APOLLON FAMILY
Greek Name
Απολλων
Transliteration
Apollôn
Latin Spelling
Apollo
Translation
Apollo
APOLLON was the Olympian god of prophecy, music, poetry, healing and archery.
This page provides a comprehensive overview of the children of the god. Most of these, however, were only linked to him with the briefest of genealogical references. Some were assigned his parentage to emphasize their skill as bards and seers. Others were the mythic founders of historical noble houses and priestly clans.
The quotes on this page are merely a collection of odd genealogical references. For actual myths featuring Apollon, his loves and children, see the "Apollon Loves" pages.
(1) DIVINE OFFSPRING
ARISTAIOS (Aristaeus) The patron god of beekeeping, olive oil manufacture, and the Etesian Winds. He was a son of Apollon and the nymph Kyrene.
ASKLEPIOS (Asclepius) The god of medicine. He was the son of Apollon and Koronis (or Arsinoe).
KHARIKLO The nymph wife of the kentauros Kheiron was a daughter of Apollon.
KORYBANTES SAMOTHRAKIAI (Samothracian Corybantes) The spear-clashing, dancing daimones of the Mysteries of Samothrake were, according to some, sons of Apollon and the nymph Rhetia or the Mousa Thaleia.
SKYLLA (Scylla) The monstrous Sicilian sea-nymph was, according to one unusual account, the daughter of Apollon and Hekate. (She was usually described as a daughter of the sea-gods Phorkys and Keto.)
(2) MORTAL OFFSPRING
AGREUS A lord of Dirphe on the island of Euboia (central Greece) or king of that whole island. He was the son of Apollon by the Lokrian princess Amphissa (or Euboia or Isse).
AMPHIARAUS A prince of Argos (central Greece) and seer, the son of Apollon and Queen Hypermnestra (though according to others King Oikles was the father). He was swallowed up by the earth during the war of the seven against Thebes and transformed by Apollon into an oracular daimon.
AMPHISSOS (Amphissus) A king of Dryopia (Ozolean Lokris) (central Greece), son of Apollon and Dryope.
AMPHITHEMIS or GARAMOS A king of the Garamonian tribe of Libya (in North Africa). He was a son of Apollon and the Kretan princess Akalle.
ANIOS (Anius) A king of the island of Delos (Greek Aegean), son of Apollon and the Naxian Princess Rhoio.
APIS An early king of Argos and the rest of the Peloponnese (southern Greece). He was a son of Apollon.
ASKLEPIOS (Asclepius) A physician-prince of Oikhalia in Thessalia (northern Greece). Asklepios was the son of Apollon and Koronis--though according to the Messenians he was a son of Apollon and the Messenian princess Arsinoe. After his death Asklepios was granted immortality and became god of medicine.
BRANKHOS (Branchus) The first of the priests of the oracle of Apollon at Brankhidai. He was a son of Apollon.
DELPHOS (Delphus) A eponymous founding lord of the village of Delphoi in Phokis (central Greece) and eponym of the town. He was a son of Apollon by Kelaino, Thyia or Melaina.
DOROS (Dorus) A king of the Kouretes tribe of Aitolia (central Greece). He was one of the three sons of Apollon and Phthia.
DRYOPS The eponymous king of Dryopia (central Greece). He was a son of Apollon.
ELEUTHER A bard of Boiotia (central Greece). He was the son of Apollon and Aithousa.
EPIDAUROS (Epidaurus) The eponymous founding king of Epidauros in Argolis (central Greece). He was a son of Apollon.
ERIOPIS A princess of Messenia (southern Greece). She was a daughter of Apollon and Arsinoe.
ERYMANTHOS (Erymanthus) An Arkadian (southern Greece) lord for whom Mount Erymanthos was named. He was a son of Apollon who earned Aphrodite's wrath by reporting her rendeavous with Adonis.
HILAEIRA A princess of Messenia (southern Greece) who was, according to some, a daughter of Apollon by the wife of King Leukippos (most, however, say Leukippos was the father).
