zeus for stealing fire. Ileus was very dear to Apollo. [342] Apollo's decisions were usually approved by his sister Athena, and they both worked to establish the law and order set forth by Zeus.[343]. Loki's son Fenrir is a giant legendary wolf from Norse mythology. [184], Immediately after his birth, Apollo demanded a lyre and invented the paean, thus becoming the god of music. Evadne was a nymph daughter of Poseidon and a lover of Apollo. Arabus, Delphos, Dryops, Miletos, Tenes, Epidaurus, Ceos, Lycoras, Syrus, Pisus, Marathus, Megarus, Patarus, Acraepheus, Cicon, Chaeron and many other sons of Apollo, under the guidance of his words, founded eponymous cities. Apollo is symbolized by rays of light. The Twelve Olympian Gods and Goddesses of Greek Mythology, Fast Facts on Helios - Greek God of the Sun, Hermes - A Thief, Inventor, and Messenger God, Classic Greek Mythology: Stories from Ovid's Metamorphoses, M.A., Linguistics, University of Minnesota. The temples should be canonic, and the architects were trying to achieve this esthetic perfection. When Hypseus tried to kill the hero by a spear, Apollo directed the spear towards the charioteer of Amphiaraus instead. Although his sacred animals were the wolf, the raven and the dolphin, Apollo was also known as the god of cowherds and kept (bright red) sacred cows, the finest cattle in the world. Other attributes of his included the kithara (an advanced version of the common lyre), the plectrum and the sword. [140] Swans circled the island seven times and the nymphs sang in delight. About the 4th century BCE, the paean became merely a formula of adulation; its object was either to implore protection against disease and misfortune or to offer thanks after such protection had been rendered. The deer that pulled her chariot were the first animals she captured and the entire species was loved by the goddess. To avoid her death, Apollo turned her into a nymph, saving her life. Python was sent by Hera to hunt the pregnant Leto to death, and had assaulted her. iii. His twin sister is Artemis. Apollo as a handsome beardless young man, is often depicted with a cithara (as Apollo Citharoedus) or bow in his hand, or reclining on a tree (the Apollo Lykeios and Apollo Sauroctonos types). He reprimanded Heracles for this act of violation and asked Apollo to give a solution to Heracles. Violets are a good illustration being created by Cupid from a group of young maidens whom Venus beat during a jealous rage. Which were the sacred plants of Apollo? Apollo raised and educated the child on his own. She further mocked Apollo's effeminate appearance and Artemis' manly appearance. [338] Hecate's lunar nature makes her the goddess of the waning moon and contrasts and complements, at the same time, Apollo's solar nature. It was so beautiful that Tmolus at once awarded the victory to Apollo, and everyone was pleased with the judgement. According to some traditions, he was a seven months child (heptamnaios). Because Python was a child of Gaia, Gaia wanted Apollo to be banished to Tartarus as a punishment. His oracular shrines include: Oracles were also given by sons of Apollo. [79], A non-Greek origin of Apollo has long been assumed in scholarship. He immediately set out in pursuit of the serpent that Hera had sent to torment his mother, Leto. [335] The laurel (daphne) was sacred to both. His attributes are his manly beauty and physique of near perfect form. [45], Apollo is considered the most Hellenic (Greek) of the Olympian gods. [201] Another variation is that Apollo played his instrument upside down. Apollo appears often in the myths, plays and hymns. [63] It is suggested, though unconfirmed, that he is connected to the Mycenaean figure pa-ja-wo-ne (Linear B: ). Only then would Alcides be absolved of his sin. He sided with the Trojans, and sent a terrible plague to the Greek camp, which indirectly led to the conflict between Achilles and Agamemnon. Apollo then played his lyre and sang at the same time, mesmerising the audience. Delphi was an important ancient Greek religious sanctuary sacred to the god Apollo.Located on Mt. Henceforth, Hyperborea became Apollo's winter home and wolves became sacred to him. Dionysus caused ivy to grow all over the ship and he turned all the pirates (with the exception of the helmsman) into Dolphins. Apollo (Apollon, Apellon, Phoebus Apollo, Aplu) was a god of light and the sun, truth and prophecy, healing, plague, music, and poetry. The Corybantes were spear-clashing, dancing demigods. his son Telamon joined Heracles when he sieged the city during Laomedon's rule. [367] The conventions of this representation, head tilted, lips slightly parted, large-eyed, curling hair cut in locks grazing the neck, were developed in the 3rd century BCE to depict Alexander the Great. [29][30], Apollo was worshipped throughout the Roman Empire. This page was last edited on 1 March 2023, at 21:45. [9] The name of Apollo's mother Leto has Lydian origin, and she was worshipped on the coasts of Asia Minor. Artemis's Dominions. His main symbol is the grapevine. Artemis's Roman Name. 62. [376], Apollo has been depicted in modern filmsfor instance, by Keith David in the 1997 animated feature film Hercules,[377] by