Myths and Legends * Apollo and Daphne. Daphne, beautiful nymph, beloved of Apollo, turned into a laurel tree Despair of the nymph Clytia

Who are Apollo and Daphne? We know the first of this pair as one of the Olympic gods, the son of Zeus, the patron of the muses and high arts. And what about Daphne? This character of the mythology of Ancient Greece has no less high origin. Her father was, according to Ovid, the Thessalian river god Peneus. Pausanias considers her the daughter of Ladon, also the patron of the river in Arcadia. And the mother of Daphne was the goddess of the earth Gaia. What happened to Apollo and Daphne? How is this tragic story of unsatisfied and rejected love revealed in the works of artists and sculptors of later eras? Read about it in this article.

The myth of Daphne and Leucippe

It crystallized in the Hellenistic era and had several variants. The most detailed story called "Apollo and Daphne" is described by Ovid in his "Metamorphoses" ("Transformations"). The young nymph lived and was brought up under the patronage. Like her, Daphne also took a vow of chastity. A certain mortal, Leucippus, fell in love with her. To get close to the beauty, he put on a woman's outfit and braided his hair into braids. His deceit was revealed when Daphne and the other girls went to bathe in Ladon. The offended women tore Leucippus to pieces. So what about Apollo? - you ask. This is just the beginning of the story. The sun-like son of Zeus at that time only slightly sympathized with Daphne. But even then the treacherous god was jealous. The girls exposed Leucippus not without the help of Apollo. But it wasn't love...

The myth of Apollo and Eros

Influence on art

The plot of the myth "Apollo and Daphne" is one of the most popular in the culture of Hellenism. He was beaten in verse by Ovid Nason. It was the transformation of a beautiful girl into an equally beautiful plant that amazed the Antikovs. Ovid describes how the face disappears behind the foliage, the tender chest is covered with bark, the arms raised in prayer become branches, and the frisky legs become roots. But, says the poet, beauty remains. In the art of late antiquity, the nymph was most often also depicted at the moment of her miraculous transformation. Only sometimes, as, for example, in the house of the Dioscuri (Pompeii), the mosaic represents her overtaken by Apollo. But in subsequent eras, artists and sculptors illustrated only the story of Ovid that has come down to posterity. It is in the miniature illustrations for the Metamorphoses that the plot of Apollo and Daphne is encountered for the first time in European art. The painting depicts the transformation of a running girl into a laurel.

Apollo and Daphne: Sculpture and Painting in European Art

The era of the Renaissance is called so because it revived interest in Antiquity. Since the Quadrocento century (fifteenth century), the nymph and the Olympian god literally do not leave the canvases of famous masters. The most famous creation is Pollaiolo (1470-1480). His “Apollo and Daphne” is a painting depicting a god in an elegant camisole, but with bare legs, and a nymph in a flowing dress with green branches instead of fingers. This theme became even more popular in the Pursuit of Apollo and the transformation of the nymph portrayed by Bernini, L. Giordano, Giorgione, G. Tiepolo and even Jan Brueghel. Rubens did not shy away from this frivolous theme. In the Rococo era, the plot was no less fashionable.

Apollo and Daphne by Bernini

It is hard to believe that this marble sculptural group is the work of an aspiring master. However, when the work graced the Roman residence of Cardinal Borghese in 1625, Giovanni was only twenty-six. The two-figure composition is very compact. Apollo almost overtook Daphne. The nymph is still full of movement, but the metamorphosis is already taking place: foliage appears in fluffy hair, velvety skin is covered with bark. Apollo, and after him the viewer, sees that the prey is escaping. The master skillfully transforms marble into a flowing mass. And we, looking at the sculptural group "Apollo and Daphne" by Bernini, forget that in front of us is a block of stone. The figures are so plastic, so directed upward that it seems they are made of ether. The characters don't seem to touch the ground. To justify the presence of this strange group in the house of a clergyman, Cardinal Barberini wrote an explanation: "Anyone who seeks the pleasure of fleeting beauty runs the risk of finding himself with palms full of bitter berries and leaves."

