Myths of ancient Greece Daphne summary. Daphne - Myths of Ancient Greece. The struggle between Apollo and Python and the foundation of the Delphic Oracle

Boris Vallejo - Apollo and Daphne

When the bright god Apollo, proud of his victory over Python, stood over the monster killed 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? It’s better for me to send the smashing golden arrows with which I just killed Python. Can you be equal in glory to me, Arrowhead? Do you really want to achieve greater glory than me?
The offended Eros proudly answered Apollo:
- Your arrows, Phoebus-Apollo, do not miss, they strike everyone, but my arrow will strike you too.
Eros flapped his golden wings and in the blink of an eye flew up to high Parnassus. There he took two arrows from the quiver: one - wounding the heart and evoking love, with which he pierced the heart of Apollo, the other - killing love, he shot into the heart of the nymph Daphne, daughter of the river god Peneus and the earth goddess Gaia.

Apollo and Daphne - Bernini

Once he met the beautiful Daphne Apollo and fell in love with her. But as soon as Daphne saw the golden-haired Apollo, she began to run with the speed of the wind, because the arrow of Eros, killing love, pierced her heart. The silver-bowed god hurried after her.
“Stop, beautiful nymph,” he cried, “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 feet on the sharp thorns of the thorns. Oh wait, stop! After all, I am Apollo, the son of the thunderer Zeus, and not a mere mortal shepherd.
But the beautiful Daphne runs faster and faster. As if on wings, Apollo rushes after her. He's getting closer. It's about to catch up! Daphne feels his breath, but her strength leaves her. Daphne prayed to her father Peneus:
- Father Penei, help me! Make way quickly, Mother Earth, and swallow me up! Oh, take this image away from me, it causes me nothing but suffering!

Apollo and Daphne (Jakob Auer)

As soon as she said this, her limbs immediately went numb. The bark covered her tender body, her hair turned into leaves, and her arms raised to the sky turned into branches.

Apollo and Daphne - Carlo Maratti, 1681

Sad Apollo stood for a long time in front of the laurel and finally said:
- Let a wreath of only your greenery adorn my head, let you from now on decorate both my cithara and my quiver with your leaves. May your greenery never wither, O laurel, remain forever green!
The laurel quietly rustled in response to Apollo with its thick branches and, as if in agreement, bowed its green top.
-
Kuhn N.A., Neihardt A.A. “Legends and myths of Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome” - St. Petersburg: Litera, 1998

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

Apollo is one of the most ancient gods of Greece. Traces of totemism were clearly preserved in his cult. For example, in Arcadia they worshiped Apollo, depicted as a ram. Apollo was originally a god who guarded flocks. Gradually he became more and more the god of light. He was later considered the patron of settlers, the patron of the founding Greek colonies, and then the patron of art, poetry and music. That is why 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 the god who predicted the future. Throughout the ancient world, his sanctuary in Delphi was famous, where the Pythia priestess gave predictions. These predictions, of course, were made by priests who knew well everything that was happening in Greece, and they were made in such a way that they could be interpreted in either direction. In ancient times, it was known that the prediction given in Delphi to King Croesus of Lydia during his war with Persia. They told him: “If you cross the Halys River, you will destroy the great kingdom,” but which kingdom, your own or the Persian, this was not said.

Birth of Apollo

The god of light, 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 for herself anywhere. Pursued by the dragon Python sent by Hera, she wandered all over the world and finally took refuge in 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 became unshakable in the place where he still stands. All around Delos the sea roared. The cliffs of Delos rose sadly, bare without the slightest vegetation. Only sea gulls found shelter on these rocks and filled them with their sad cry. But then the god of light Apollo was born, and streams of bright light spread everywhere. They covered the rocks of Delos like gold. Everything around blossomed and sparkled: the coastal cliffs, Mount Kint, 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. (The Myth of Apollo)