IAMOS (Iamus) A seer of Arkadia and Elis (southern Greece). He was a son of Apollon and the nymph Euadne.
IDMON A seer of Argos (southern Greece) and one of the Argonauts. He was, according to some, a son of Apollon and Kyrene (most however call him a son of the Argive Abas).
ILEUS A lord of Troy (Asia Minor), son of Apollon by the nymph Ourea.
ION A prince of Athens and later king of Akhaia (southern Greece) and eponym of the Ionians. He was a son of Apollon and the Athenian princess Kreusa (though according to some, his father was Kreusa's husband Xouthos).
ISMENOS (Ismenus) An oracular priest of the shrine of Ismenios near Thebes in Boiotia (central Greece). He was a son of Apollon and the Okeanid-nymph Melia.
KENTAUROS (Centaurus) A lord of the Lapithai tribe of Thessalia (northern Greece). He was a son Apollon and Stilbe.
KEOS (Ceos) The first eponymous king of the island of Keos (Greek Aegean). He was a son of Apollon and Melia.
KHAIRON (Chaeron) The eponymous founding lord of the town of Khaironeia in Boiotia (central Greece). He was a son of Apollon and Thero.
KORONOS (Coronus) A king of Sikyonia (southern Greece). He was the son of Apollon and Khrysorthe.
KYKNOS (Cycnus) A man (presumably) of Hyria in Boiotia (central Greece), son of Apollon and Hyria. He was transformed into a swan by Apollon when he leapt off a cliff.
LAPITHES The eponymous first king of the Lapithai tribe of Thessalia (northern Greece), son Apollon and Stilbe.
LAODOKOS (Laodocus) A king of the Kouretes tribe of Aitolia (central Greece). He was one of the three sons of Apollon and Phthia.
LEUKIPPIDES (Leucippides) Two princesses of Messenia (southern Greece) named Hilaeira and Phoibe who were, according to some, daughters of Apollon by the wife of King Leukippos (most authors, however, say Leukippos was the father).
LINOS (1) (Linus) A bard of Boiotian Thebes (central Greece). Linos was the music-teacher of Herakles who was slain by the hero in a fit of rage. According to some, he was a son of Apollon by the Mousa Kalliope or by the Mousa Ourania (though in other versions, his father was not Apollon but the Pierian King Oiagros by Kalliope; and the hero Amphimaros by Ourania).
LINOS (2) (Linus) A prince of Argos (southern Greece), son of Apollon and Psamathe. As a baby he was torn apart by dogs while left unattended by his shepherd foster-parents.
LYKOMEDES (Lycomedes) A king of the island of Skyros (Greek Aegean), son of Apollon and the Samian princess Parthenope.
LYKORAS (Lycoras) The eponymous founding lord of the town of Lykoreia in Phokis (central Greece). He was a son of Apollon and the nymph Korykia.
MELANEUS A lord of Oikhalia in Thessalia (northern Greece) and skilled archer. He was a son of Apollon.
MILETOS (Miletus) A Kretan lord and founding eponymous king of the city of Miletos in Karia (Asia Minor). He was a son of Apollon and Akalle (or Aria or Deione).
MOPSOS (Mopsus) A seer of Kolophon in Lydia (Asia Minor). He was a son of Apollon by the Theban sibyl Manto (though, according to some, his father was Rhakios).
ONKIOS (Oncius) A lord of the region of Onkion in Arkadia (southern Greece). He was a son of Apollon.
ORPHEUS A bardic prince of Pieria (northern Greece) whose music possessed magical properties. According to some, he was a son of Apollon by the Mousa Kalliope (however this was contrary to the usual tradition which said he was a son of Kalliope and the Pierian King Oiagros).
PARTHENOS (Parthenius) A princess of the island of Naxos (Greek Aegean) who, according to some, was a daughter of Apollon and Khrysothemis (others say her father was Khrysothemis' husband Staphylos).