At that very wonderful moment, when, proud of his victory, Apollo stood over the monster Python he had slain, he suddenly saw not far from him a young rascal, the god of love, Eros. The prankster laughed merrily and also pulled on his golden bow. The mighty Apollo grinned and said to the kid:

- What do you need, child, such a formidable weapon? Let's do this: each of us will do our own thing. You go and play, and let me send the golden arrows. These are the ones I just slew this vicious monster. How can you equal me, archer?
Offended, Eros decided to punish the arrogant god. He slyly narrowed his eyes and answered the proud Apollo:
- Yes, I know, Apollo, that your arrows never miss. But even you can't escape my arrow.
Eros waved his golden wings and in the blink of an eye flew up to the high Parnassus. There he drew two golden arrows from his quiver. One arrow, wounding the heart and causing love, he sent to Apollo. And with another arrow that rejects love, he pierced the heart of Daphne, a young nymph, daughter of the river god Peneus. The little rascal did his evil deed and, fluttering with openwork wings, flew on. Time passed. Apollo had already forgotten about his meeting with the prankster Eros. He already had a lot to do. And Daphne continued to live as if nothing had happened. She still ran with her nymph friends through flowering meadows, played, had fun and did not know any worries. Many young gods sought the love of a golden-haired nymph, but she refused everyone. She didn't let any of them get close. Her father, old Peneus, was already saying to his daughter more and more often:
“When will you bring my son-in-law to me, my daughter?” When will you give me grandchildren?
But Daphne only laughed merrily and answered her father:
“Don't force me, my dear father. I don't love anyone and I don't need anyone. I want to be just like Artemis, an eternal maiden.
The wise Peneus could not understand in any way what had happened to his daughter. And the beautiful nymph herself did not know that the insidious Eros was to blame for everything, because it was he who wounded her in the heart with an arrow that killed love.
Once, flying over a forest glade, the radiant Apollo saw Daphne, and immediately the wound inflicted by the once insidious Eros came to life in his heart. Hot love flared up in him. Apollo quickly descended to the ground, not taking his burning eyes off the young nymph, and extended his hands to her. But Daphne, as soon as she saw the mighty young god, began to run from him as fast as she could. Amazed, Apollo rushed after his beloved.
“Stop, beautiful nymph,” he called to her, “why are you running away from me like a lamb from a wolf?” So the dove flies away from the eagle and the deer runs away from the lion. But I do love you. Be careful, this place is uneven, don't fall, I beg you. You hurt your leg, stop.
But the beautiful nymph does not stop, and Apollo implores her again and again:
- You yourself do not know, proud nymph, from whom you are running. After all, I'm Apollo, the son of Zeus, and not a simple mortal shepherd. Many call me a healer, but no one can heal my love for you.
In vain did Apollo cry out to the beautiful Daphne. She rushed forward, not understanding the road and not listening to his calls. Her clothes fluttered in the wind, her golden curls scattered. Her tender cheeks glowed a scarlet blush. Daphne became even more beautiful, and Apollo could not stop. He quickened his pace and was already overtaking her. Daphne felt his breath behind her, and she prayed to her father Peneus:
“Father, my dear! Help me. Part, earth, take me to you. Change my appearance, it causes me nothing but suffering.
As soon as she uttered these words, she felt that her whole body was numb, the tender girlish chest was covered with a thin crust. Her hands and fingers turned into branches of flexible laurel, green leaves rustled instead of hair on her head, light legs rooted into the ground. Apollo touched the trunk with his hand and felt his tender body still trembling under the fresh bark. He hugs a slender tree, kisses it, strokes the flexible branches. But even the tree does not want his kisses and avoids him.
For a long time, the saddened Apollo stood next to the proud laurel, and finally said sadly:
“You did not want to accept my love and become my wife, beautiful Daphne. Then you will become my tree. May the wreath of your leaves always adorn my head. And may your greenery never wither. Stay forever green!
And the laurel rustled softly in response to Apollo and, as if agreeing with him, bowed its green top.
Since then, Apollo fell in love with shady groves, where, among the emerald greenery, evergreen proud laurels stretched towards the light. Accompanied by his beautiful companions, young muses, he wandered here with a golden lyre in his hands. Often he came to his beloved laurel and, sadly bowing his head, fingered the melodious strings of his cithara. The enchanting sounds of music reverberated through the surrounding forests, and everything died down in rapturous attention.
But not for long Apollo enjoyed a carefree life. One day the great Zeus called him to him and said:
“You have forgotten, my son, about the order I have established. All who committed murder must be cleansed from the sin of shed blood. The sin of killing Python hangs over you too.
Apollo did not argue with his great father and convince him that the villain Python himself brought a lot of suffering to people. And by the decision of Zeus, he went to distant Thessaly, where the wise and noble king Admet ruled.
Apollo began to live at the court of Admet and serve him faithfully, atoning for his sin. Admetus instructed Apollo to graze the herds and look after the cattle. And since Apollo became a shepherd to King Admetus, not a single bull from his herd has been dragged away by wild animals, and his long-maned horses have become the best in all of Thessaly.
But one day Apollo saw that Tsar Admet was sad, did not eat, did not drink, walked completely drooping. And soon the reason for his sadness became clear. It turns out that Admet fell in love with the beautiful Alcesta. This love was mutual, the young beauty also loved the noble Admet. But Father Pelius, king of Iolka, set impossible conditions. He promised to give Alcesta as a wife only to those who come to the wedding in a chariot drawn by wild animals - a lion and boars.
The dejected Admet did not know what to do. And not that he was weak or cowardly. No, King Admet was powerful and strong. But he did not even imagine how to cope with such an overwhelming task.
“Don't be sad,” Apollo said to his master. “There is nothing impossible in this world.
Apollo touched Admet's shoulder, and the king felt his muscles fill with irresistible strength. Joyful, he went into the forest, caught wild animals and calmly harnessed them to his chariot. The proud Admet rushed to the palace of Pelias on his unprecedented team, and Pelias gave his daughter Alcesta as a wife to the mighty Admet.
Apollo served for eight years with the king of Thessaly, until he finally atoned for his sin, and then returned to Delphi. Here everyone is already waiting for him. The delighted mother, the goddess Leto, rushed to meet him. The beautiful Artemis rushed from the hunt as soon as she heard that her brother had returned. He climbed to the top of Parnassus, and here he was surrounded by beautiful muses.