Apollo's fight with Python
and the foundation of the Delphic Oracle

The 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 rang loudly in his quiver. Proud, jubilant, Apollo rushed high above the earth, threatening everything evil, everything born of darkness. He strove to where the formidable Python lived, pursuing his mother Latona; he wanted to take revenge on him for all the evil that he caused her.
Apollo quickly reached the gloomy gorge, the home of Python. Rocks rose all around, reaching high into the sky. Darkness reigned in the gorge. A mountain stream, gray with foam, rushed rapidly along its bottom, and mists swirled above the stream. The terrible Python crawled out of his lair. His huge body, covered with scales, twisted between the rocks in countless rings. Rocks and mountains trembled from the weight of his body and moved from place. The furious Python brought devastation to everything, he spread death all around. The nymphs and all living things fled in horror. Python rose, powerful, furious, opened his terrible mouth and was ready to devour the golden-haired Apollo. Then the ringing of the string of a silver bow was heard, as a spark flashed in the air of a golden arrow that could not miss, followed by another, a third; arrows rained down on Python, and he fell lifeless to the ground. The triumphant victory song (paean) of the golden-haired Apollo, the conqueror of Python, sounded loudly, and the golden strings of the god’s cithara 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 in it to people the will of his father Zeus.
From a high shore far out to sea, Apollo saw a ship of Cretan sailors. In the guise of a dolphin, he rushed into the blue sea, overtook the ship and flew up from the sea waves to its stern like a radiant star. Apollo led the ship to the pier of the city of Chris (a city on the shores of the Gulf of Corinth, which served as a harbor for Delphi) and through a fertile valley led the Cretan sailors, playing the golden cithara, to Delphi. He made them the first priests of his sanctuary. (The Myth of Apollo)

Daphne

Based on Ovid's poem "Metamorphoses"

The bright, joyful god Apollo knows sadness, and grief befell him. He experienced grief shortly after defeating Python. When Apollo, proud of his victory, stood over the monster killed 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? It’s better for me to send the smashing golden arrows with which I just killed Python. Can you be equal in glory to me, Arrowhead? Do you really want to achieve greater glory than me?
The offended Eros proudly answered Apollo: (Myth about Apollo)
- Your arrows, Phoebus-Apollo, do not miss, they strike everyone, but my arrow will strike you.

Eros flapped his golden wings and in the blink of an eye flew up to high Parnassus. There he took two arrows from the quiver: one - wounding the heart and evoking love, he pierced the heart of Apollo with it, the other - killing love, he shot it into the heart of the nymph Daphne, daughter of the river god Peneus.
Once he met the beautiful Daphne Apollo and fell in love with her. But as soon as Daphne saw the golden-haired Apollo, she began to run with the speed of the wind, because the arrow of Eros, killing love, pierced her heart. The silver-bowed 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 feet on the sharp thorns of the thorns. Oh wait, stop! After all, I am Apollo, the son of the thunderer Zeus, and not a mere mortal shepherd,
But the beautiful Daphne ran faster and faster. As if on wings, Apollo rushes after her. He's getting closer. It's about to catch up! Daphne feels his breath. Her strength is leaving her. Daphne prayed to her father Peneus:
- Father Penei, help me! Open up quickly, earth, and swallow me up! Oh, take this image away from me, it causes me nothing but suffering!
As soon as she said this, her limbs immediately went numb. The bark covered her tender body, her hair turned into leaves, and her arms raised to the sky turned into branches. Apollo stood sadly in front of the laurel for a long time and finally said:
- Let a wreath of only your greenery adorn my head, let you from now on decorate both my cithara and my quiver with your leaves. May your greenery never wither, O laurel, remain forever green!
And the laurel quietly rustled in response to Apollo with its thick branches and, as if in agreement, bowed its green top.