PHAGROS (Phagrus) A Malian lord (of northern Greece). He was a son of Apollon and the nymph Othreis (of Mt Othrys).
PHILAMMON A king and bard of Phokis (central Greece). He was a son of Apollon and Khione-Philonis (or Leukonoe).
PHILANDEROS (Philanderus) A lord of Elyros on the island of Krete (Greek Aegean). He was a son of Apollon and the Nymphe Akakallis.
PHOIBE (Phoebe) A princess of Messenia (southern Greece) who, according to some, was a daughter of Apollon by the wife of King Leukippos (most, however, say Leukippos was the father).
PHYLAKIDES (Phylacides) A lord of Elyros on the island of Krete (Greek Aegean). He was a son of Apollon and the nymph Akakallis.
POLYPOITES (Polypoetes) A king of the Kouretes tribe of Aitolia (central Greece). He was one of the three sons of Apollon and Phthia.
PYTHAEUS A priest of Apollon who introduced the cult of his father to the Argives and others (southern Greece).
SYROS (Syrus) The eponymous founding king of Assyria (Asia Minor). He was a son of Apollon and Sinope (the nymph eponym of the Assyrian city on the Black Sea coast).
TENEROS (Tenerus) An oracular priest of the shrine of Apollon on Mt Ptous in Boiotia (central Greece). He was a son of Apollon and the Okeanid-nymph Melia.
TENES The eponymous first king of the island of Tenedos (Greek Aegean). He was a son of Apollon and Prokleia.
TROILOS (Troilus) A prince of Troy (Asia Minor). He was, according to some, a son of Apollon and the Trojan queen Hekabe (others say his father was King Priamos).
TROPHONIOS (Trophonius) A prince of Orkhomenos (central Greece), the son of Apollon and the wife of King Erginos. He was swallowed up by the earth and transformed by his father into an oracular daimon. (Some say his father was King Erginos).
ZEUXIPPOS (Zeuxippus) A king of Sikyon (southern Greece), son of Apollon and the nymph Syllis.
GENEALOGICAL LISTING
OFFSPRING IMMORTAL
[1.1] ARISTAIOS (by Kyrene) (Hesiod Catalogues of Women Frag 93, Pindar Pythian 9 ant3, Bacchylides Frag 45, Pausanias 10.17.3, Diodorus Siculus 4.81.1, Hyginus Fabulae 161, Hyginus Astronomica 2.4, Ovid Fasti 1.363, Nonnus Dionysiaca 5.212 & 13.253)
[2.1] ASKLEPIOS (Hesiod Catalogues of Women Frag 90, Orphic Hymn 67)
[2.2] ASKLEPIOS (by Koronis) (Homeric Hymn to Asclepius, Pindar Pythian Ode 3, Erythrai Inscription, Apollodorus 3.118, Pausanias 2.26.1, Apollonius Rhodius 4.610, Diodorus Siculus 4.71.3, Hyginus Fabulae 14 & 202, Ovid Fasti 6.735)
[2.3] ASKLEPIOS (by Arsinoe) (Apollodorus 3.118, Pausanias 2.26.1 & 3.26.4, Cicero De Natura Deorum 3.21)
[3.1] KORYBANTES SAMOTHRAKIOI (by Thaleia) (Apollodorus 1.18)