Apollo. The myth of Apollo, Daphne, Apollo and the Muses. N. A. Kuhn. Legends and myths of Ancient Greece

Apollo is one of the oldest gods in Greece. Traces of totemism are clearly preserved in his cult. So, for example, in Arcadia they worshiped Apollo, depicted as a ram. Apollo was originally a god who guarded the flocks. Gradually, he became more and more a god of light. Later, he was considered the patron saint of immigrants, the patron saint of Greek colonies being founded, and then the patron saint of art, poetry and music. Therefore, in Moscow, on the building of the Bolshoi Academic Theater there is a statue of Apollo with a lyre in his hands, riding a chariot drawn by four horses. In addition, Apollo became a god predicting the future. Throughout the ancient world, his sanctuary at Delphi was famous, where the Pythian priestess gave predictions. These predictions, of course, were made by the priests, who knew well everything that was done in Greece, and they were made in such a way that they could be interpreted in one direction or the other. It was known in antiquity that the prediction given at Delphi to the king of Lydia Croesus during his war with Persia. He was told: “If you cross the river Halys, you will destroy a great kingdom,” but which kingdom, his own or Persian, this was not said.

Birth of Apollo

The god of light, the golden-haired Apollo, was born on the island of Delos. His mother Latona, driven by the wrath of the goddess Hera, could not find shelter anywhere. Pursued by the dragon Python sent by the Hero, she wandered all over the world and finally took refuge on Delos, which at that time was rushing along the waves of a stormy sea. As soon as Latona entered Delos, huge pillars rose from the depths of the sea and stopped this deserted island. He stood firm in the place where he still stands today. All around Delos the sea roared. The cliffs of Delos rose despondently, bare without the slightest vegetation. Only sea gulls found shelter on these rocks and announced them with their sad cry. But then the god of light Apollo was born, and streams of bright light spilled everywhere. Like gold, they poured the rocks of Delos. Everything around bloomed, sparkled: the coastal cliffs, and Mount Kint, and the valley, and the sea. The goddesses gathered on Delos loudly praised the born god, offering him ambrosia and nectar. All nature around rejoiced along with the goddesses. (Myth about Apollo)