Apollo at Admetus

Apollo had to be cleansed from the sin of the shed blood of Python. After all, he himself cleanses the people who committed murder. By decision of Zeus, he retired to Thessaly to the beautiful and noble king Admetus. There he tended the king's flocks and with this service he atoned for his sin. When Apollo played a reed flute or a golden harp in the pasture, wild animals came out of the forest, enchanted by his playing. Panthers and fierce lions walked peacefully among the herds. Deer and chamois came running to the sound of the flute. Peace and joy reigned all around. Prosperity entered 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 Admetus get the hand of the daughter of King Iolcus Pelias, Alcesta. Her father promised to give her as a wife only to someone who would be able to harness a lion and a bear to his chariot. Then Apollo endowed his favorite Admet with invincible power, and he fulfilled this task of Pelias. Apollo served with Admetus for eight years and, having completed his sin-atonement service, returned to Delphi.
Apollo lives in Delphi during the 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 top of Parnassus with snow, then Apollo, in his chariot drawn by snow-white swans, is carried away to the land of the Hyperboreans, which knows no winter, to the land 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 Chris with a colorful carpet, 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 soothsayer god Apollo from the country of the Hyperboreans. All spring and summer he lives in Delphi, he also 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 Castalian spring, Apollo dances with nine muses. Young, beautiful muses, daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne (Goddess of Memory), are Apollo's constant companions. He leads the choir of muses and accompanies their singing by playing his golden lyre. 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 lyric poetry, 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 gods on 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 sparkle in the hands of the cloud suppressor Zeus, the gods forget strife, peace and silence reign on Olympus. Even the eagle of Zeus lowers its mighty wings and closes its watchful eyes, its menacing screech is not heard, it quietly dozes on the rod of Zeus. In complete silence, the strings of Apollo's cithara sound solemnly. When Apollo cheerfully strikes the golden strings of the cithara, then a bright, shining round dance moves in the banquet hall of the gods. Muses, Charites, the eternally young Aphrodite, Ares and Hermes - everyone takes part in a merry round dance, and in front of everyone is the majestic maiden, Apollo’s sister, the beautiful Artemis. Flooded with streams of golden light, the young gods dance to the sounds of Apollo's cithara. (Myth Apollo and the Muses)

Sons of Aloe

The far-reaching Apollo is menacing in his anger, and then his golden arrows know no mercy. They amazed many. The sons of Aloe, Ot and Ephialtes, who were proud of their strength and did not want to obey anyone, perished 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 mature, just let us achieve the full measure of our supernatural power. We will then pile Mount Olympus, Pelion and Ossa on top of each other (the greatest mountains in Greece on the Aegean coast, in Thessaly) and ascend them to heaven. We will then kidnap Hera and Artemis from you, Olympians.
Thus, like the Titans, the rebellious sons of Aloe threatened the Olympians. They would carry out their threat. After all, they chained the formidable war god Ares, and he languished in a copper prison for thirty months. Ares, insatiable with battle, would have languished in captivity for a long time if the swift Hermes had not kidnapped him, deprived of his strength. Ot and Ephialtes were powerful. Apollo did not bear with 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 the arrows, fell.

Marsyas

Apollo cruelly punished the Phrygian satyr Marsyas because Marsyas dared to compete with him in music. Cyfared (that is, playing the cithara) Apollo did not tolerate such insolence. One day, wandering through the fields of Phrygia, Marsyas found a reed flute. The goddess Athena abandoned her, noticing that playing the flute she had invented was disfiguring her divinely beautiful face. Athena cursed her invention and said:
- Let the one who picks up this flute be severely punished.
Not knowing anything about what Athena said, Marsyas picked up the flute and soon learned to play it so well that everyone listened to this simple music. Marsyas became proud and challenged the patron of music, Apollo, to a competition.
Apollo came to the call in a long, lush robe, a laurel wreath and a golden cithara in his hands.
How insignificant the forest and field dweller Marsyas with his pathetic reed flute seemed before the majestic, beautiful Apollo! How could he extract from the flute such wondrous sounds as those that flew from the golden strings of the cithara of the leader of the muses, Apollo! Apollo won. Angered by the challenge, he ordered the unfortunate Marsyas to be hanged by the hands and flayed alive. This is how Marsyas paid for his courage. And the skin of Marsyas was hung in a grotto near Kelen in Phrygia and they later said that it always began to move, as if dancing, when the sounds of the Phrygian reed flute reached the grotto, and remained motionless when the majestic sounds of the cithara were heard.

Asclepius (Aesculapius)

But Apollo is not only an avenger, he does not only 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 leadership, 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, since he violated the law and order established by Zeus on earth. An angry Zeus threw his lightning and struck Asclepius. But people deified the son of Apollo as a healing god. They erected many sanctuaries for him, and among them the famous sanctuary of Asclepius at Epidaurus.
Apollo was revered throughout Greece. The Greeks revered him as the god of light, a god who cleanses man from the filth of shed blood, as a god who prophesies the will of his father Zeus, punishes, sends diseases and heals them. The Greek youths revered him as their patron. Apollo is the patron saint of navigation; he helps found new colonies and cities. Artists, poets, singers and musicians stand under the special patronage of the leader of the choir of muses, Apollo the Cyfared. Apollo is equal to Zeus the Thunderer himself in the worship that the Greeks paid him.

