APOLLO - God Apollo was son of Zeus and Leto, and twin brother to Goddess Artemis. Apollo was the god of music, archery, medicine, colonization, herds, divination, he represents many of the better qualities of the humankind, including order, intelligence, rationalization, and an appreciation for the finer things. He could cause or cure the plague. He established the Oracle at Delphi when he rid the city of the dragon Python. The Oracle could predict the future. Apollo dedicated a bronze tripod to the sanctuary there and bestowed divine powers on the priestess, Pythia. She would chew on laurel levels and inhale the the hallucinating vapors issuing from the temple floor, while mumbling prophecies that had to be translated by attendant male priest. Apollo perhaps established the city of Troy also. He is often perceived as the perfect male. Apollo was also well known for his love affairs with beautiful mortals of both sexes, including among them Calliope, Coronis and Daphne. Apollo's Oracle at Delphi was well known throughout the Mediterranean. Apollo is closely associated with the sun, or at least with Helios, the Greek sun god. Apollo is often shown as holding bow and arrow symbolizing the sun's rays.

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