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Miscellaneous Myths: Artemis and Apollo

Overly Sarcastic Productions・26 minutes read

Fraternal and identical twins play significant roles in Greek mythology, with examples like Castor and Pollux, Artemis and Apollo, and Lugal-Irra and Meslamta-Ea. Apollo's uncertain origins and name etymology, along with Artemis's depiction as a distant force of nature and protector of young women, highlight their complex and contradictory traits.

Insights

  • Fraternal twins of different genders are rare in Greek mythology, with examples like Castor and Pollux, Helen and Clytemnestra, and Heracles and Iphicles, showcasing unique sibling dynamics in ancient tales.
  • Artemis and Apollo, initially unclear in their origins and potential non-Greek roots, evolve into complex figures with Artemis embodying nature's forces and Apollo representing power, civilization, and the arts, showcasing the nuanced and contradictory nature of these twin deities in mythology.

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Recent questions

  • Who are some famous fraternal twins in Greek mythology?

    Fraternal twins in Greek mythology include Castor and Pollux, Helen and Clytemnestra, and Heracles and Iphicles.

  • What are some examples of identical twins in mythology?

    Examples of identical twins in mythology are the Ashvins in Hinduism, Lugal-Irra and Meslamta-Ea in Babylon, and the Dioscuri in Greece.

  • What is the origin of Artemis and Apollo in Greek mythology?

    The origins of Artemis and Apollo in Greek mythology are unclear, with suggestions that they may have come from non-Greek cultures and not initially as twins.

  • How did Apollo establish his temple at Delos?

    Apollo established his temple at Delos by being born there, declaring his symbols, and fulfilling his promise to build a temple, which remains the best despite his numerous other temples.

  • What are some contradictory traits exhibited by Artemis and Apollo in mythology?

    Artemis and Apollo exhibit contradictory traits in mythology, with Artemis protecting and killing, and Apollo's disastrous love life conflicting with Artemis's role as a protector of young women.

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Summary

00:00

Twin Gods in Greek Mythology: Origins and Stories

  • Fraternal twins of different genders are rare in Greek mythology, with examples like Castor and Pollux, Helen and Clytemnestra, and Heracles and Iphicles.
  • Identical twins are more common in mythology, such as the Ashvins in Hinduism, Lugal-Irra and Meslamta-Ea in Babylon, and the Dioscuri in Greece.
  • Artemis and Apollo's origins are unclear, with suggestions that they may have come from non-Greek cultures and not initially as twins.
  • Artemis is found in Mycenaean records, but Apollo's absence indicates they were not initially a matched set.
  • Apollo's name etymology is uncertain, possibly related to "ἀπέλλα" meaning "wall" or "place where people gather."
  • Apollo's myths suggest he came to Greece from elsewhere, like being born on Delos and slaying the Python in Delphi.
  • In the Iliad, Artemis and Apollo are on the Trojan side, with Apollo portrayed as wiser and less arrogant than Artemis.
  • The Odyssey credits Artemis and Apollo with causing sudden deaths with their divine arrows, possibly representing illness.
  • Leto, their mother, is respected in the narrative, with different accounts of her relationship with Zeus and the birth of Artemis and Apollo.
  • The Homeric Hymns offer varying accounts of Artemis and Apollo's birth, with Leto giving birth to them on different islands, suggesting they may not have always been twins.

09:58

Apollo and Artemis: Mythical Twins of Delphi

  • Leto, impregnated by Zeus, struggles to find a place to give birth due to Hera's anger.
  • Delos is the only place that agrees to host Leto's birth, despite Hera's objections.
  • Apollo is born, declares his symbols, and promises to build a temple, which he fulfills.
  • Apollo's temple at Delos remains the best despite his numerous other temples.
  • Apollo kills Python, gains the name Pythian, and establishes his oracle at Crissa.
  • Apollo transforms into a dolphin to guide a ship to Crissa for his temple's workers.
  • The area is named Delphi in honor of Apollo's heroic exploit.
  • Artemis is praised for her hunting skills, virginity, and love for the mountains.
  • Apollo's son Asclepius, born from a complicated situation, becomes a god of medicine.
  • Artemis and Apollo are confirmed as twins by Pindar in the 400s BCE.

19:30

Contradictory deities: Artemis and Apollo's complexities

  • Artemis, also known as Diana, is depicted as a distant force of nature, sending a boar to Calydon and Adonis due to jealousy, and exiling Callisto for breaking a virgins-only policy.
  • Diana intervenes in the tale of Arethusa, turning her into a freshwater spring to escape the river Alpheus.
  • Apollo emerges as a god of power, civilization, music, and the arts, while Artemis embodies the wild and uncivilized.
  • Both Artemis and Apollo exhibit contradictory traits, with Artemis protecting and killing, and Apollo's disastrous love life conflicting with Artemis's role as a protector of young women.
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