Ancient Greek mythology is rich in interesting characters. In addition to the gods and their offspring, legends describe the fates of mere mortals and those whose lives were connected with divine creatures.

Origin story

According to legend, Daphne is a mountain nymph born in the union of the earth goddess Gaia and the river god Peneus. In "Metamorphoses" he explains that Daphne was born to the nymph Creusa after a romantic relationship with Peneus.

This author adhered to the myth that he fell in love with a lovely girl after being pierced by the arrow of Eros. The beauty did not reciprocate his feelings, since the other end of the arrow made her indifferent to love. Hiding from the persecution of God, Daphne turned to her parent for help, who turned her into a laurel tree.

According to another writer, Pausanias, the daughter of Gaia and the god of rivers Ladon, was transported by her mother to the island of Crete, and a laurel appeared in the place where she was. Tormented by unrequited love, Apollo wove himself a wreath from tree branches.

Greek mythology is famous for its variability of interpretations, so modern readers also know the third myth, according to which Apollo and Leucippus, the son of the ruler Oenomaus, were in love with the girl. The prince, dressed in a woman's dress, pursued the girl. Apollo bewitched him, and the young man went swimming with the girls. For deceiving the nymphs they killed the prince.

Due to the fact that Daphne is associated with a plant, her independent destiny in mythology is limited. It is unknown whether the girl subsequently became human. In most references, she is associated with an attribute that accompanies Apollo everywhere. The origin of the name is rooted in the depths of history. From Hebrew the meaning of the name was translated as “laurel”.

The Myth of Apollo and Daphne

Patron of the arts, music and poetry, Apollo was the son of the goddess Latona and. Jealous, the Thunderer's wife did not give the woman the opportunity to find shelter. sent a dragon named Python after her, who chased Latona until she settled on Delos. It was a harsh, uninhabited island that blossomed with the birth of Apollo and his sister. Plants appeared on the deserted shores and around the rocks, and the island was illuminated by sunlight.

Armed with a silver bow, the young man decided to take revenge on Python, who did not give his mother peace. He flew across the sky to a gloomy gorge where the dragon was located. The furious, terrible beast was ready to devour Apollo, but the god struck him with arrows. The young man buried his rival and erected an oracle and a temple at the burial site. According to legend, Delphi is located on this site today.

The prankster Eros flew not far from the battle site. The mischievous man was playing with golden arrows. One end of the arrow was decorated with a gold tip, and the other with a lead one. By boasting of his victory to the bully, Apollo incurred the wrath of Eros. The boy shot an arrow into the heart of God, whose golden tip evoked love. The second arrow with a stone tip hit the heart of the lovely nymph Daphne, depriving her of the ability to fall in love.

Seeing the beautiful girl, Apollo fell in love with her with all his heart. Daphne went on the run. God pursued her for a long time, but could not catch up with her. When Apollo came close enough that she could feel his breath, Daphne begged her father for help. To save his daughter from torment, Peneus turned her body into a laurel tree, her hands into branches, and her hair into foliage.

Seeing what his love had led to, the inconsolable Apollo hugged the tree for a long time. He decided that a laurel wreath would always accompany him in memory of his beloved.

In culture

“Daphne and Apollo” is a myth that has inspired artists of different centuries. He is one of the popular legends of the Hellenistic era. In ancient times, the plot was depicted in sculptures describing the moment of a girl’s transformation. There were mosaics that confirmed the popularity of the myth. Painters and sculptors of later times were guided by Ovid's account.

During the Renaissance, antiquity again received great attention. In the 15th century, the popular myth of the god and the nymph resonated in the paintings of painters Pollaiuolo, Bernini, Tiepolo, Bruegel and. Bernini's sculpture was placed in the cardinal's Borghese residence in 1625.

In literature, the images of Apollo and Daphne are repeatedly mentioned thanks to. In the 16th century, the works “The Princess” were written by Sax and “D.” by Beccari, based on mythological motifs. In the 16th century, Rinuccini’s play “Daphne” was set to music and, like the works of Opitz and, became an opera libretto. Inspired by the story of non-reciprocal love, musical works were written by Schutz, Scarlatti, Handel, Fuchs and.