Luke Evans in the 2010 action film Clash of the Titans,[378] and by Dimitri Lekkos in the 2010 film Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief. Her favorite city is Argos. She displayed hubris when she boasted that she was superior to Leto because she had fourteen children (Niobids), seven male and seven female, while Leto had only two. Since he learnt the art of building when young, he later came to be known as Archegetes, the founder (of towns) and god who guided men to build new cities. Additionally, Apollo fostered and educated Chiron, the centaur who later became the greatest teacher and educated many demigods, including Apollo's sons. [4] Apollo and Helios/Sol remained separate beings in literary and mythological texts until the 5th century CE. Parnassos, which was then named after her. Marsyas could not do this with his instrument. According to the Greek myth, each morning Apollo rides a golden flaming chariot across the sky bringing daylight to the world. Heartbroken, Aphrodite wandered looking for the rock of Leukas. [197] Hermes then began to play music on the lyre he had invented. In antiquity, Apollo was associated with the planet Mercury. Zeus and Leto are the parents of Apollo. Gill, N.S. Aeneas was then taken to Pergamos, a sacred spot in Troy, where he was healed. In Ovid's account, Apollo completes his task by playing his tunes on his lyre. Apollo used his bow and golden arrow to shed light upon an island, where the Argonauts soon took shelter. Contents 1 History 2 Percy Jackson and the Olympians 2.1 The Sea of Monsters 2.2 The Battle of the Labyrinth 3 The Heroes of Olympus 3.1 The Demigod Diaries Myths tell that the infant Hermes stole a number of Apollo's cows and took them to a cave in the woods near Pylos, covering their tracks. Once all ravens were white birds or so goes the myth, but after delivering bad news to the god he scorched the wings of the raven so that all ravens going forward were black. [355][354] In many myths Apollo is transformed into a hawk. Temple of Apollo Pythios Sotir, 1800-year-old stele on way back from Italy after 23 years, Slab with marching ancient Greek warriors discovered at Apollo temples on ancient black sea island in Bulgaria's Sozopol, A topographical dictionary of Ancient Rome, "New find at Mdina most important so far in old capital", Realencyclopdie der Classischen Altertumswissenschaft, "APOLLO, THE YOUNG, AND THE CITY - KEY THEMES - Apollo - Fritz Graf", "Mosaics in Tunisia: Apollo and the Muses", "Cygnus X-1 Book Two: Hemispheres Lyrics | Rush.com", "Trials of Apollo: The Dark Prophecy release date, synopsis", "Dionysus in Nietzsche and Greek Myth by Gwendolyn Toynton", Online version at the Perseus Digital Library. Apollo is associated with the cow as he has had the famous cattle that Helios, the god of the sun, was looking over and which Hermes stole when he was born. At level 20 it can be found in the northwestern edge of Phokis in the Sacred Lands of Apollo. Apollo granted the request by turning him into the Cypress named after him, which was said to be a sad tree because the sap forms droplets like tears on the trunk. According to some versions of the myth, among the Niobids, Chloris and her brother Amyclas were not killed because they prayed to Leto. [160], However, Apollo had committed a blood murder and had to be purified. Though he greatly favored the Trojans, Apollo was bound to follow the orders of Zeus and served his father loyally during the war. He oversees their education and their passage into adulthood. He was often equated with Celtic gods of similar character. This contrast appears to be shown on the two sides of the Borghese Vase. Apollo's sacred animals include wolfs, dolphins, roe deer, swan, and a few more. There, Hecate was taken to be Apollo's sister counterpart in the absence of Artemis. [17] In the ancient Macedonian language (pella) means "stone,"[18] and some toponyms may be derived from this word: (Pella,[19] the capital of ancient Macedonia) and (Pelln/Pellene).[20]. The different wooden elements were considered divine, and their forms were preserved in the marble or stone elements of the temples of Doric order. He deflected many spears and arrows away them. APOLLO was the son of Zeus and twin brother of Artemis. [1], Apollo is a common theme in Greek and Roman art and also in the art of the Renaissance. Education is said to have originated from Apollo and the Muses. In the late 2nd century CE floor mosaic from El Djem, Roman Thysdrus, he is identifiable as Apollo Helios by his effulgent halo, though now even a god's divine nakedness is concealed by his cloak, a mark of increasing conventions of modesty in the later Empire. The contest was judged by the Muses, or the nymphs of Nysa. Olympus by piling up mountains, and threatened to fill the sea with mountains and inundate dry land. But Theresa is particularly taken with the butterfly with the striking red dots on its black and white wings. Animals sacred to Apollo included wolves, dolphins, roe deer, swans, cicadas (symbolizing music and song), hawks, ravens, crows, snakes (referencing Apollo's function as the god of prophecy), mice and griffins, mythical eagle-lion hybrids of Eastern origin.