Apollo
Apollo
Two important early centers for the worship of Apollo are the island of Delos in the Aegean Sea and Delphi, located on the lower elevations of Mt. Parnassus. Apollo is called Delian for how he was worshipped on Delos and Pythian for how he was honored at Delphi.
Homeric Hymn to Delian Apollo, pp.149-160.
In the opening of the Hymn how is Leto portrayed? What types of activities is she shown performing?
What is suggested by the mention of the many places where Apollo is praised in song? What kind of place is Delos? How can an island talk?
How does Leto seek to persuade the island to receive her so that she may give birth to Apollo? How does the birth of Apollo take place?
What characteristics is the god shown to possess? What human activities does he oversee?
Homeric Hymn to Pythian Apollo, pp.161-181.
How does Telphusa persuade Apollo of the unsuitability of her site for a sanctuary to the god? What site does she recommend and what advantages does she mention? How does Apollo acquire the name Telphusian?
How does Apollo come to be called Pythian? How does the site of Apollo's sanctuary come to be called Delphi?
Who are the original priests here and how are they chosen? Why do the Cretans hesitate to serve the god as priests? What is Apollo's response?
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Revised: November 4, 1997