Daphne Daphne

(Daphne, Δάφνη). The daughter of the Roman god Peneus, Apollo was captivated by her beauty and began to pursue her. She turned to the gods with a prayer for salvation and was turned into a laurel, which in Greek is called Δάφνη. Therefore this tree was dedicated to Apollo.

(Source: “A Brief Dictionary of Mythology and Antiquities.” M. Korsh. St. Petersburg, edition by A. S. Suvorin, 1894.)

(Δάφνη), “laurel”), in Greek mythology, a nymph, the daughter of the land of Gaia and the god of rivers Peneus (or Ladon). The story of Apollo's love for D. is told by Ovid. Apollo pursues D., who gave her word to maintain chastity and remain celibate, like Artemis.
D. prayed to her father for help, and the gods turned her into a laurel tree, which Apollo hugged in vain, who henceforth made the laurel his favorite and sacred plant (Ovid. Met. I 452-567). D., an ancient plant deity, entered the circle of Apollo, losing his independence and becoming an attribute of god. In Delphi, winners of competitions were given laurel wreaths (Paus. VIII 48, 2). Callimachus mentions the sacred laurel on Delos (Hymn. II 1). The Homeric hymn (II 215) reports about prophecies from the laurel tree itself. At the festival of Daphnephorius in Thebes, laurel branches were carried. Lit.:
Stechow W., Apollo und Daphne, Lpz.-V., 1932.

European drama turned to myth in the 16th century. (“Princess D.” by G. Sax; “D.” by A. Beccari, etc.). From the end 16th century after the play "D." O. Rinuccini, set to music by J. Peri, the embodiment of myth in drama is inextricably linked with music (the plays “D.” by M. Opitz, “D.” by J. de La Fontaine and others are opera librettos). Among the operas of the 17th and 18th centuries: “D.” G. Schutz; "D." A. Scarlatti; "Florindo and D." G. F. Handel; "Transformation D." I. I. Fuksa and others; in modern times - “D.” R. Strauss.
In ancient art, D. was usually depicted as being overtaken by Apollo (fresco of the House of Dioscuri in Pompeii) or turning into a laurel tree (works of plastic art). In European art, the plot was perceived in the 14th-15th centuries, first in book miniatures (illustrations to Ovid), during the Renaissance and especially the Baroque it became widespread (Giorgione, L. Giordano, J. Bruegel, N. Poussin, G. B. Tiepolo and others). The most significant of the plastic works is the marble group of P. Bernini “Apollo and D.”.

(Source: “Myths of the Peoples of the World.”)

Nymph; pursued by Apollo, who was in love with her, asked her father, the river god Peneus (according to another myth, Ladon), for help and was turned into a laurel tree.

// Garcilaso de la VEGA: “I look at Daphne, I’m dumbfounded...” // John LILY: Song of Apollo // Giambattista MARINO: “Why, tell me, oh Daphne...” // Julio CORTAZAR: Voice of Daphne // N.A . Coon: DAPHNE

(Source: “Myths of Ancient Greece. Dictionary-reference book.” EdwART, 2009.)

See what "Daphne" is in other dictionaries:

- (Greek daphne laurel). 1) plant of the family. berry; The most common type of it, growing wild in our country, is wolf pepper. 2) a nymph, the daughter of the river god Peneus and Gaia, simultaneously loved by Apollo and Leucappus; She escaped from the persecution of Apollo by turning into... ... Dictionary of foreign words of the Russian language

Nymph, wolf's bast Dictionary of Russian synonyms. Daphne noun, number of synonyms: 5 asteroid (579) wolf... Synonym dictionary

In Greek mythology, a nymph; pursued by Apollo, who was in love with her, asked her father, the river god Peneus, for help and was turned into a laurel tree... Big Encyclopedic Dictionary

Laurel. Time of occurrence: New. (common). Female Jewish names. Dictionary of meanings... Dictionary of personal names

Giovanni Battista Tiepolo. Apollo and Daphne. 1743 44. Louvre. Paris This term has its own... Wikipedia

Y; and. [Greek Daphnē] [with a capital letter] In Greek mythology: a nymph who took a vow of chastity and turned into a laurel tree to save herself from the lover Apollo who was pursuing her. * * * Daphne is a nymph in Greek mythology; persecuted... ... encyclopedic Dictionary

Daphne- (Greek Daphne) * * *in Greek mythology, a nymph, the daughter of Gaia and the river god Peneus. Pursued by Apollo, who was in love with her, she turned into a laurel. (I.A. Lisovy, K.A. Revyako. The ancient world in terms, names and titles: Dictionary reference book on ... ... Ancient world. Dictionary-reference book.