Apollo vs Python
and the founding of the Delphic oracle

Young, radiant Apollo rushed across the azure sky with a cithara (Ancient Greek stringed musical instrument similar to a lyre) in his hands, with a silver bow over his shoulders; golden arrows jingled loudly in his quiver. Proud, jubilant, Apollo rushed high above the earth, threatening all evil, all generated by darkness. He aspired to where the formidable Python lived, pursuing his mother Latona; he wanted to take revenge on him for all the evil that he had done to her.
Apollo quickly reached the gloomy gorge, the dwelling of Python. Rocks rose all around, reaching high into the sky. Darkness reigned in the gorge. A mountain stream, gray with foam, was swiftly rushing along its bottom, and mists swirled above the stream. The terrible Python crawled out of its lair. Its huge body, covered with scales, twisted between the rocks in countless rings. Rocks and mountains trembled from the weight of his body and moved. Furious Python betrayed everything, he spread death all around. Nymphs and all living things fled in horror. Python rose up, mighty, furious, opened his terrible mouth and was ready to devour the golden-haired Apollo. Then there was a ringing of the bowstring of a silver bow, as a spark flashed in the air, a golden arrow that did not know a miss, followed by another, a third; arrows rained down on Python, and he fell lifeless to the ground. The triumphant victorious song (pean) of the golden-haired Apollo, the winner of Python, sounded loudly, and the golden strings of the cithara of the god echoed it. Apollo buried the body of Python in the ground where the sacred Delphi stands, and founded a sanctuary and an oracle in Delphi in order to prophesy the will of his father Zeus to people in it.
From a high shore, far out to sea, Apollo saw the ship of the Cretan sailors. Under the guise of a dolphin, he rushed into the blue sea, overtook the ship and, like a radiant star, flew up from the sea waves to its stern. Apollo brought the ship to the pier of the city of Chrisa (City on the coast of the Corinthian Gulf, which served as a harbor for Delphi) and through the fertile valley led the Cretan sailors, playing on the golden cithara, to Delphi. He made them the first priests of his sanctuary. (Myth about Apollo)

Daphne

Based on the poem "Metamorphoses" by Ovid

The bright, joyful god Apollo knows sadness, and grief befell him. He knew grief shortly after defeating Python. When Apollo, proud of his victory, stood over the monster slain by his arrows, he saw near him the young god of love Eros, pulling his golden bow. Laughing, Apollo said to him:
- What do you need, child, such a formidable weapon? Leave it to me to send out the smashing golden arrows with which I just killed Python. Are you equal in glory with me, the archer? Do you want to achieve more fame than me?
The offended Eros proudly answered Apollo: (The myth of Apollo)
- Your arrows, Phoebus-Apollo, do not know a miss, they smash everyone, but my arrow will hit you.

Eros waved his golden wings and in the blink of an eye flew up to the high Parnassus. There he took out two arrows from the quiver: one - wounding the heart and causing love, he pierced the heart of Apollo with it, the other - killing love, he launched it into the heart of the nymph Daphne, daughter of the river god Peneus.
Once I met the beautiful Daphne Apollo and fell in love with her. But as soon as Daphne saw the golden-haired Apollo, she started to run with the speed of the wind, because the arrow of Eros, which kills love, pierced her heart. The silver-eyed god hurried after her.
- Stop, beautiful nymph, - cried Apollo, - why are you running from me, like a lamb pursued by a wolf, Like a dove fleeing from an eagle, you rush! After all, I'm not your enemy! Look, you hurt your legs on the sharp thorns of the blackthorn. Oh wait, stop! After all, I am Apollo, the son of the Thunderer Zeus, and not a simple mortal shepherd,
But the beautiful Daphne ran faster and faster. As if on wings, Apollo rushes after her. He is getting closer. Now it's coming! Daphne feels his breath. The strength leaves her. Daphne prayed to her father Peneus:
- Father Peney, help me! Part quickly, earth, and devour me! Oh, take away this image from me, it causes me only suffering!
As soon as she said this, her limbs immediately became numb. The bark covered her delicate body, her hair turned into foliage, and her hands raised to the sky turned into branches. For a long time, sad Apollo stood before the laurel and, finally, said:
“Let a wreath of only your greenery decorate my head, let from now on you decorate with your leaves both my cithara and my quiver. May your greenery never wither, O laurel, Stay forever green!
And the laurel quietly rustled in response to Apollo with its thick branches and, as if in a sign of consent, bowed its green top.

