APOLLO APOLLO READ ABOUT ALL THE GREEK GODS AND GODDESSES IN THIS SERIES GOD OF THE SUN, HEALING, MUSIC, AND POETRY AND MUSIC, HEALING, SUN, THE OF GOD APOLLOGOD OF THE SUN, HEALING, MUSIC, AND POETRY APHRODITE APOLLO ARES GODDESS OF LOVE GOD OF THE SUN, HEALING, GOD OF WAR AND BEAUTY MUSIC, AND POETRY A RTEMIS ATHENA EROS GODDESS OF HUNTING AND GODDESS OF WISDOM, GOD OF LOVE PROTECTOR OF ANIMALS WAR, AND CRAFTS HADES HEPHAESTUS HERA GOD OF THE GOD OF FIRE, METALWORK, QUEEN OF THE GODS, UNDERWORLD AND BUILDING GODDESS OF MARRIAGE / SQUIER TEMPLE HERMES POSEIDON ZEUS GOD OF TRAVELS GOD OF THE SEA KING OF THE GODS, GOD AND TRADE AND EARTHQUAKES OF SKY AND STORMS BY TERI TEMPLE ILLUSTRATED BY ROBERT SQUIER APOLLOGOD OF THE SUN, HEALING, MUSIC, AND POETRY BY TERI TEMPLE ILLUSTRATED BY ROBERT SQUIER Published by The Child’s World® 1980 Lookout Drive • Mankato, MN 56003-1705 800-599-READ • www.childsworld.com Copyright © 2020 by The Child’s World® All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means without written permission from the publisher. ISBN 9781503832527 LCCN 2018957537 Printed in the United States of America About the Author Teri Temple is a former elementary school teacher who now travels the country as an event coordinator. She developed a love for mythology as a fifth-grade student following a unit in class on Greek and Roman history. Teri likes to spend her free time hanging out with her family, biking, hiking, and reading. She lives in Minnesota with her husband and their golden retriever, Buddy. About the Illustrator Robert Squier has illustrated dozens of books for children. He enjoys drawing almost anything, but he really loves drawing dinosaurs and mythological beasts. Robert Squier lives in New Hampshire with his wife, son, and a puggle named Q. CONTENTS INTRODUCTION, 5 CHARACTERS AND PLACES, 6 THE GOD OF MANY TALENTS, 8 PRINCIPAL GODS OF GREEK MYTHOLOGY: A FAMILY TREE, 30 THE ROMAN GODS, 31 FURTHER INFORMATION, 32 INDEX, 32 4 INTRODUCTION ong ago in ancient Greece and such as earthquakes and storms. Rome, most people believed People believed the tales, which over L that gods and goddesses ruled time became myths. their world. Storytellers shared the The ancient Greeks and Romans adventures of these gods to help worshiped the gods by building explain all the mysteries of life. The temples and statues in their honor. gods were immortal, They felt the gods meaning they lived Ancient Greek Societies would protect and forever. Their stories guide them. People In ancient Greece, cities, were full of love and passed down the towns, and their surrounding tragedy, fearsome myths through the farmlands were called monsters, brave heroes, generations by word city-states. These city- and struggles for of mouth. Later, states each had their own power. The storytellers famous poets such as governments. They made wove aspects of Greek Homer and Hesiod their own laws. The individual customs and beliefs wrote them down. city-states were very into the tales. Some Today, these myths independent. They never stories told of the give us a unique look joined to become one whole creation of the world at what life was like nation. They did, however, and the origins of the in ancient Greece share a common language, gods. Others helped more than 2,000 religion, and culture. explain natural events years ago. 5 Mount olyMpus The mountaintop home of the 12 Olympic gods Aegean Sea Delphi, Greece A town in ancient Greece; home to Apollo’s temple Mediterranean Sea Sea of Crete A NCIENT REECE G C RETE CHARACTERS AND PLACES 6 Apollo (a-POL-lo) ArteMis (AHR-tuh-mis) Asclepius cyclopes (SIGH-clopes) God of sun, music, healing, Goddess of the (as-KLEE-pee-uhs) One-eyed giants; children and prophecy; son of Zeus hunt and the moon; God of medicine; son of of Gaea and Uranus and Leto; twin to Artemis daughter of Zeus and Apollo; killed by Zeus Leto; twin to Apollo DAphne (DAF-nee) GAeA (JEE-uh) herA (HEER-uh) herMes (HUR-meez) leto (LEE-toh) Nymph who was Mother Earth and one Queen of the gods; Messenger to the Titan goddess; wife transformed into a laurel of the first elements married to Zeus gods; god of travel and of Zeus; mother of tree to escape Apollo born to Chaos; mother trade; son of Zeus Apollo and Artemis of the Titans, Cyclopes, and Hecatoncheires MArsyAs (MAHR-see-uhs) Midas (MY-duhs) Satyr who lost a music A king in ancient Greece contest against Apollo known for his foolishness olyMpiAn GoDs Demeter, Hermes, Hephaestus, Aphrodite, Ares, Hera, Zeus, Poseidon, Athena, Apollo, Artemis, and Dionysus Muses (MYOOZ-ez) orAcle of Delphi phAeton (FAY-uh-thuhn) Zeus (ZOOS) Supreme The nine sister (AWR-uh-kuhl