DAPHNE Dictionary-reference book on Ancient Greece and Rome, on mythology

DAPHNE- (laurel) A Greek mountain nymph who was constantly harassed by Apollo and who, in response to a plea for help, was turned into a laurel tree by Mother Earth. (During the time of the ancient Greeks, there was a famous sanctuary of Apollo in the laurel forest on... ... List of Ancient Greek names

In ancient Greek mythology, a nymph. Pursued by Apollo, who was in love with her, D. asked for help from the father of the river god Peneus, and he turned her laurel tree (Greek daphne laurel). The myth about D. was reflected in poetry (“Metamorphoses” by Ovid), in ... ... Great Soviet Encyclopedia

Books

• "Daphne, you are my joy...", K. 52/46c, Mozart Wolfgang Amadeus. Reprint sheet music edition by Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus "Daphne, deine Rosenwangen, K. 52/46c". Genres: Songs; For voice, piano; For voices with keyboard; Scores featuring the voice; Scores…

Laurels of Apollo. - Daphne's transformation. - The despair of the nymph Clytia. - Lyre and flute. - Marsyas is strong. - Marcia's punishment. - Ears of King Midas.

Laurels of Apollo

Daphne's transformation

The laurels with which poets and winners are crowned owe their origin to the transformation of the nymph Daphne into a laurel tree. The following ancient Greek myth arose about this.

Proud of the victory he has just won over Python, Apollo meets the son of Venus, Eros (Cupid, Cupid), pulling the string of his bow, and laughs at him and his arrows. Then Eros decides to take revenge on Apollo.

Eros's quiver contains various arrows: some instill love and passionate desire in the wounded, others - disgust. The God of love knows that the lovely nymph Daphne lives in the neighboring forest; Eros also knows that Apollo must pass through this forest, and he wounds the mocker with an arrow of love, and Daphne with an arrow of disgust.

As soon as Apollo saw the beautiful nymph, he immediately became inflamed with love for her and approached her to tell Daphne about his victory, hoping to thus win her heart. Seeing that Daphne was not listening to him, Apollo, wanting to seduce her at all costs, began to tell Daphne that he was the god of the sun, revered by all of Greece, the powerful son of Zeus, a healer and benefactor of the entire human race.

But the nymph Daphne, feeling disgusted with him, quickly runs away from Apollo. Daphne makes her way through the thicket of forests, jumping over stones and rocks. Apollo follows Daphne, begging her to listen to him. Finally Daphne reaches the Penea River. Daphne asks the river god, her father, to deprive her of her beauty and thereby save her from the persecution of Apollo, who she hates.

The river god Peneus heeded her requests: Daphne begins to feel how her limbs are going numb, her body is covered with bark, her hair turns into leaves, her legs grow to the ground: Daphne turned into a laurel tree. Apollo, who has come running, touches the tree and hears Daphne’s heartbeat. Apollo weaves a wreath from the branches of a laurel tree and decorates his golden lyre (kifhara) with it.

In ancient Greek the word Daphne(δάφνη) just means laurel.

Several picturesque images of Daphne's transformation have been preserved in Herculaneum.

Among the newest artists, the sculptor Coustu sculpted two beautiful statues depicting Daphne running and Apollo pursuing her. Both of these statues are in the Tuileries Gardens.

Among the painters who painted pictures on this subject were Rubens, Poussin and Carlo Maratte.

Modern researchers of ancient myths believe that Daphne personified the dawn; Therefore, the ancient Greeks, wanting to express that the dawn disappears (extinguishes) as soon as the sun appears, poetically said: the beautiful Daphne runs away as soon as Apollo wants to approach her.