Apollo at Admet

Apollo had to be cleansed from the sin of the spilled blood of Python. After all, he himself cleanses the people who committed the murder. By the decision of Zeus, he retired to Thessaly to the beautiful and noble king Admet. There he pastured the flocks of the king, and by this service atoned for his sin. When Apollo played in the middle of the pasture on a reed flute or on a golden cithara, wild animals came out of the forest thicket, enchanted by his game. Panthers and ferocious lions walked peacefully among the herds. Deer and chamois ran to the sound of the flute. Peace and joy reigned all around. Prosperity settled in the house of Admet; no one had such fruits, his horses and herds were the best in all of Thessaly. All this was given to him by the golden-haired god. Apollo helped Admet get the hand of the daughter of Tsar Iolk Pelias, Alcesta. Her father promised to give her as a wife only to one who would be able to harness a lion and a bear to his chariot. Then Apollo endowed his favorite Admet with irresistible power, and he fulfilled this task of Pelias. Apollo served with Admet for eight years and, having completed his expiatory service, returned to Delphi.
Apollo lives in Delphi during spring and summer. When autumn comes, the flowers wither and the leaves on the trees turn yellow, when the cold winter is already close, covering the peak of Parnassus with snow, then Apollo, on his chariot drawn by snow-white swans, is carried away to the country of the Hyperboreans, which does not know winter, to the country of eternal spring. He lives there all winter. When everything in Delphi turns green again, when flowers bloom under the life-giving breath of spring and cover the valley of Chrisa with a motley carpet, the golden-haired Apollo returns to Delphi on his swans to prophesy to people the will of the thunderer Zeus. Then in Delphi they celebrate the return of the god-soothsayer Apollo from the country of the Hyperboreans. All spring and summer he lives in Delphi, he visits his homeland Delos, where he also has a magnificent sanctuary.

Apollo and the Muses

In spring and summer, on the slopes of the wooded Helikon, where the sacred waters of the Hippocrene spring mysteriously murmur, and on high Parnassus, near the clear waters of the Kastalsky spring, Apollo leads a round dance with nine muses. Young, beautiful muses, daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne (Goddess of memory), are the constant companions of Apollo. He leads the choir of muses and accompanies their singing by playing on his golden cithara. Apollo walks majestically ahead of the choir of muses, crowned with a laurel wreath, followed by all nine muses: Calliope - the muse of epic poetry, Euterpe - the muse of lyrics, Erato - the muse of love songs, Melpomene - the muse of tragedy, Thalia - the muse of comedy, Terpsichore - the muse of dancing, Clio is the muse of history, Urania is the muse of astronomy and Polyhymnia is the muse of sacred hymns. Their choir thunders solemnly, and all nature, as if enchanted, listens to their divine singing. (Myth Apollo and the Muses)
When Apollo, accompanied by the Muses, appears in the host of the gods on the bright Olympus and the sounds of his cithara and the singing of the Muses are heard, then everything on Olympus falls silent. Ares forgets about the noise of bloody battles, lightning does not flash in the hands of Zeus, the cloudmaker, the gods forget strife, peace and silence reign on Olympus. Even the eagle of Zeus lowers its mighty wings and closes its keen eyes, its menacing scream is not heard, it quietly slumbers on the rod of Zeus. In complete silence, the strings of the cithara of Apollo solemnly sound. When Apollo cheerfully strikes the golden strings of the cithara, then a bright, shining round dance moves in the banquet hall of the gods. The Muses, Charites, the eternally young Aphrodite, Ares and Hermes - all participate in a merry round dance, and the majestic maiden, the sister of Apollo, the beautiful Artemis, is in front of everyone. Filled with streams of golden light, the young gods dance to the sounds of Apollo's kithara. (Myth Apollo and the Muses)