of DEL-fy) Son of Helios; lost control ruler of the heavens goddesses of the arts; A priestess who delivered driving the chariot and weather and of the titAns (TIE-tinz) attendants of Apollo the prophecies of Apollo of the sun and was gods who lived on Mount The 12 children of struck down by Zeus Olympus; youngest son Gaea and Cronus; of Cronus and Rhea; godlike giants that married to Hera; father of are said to represent many gods and heroes the forces of nature 7 THE GOD OF MANY TALENTS pollo was a very powerful She did not like sharing Zeus. So god in ancient Greece Zeus often snuck behind Hera’s A and Rome. He was the back to see his other wives and the only god whose name was the same beautiful maidens on Earth. in both cultures. But Apollo’s story When Hera discovered that almost ended at his birth. Zeus had married the Titan Leto, Mount Olympus was the she was unhappy. Then she found mountaintop home of the Olympic out Leto was expecting twins. Hera gods. Hidden behind the clouds, was furious. She came up with a the gods watched over the heavens plan to get revenge. Hera made it so and Earth. It should have been a Leto would not find shelter any- paradise. But things are not always where on Earth. Then she sent her as they seem. serpent, Python, after Leto. With Zeus was the king of the gods. no place to rest, Leto was chased He loved his beautiful wife, Hera, from country to country. She but he wanted more wives and thought she would never find a safe children. Hera was a jealous wife. place to give birth to her twins. 8 9 28 Apollo was the image of the they came to honor the god Apollo. ideal man. He was smart, kind, To the ancient peoples, Apollo youthful, and handsome. He was connected man with the gods. a gifted archer, Apollo could guide them, help them musician, and Delphi, Greece healer. He could make peace with Delphi was a town in ancient also tell the future. Greece. It was located on the gods, and grant It is no wonder he the southern side of Mount them pardon. became a symbol Parnassus. Delphi was home Apollo was a to the Oracle of Delphi. of perfection to the respected and loved It was sacred to the god ancient Greeks. The Apollo. It was also the oldest god. He lives on Oracle of Delphi was and most influential religious through the stories considered to be the site in Greece. Inscribed on and myths of the Apollo’s temple there are the center of the world. ancient Greeks famous expressions “Know Pilgrims came from and Romans who Thyself” and “Nothing in many countries to Excess.” Only remains of the honored him. seek answers. But temple can be seen today. more importantly 29 PRINCIPAL GODS OF GREEK MYTHOLOGY A FAMILY TREE eros Ares hebe hephAestus AthenA persephone Apollo ArteMis herMes AphroDite Zeus MAiA Zeus Dione poseiDon hades hestiA herA Zeus DeMeter AtlAs proMetheus epiMetheus iApetus leto Zeus cronus rheA coeus phoebe oceAnus tethys GAeA urAnus (Earth) (Heaven) 30 THE ROMAN GODS s the Roman Empire expanded by conquering new lands, the Romans often took on aspects of the customs and beliefs of the people they A conquered. From the ancient Greeks they took their arts and sciences. They also adopted many of their gods and the myths that went with them into their religious beliefs. While the names were changed, the stories and legends found a new home. ZEUS: Jupiter ARTEMIS: Diana King of the Gods, God of Sky and Storms Goddess of Hunting and Protector of Symbols: Eagle and Thunderbolt Animals Symbols: Stag and Moon HERA: Juno Queen of the Gods, Goddess of Marriage APOLLO: Apollo Symbols: Peacock, Cow, and Crow God of the Sun, Healing, Music, and Poetry Symbols: Laurel, Lyre, Bow, and Raven POSEIDON: Neptune God of the Sea and Earthquakes HEPHAESTUS: Vulcan Symbols: Trident, Horse, and Dolphin God of Fire, Metalwork, and Building Symbols: Fire, Hammer, and Donkey HADES: Pluto God of the Underworld APHRODITE: Venus Symbols: Helmet, Metals, and Jewels Goddess of Love and Beauty Symbols: Dove, Sparrow, Swan, and Myrtle ATHENA: Minerva Goddess of Wisdom, War, and Crafts EROS: Cupid Symbols: Owl, Shield, and Olive Branch God of Love Symbols: Quiver and Arrows ARES: Mars God of War HERMES: Mercury Symbols: Vulture and Dog God of Travels and Trade Symbols: Staff, Winged Sandals, and Helmet 31 FURTHER INFORMATION BOOKS WEBSITES Baby Professor. Apollo’s Deadly Bow and Visit our website for links about Apollo: Arrow. Newark, DE: Speedy Publishing, 2017. childsworld.com/links Napoli, Donna Jo. Treasury of Greek Note to Parents, Teachers, and Librarians: We routinely verify our Mythology: Classic Stories of Gods, Goddesses, Web links to make sure they are safe and active sites.