The Despair of the Nymph Clytia

Apollo, in turn, rejected the love of the nymph Clytia.

Unhappy Clytia, suffering from Apollo's indifference, spent days and nights in tears, not taking any food except the dew of heaven.

Clytia's eyes were constantly fixed on the sun and followed it until sunset. Little by little, Clytia’s legs turned into roots, and her face into a sunflower flower, which still continues to turn towards the sun.

Even in the form of a sunflower, the nymph Clytia never ceases to love the radiant Apollo.

Lyre (kifhara) and flute

The lyre (kifhara) is the constant companion of Apollo, the god of harmony and poetic inspiration, and as such he bears the name of Apollo Musagete (leader of the muses) and is depicted by artists crowned with laurels in a long Ionic robe and holding a lyre in his hands.

The lyre (kifhara), just like the quiver and arrows, are the hallmarks of the god Apollo.

For the ancient Greeks, the lyre (kithara) was an instrument that personified national music, as opposed to the flute, which personified Phrygian music.

Ancient Greek word kithara(κιθάρα) lives in European languages ​​in its descendant - the word guitar. And the musical instrument itself, the guitar, is nothing more than the ancient Greek cithara, which has changed over the centuries - belonging to Apollo Musagetas.

Silenus Marsyas

Marcia's punishment

Phrygian Silenus (satyr) Marsyas found a flute that the goddess Athena threw away, having once seen how her face was distorted when she played it.

Marsyas brought the art of playing the flute to high perfection. Proud of his talent, Marsyas dared to challenge the god Apollo to a competition, and it was decided that the loser would be completely at the mercy of the winner. The muses were chosen as judges for this competition; they decided in favor of Apollo, who thus gained victory. Apollo tied the defeated Marsyas to a tree and flayed him.

The satyrs and nymphs shed so many tears for the unfortunate Phrygian musician that from these tears a river was formed, which was later named after Marcia.

Apollo ordered the skin of Marsyas to be hung in a cave in the city of Kelen. An ancient Greek legend says that Marsyas’ skin trembled as if with joy when the sounds of a flute were heard in the cave, and remained motionless when the lyre was played.

The execution of Marsyas was very often reproduced by artists. In the Louvre there is a beautiful antique statue depicting Marsyas tied by his outstretched arms to a tree; Under Marcia's feet is the head of a goat.

The competition between Apollo and Marsyas also served as a subject for many paintings; Among the newest, paintings by Rubens are famous.

The rivalry between West and East appeared in ancient Greek myths in a variety of forms, but most often in the form of a musical competition. The myth of Marcia ends very cruelly, which is quite consistent with the savage morals of primitive peoples. However, subsequent ancient poets did not seem to be amazed at the cruelty shown by the god of music.

Comic poets very often depict the satire Marsyas in their works. Marsyas is a type of arrogant ignorant in them.

The Romans gave this myth a completely different meaning: it was recognized as an allegory of inexorable but fair justice, and that is why the myth of Marsyas is so often reproduced on monuments of Roman art. Statues of Marsyas were placed in all squares where trials took place, and in all Roman colonies - in courthouses.

Ears of King Midas

A similar competition, but ending in a lighter and wittier punishment, took place between Apollo and the god Pan. All those present spoke in favor of Apollo's game and recognized him as the winner; only Midas challenged this decision. Midas was the same king whom the gods had already punished once for his exorbitant greed for gold.

Now the angry Apollo turned Midas’s ears into long donkey ears for uninvited criticism.

Midas carefully hid his donkey's ears under a Phrygian cap. Only Midas's barber knew about this, and he was forbidden under pain of death to tell anyone about it.

But this secret weighed terribly on the soul of the talkative barber; he went to the river bank, dug a hole and said several times, bending over it: “King Midas has donkey ears.” Then, having carefully buried the hole, he went home relieved. But reeds grew in that place, and they, swayed by the wind, whispered: “King Midas has donkey ears,” and this secret became known to the whole country.

In the Madrid Museum there is a painting by Rubens depicting The Trial of Midas.

ZAUMNIK.RU, Egor A. Polikarpov - scientific editing, scientific proofreading, design, selection of illustrations, additions, explanations, translations from Latin and ancient Greek; all rights reserved.