Sons of Aloe

The far-reaching Apollo is terrible in his anger, and then his golden arrows do not know mercy. Many were struck by them. Proud of their strength, who did not want to obey anyone, the sons of Aloe, Ot and Ephialtes, died from them. Already in early childhood they were famous for their enormous growth, their strength and courage that knew no barriers. While still young men, they began to threaten the Olympian gods Ot and Ephialtes:
- Oh, just let us grow up, just let us reach the full measure of our supernatural strength. We will then pile on top of Mount Olympus, Pelion and Ossa (The greatest mountains in Greece on the coast of the Aegean Sea, in Thessaly) and ascend them to heaven. We will then steal from you, Olympians, Hera and Artemis.
So, like the titans, the rebellious sons of Aloe threatened the Olympians. They would carry out their threat. After all, they bound Ares, the formidable god of war, with chains; for thirty whole months he languished in a copper dungeon. For a long time, Ares, insatiable scolding, would have languished in captivity if the quick Hermes had not kidnapped him, deprived of his strength. Mighty were Ot and Ephialtes. Apollo did not bear their threats. The far-striking god pulled his silver bow; like sparks of flame, his golden arrows flashed in the air, and Ot and Ephialtes, pierced by arrows, fell.

Marsyas

Apollo severely punished the Phrygian satyr Marsyas because Marsyas dared to compete with him in music. Kifared (That is, playing the cithara) Apollo did not bear such impudence. Once, wandering through the fields of Phrygia, Marsyas found a reed flute. She was abandoned by the goddess Athena, noticing that playing the flute invented by herself disfigures her divinely beautiful face. Athena cursed her invention and said:
- Let the one who raises this flute be severely punished.
Knowing nothing of what Athena said, Marsyas picked up the flute and soon learned to play it so well that everyone heard this unpretentious music. Marsyas became proud and challenged Apollo, the patron of music, to a contest.
Apollo came to the call in a long lush mantle, in a laurel wreath and with a golden cithara in his hands.
How insignificant appeared before the majestic, beautiful Apollo, the inhabitant of the forests and fields Marsyas with his miserable reed flute! How could he extract from the flute such marvelous sounds as flew from the golden strings of the cithara of Apollo, the leader of the Muses! Apollo won. Enraged by the challenge, he ordered the unfortunate Marsyas to be hung by the hands and skinned from him alive. So paid Marsyas for his courage. And the skin of Marsyas was hung in the grotto near Kelen in Phrygia and later they said that she always began to move, as if dancing, when the sounds of the Phrygian reed flute flew into the grotto, and remained motionless when the majestic sounds of the cithara were heard.

Asclepius (Aesculapius)

But Apollo is not only an avenger, not only does he send death with his golden arrows; he heals diseases. The son of Apollo, Asclepius, is the god of doctors and medical art. The wise centaur Chiron raised Asclepius on the slopes of Pelion. Under his guidance, Asclepius became such a skilled physician that he surpassed even his teacher Chiron. Asclepius not only healed all diseases, but even brought the dead back to life. By this he angered the ruler of the kingdom of the dead Hades and the Thunderer Zeus, as he violated the law and order established by Zeus on earth. Enraged, Zeus threw his lightning bolt and struck Asclepius. But people deified the son of Apollo as a god of healing. They erected many sanctuaries for him, among them the famous sanctuary of Asclepius at Epidaurus.
Apollo was honored throughout Greece. The Greeks revered him as a god of light, a god who cleanses a person from the filth of spilled blood, as a god who prophesies the will of his father Zeus, who punishes, sends diseases and heals them. He was revered by the Greek youths as their patron. Apollo is the patron saint of navigation, he helps to found new colonies and cities. Artists, poets, singers and musicians are under the special patronage of the leader of the choir of muses, Apollo-kyfared. Apollo is equal to Zeus the Thunderer himself in terms of the worship that the Greeks paid him.