[3.2] KORYBANTES SAMOTHRAKIOI (by Rhetia) (Pherecydes Frag, Strabo 10.3.21)
OFFSPRING MORTAL
KINGDOM OF ATTIKA (Southern Greece)
[1.1] ION (by Kreusa)
KINGDOM OF SIKYONIA (Southern Greece)
[1.1] KORONOS (by Khrysorthe) (Pausanias 2.5.8)
[2.1] ZEUXIPPOS (by Syllis) (Pausanias 2.6.7)
KINGDOMS OF ARGOLIS (Southern Greece)
[1.1] APIS (Aeschylus Suppliant Women 260)
[2.1] LINOS (by Psamathe) (Callimachus Aitia 1.2, Pausanias 1.43.7, Statius Thebaid 1.540)
[3.1] PYTHAEUS (Pausanias 2.35.2)
[4.1] IDMON (by Kyrene) (Hyginus Fabulae 14)
[5.1] AMPHIARAUS (by Hypermnestra) (Hyginus Fabulae 70)
[6.1] EPIDAUROS (Pausanias 2.26.2)
KINGDOM OF MESSENIA (Southern Greece)
[1.1] THE LEUKIPPIDES (HILAEIRA, PHOIBE) (by wife of Leukippos) (Pausanias 3.16.1)
KINGDOM OF ELIS (Southern Greece)
[1.1] IAMOS (by Euadne) (Pindar Olympian 6.28, Pausanias 6.2.5)
KINGDOM OF ARKADIA (Southern Greece)
[1.1] ONKIOS (Pausanias 8.25.4)
[2.1] ERYMANTHOS (Ptolemy Hephaestion 1)
KINGDOM OF EUBOIA (Central Greece)
[1.1] AGREUS (by Euboia) (Hyginus Fabulae 159)
KINGDOM OF BOIOTIA (Central Greece)
[1.1] LINOS (by Ourania) (Hesiod Frag 1, Hyginus Fabulae 159)
[1.2] LINOS (by Kalliope) (Apollodorus 1.14)
[2.1] ELEUTHER (by Aithousa) (Pausanias 9.20.1)
[3.1] KHAIRON (by Thero) (Pausanias 9.40.5)
KINGDOM OF ORKHOMENOS (Central Greece)
[1.1] TROPHONIOS (by wife of Erginos) (Pausanias 9.32.5)
KINGDOM OF PHOKIS (Central Greece)
[1.1] DELPHOS (by Kelaino) (Pausanias 10.6.3)
[1.2] DELPHOS (by Melaine or Thyia) (Pausanias 10.6.4)
[1.3] DELPHOS (Hyginus Fabulae 159)
[2.1] LYKORAS (by Korykia) (Pausanias 10.6.3, Hyginus Fabulae 159)
[3.1] PHILAMMON (by Khione or Philonis) (Hyginus Fabulae 200, Ovid Met. 11.291)
[3.2] PHILAMMON (by Leukonoe) (Hyginus Fabulae 161)
KINGDOM OF AITOLIA (Central Greece)
[1.1] POLYPOITES, LAODOKOS, DOROS (by Phthia) (Apollodorus 1.56)
KINGDOM OF DRYOPIA (Central Greece)
[1.1] DRYOPS (Pausanias 4.34.11)
[2.1] AMPHISSOS (by Dryopia) (Antoninus Liberalis 32, Ovid Metamorphoses 9.325)
KINGDOM OF MALIS (Central Greece)
[1.1] PHAGROS (by Othreis) (Antoninus Liberalis 13)
KINGDOM OF LAPITHAI (Northern Greece)
[1.1] LAPITHES, KENTAUROS (by Stilbe) (Diodorus Siculus 4.69.1)
KINGDOM OF OIKHALIA (Northern Greece)
[1.1] MELANEUS (Pausanias 4.2.2)
[2.1] ASKLEPIOS (by Koronis) (see Immortal Offspring above)
KINGDOM OF PIERIA (Northern Greece)
[1.1] ORPHEUS, LINOS (by Kalliope) (Apollodorus 1.14)
KINGDOM OF SKYROS (Greek Aegean)
[1.1] LYKOMEDES (by Parthenope) (Pausanias 7.4.1)
KINGDOM OF NAXOS (Greek Aegean)
[1.1] PARTHENOS (by Khrysothemis) (Hyginus Astronomica 2.25)
KINGDOM OF DELOS (Greek Aegean)
[1.1] ANIOS (Apollodorus E3.10)
[1.2] ANIOS (by Rhoio) (Diodorus Siculus 5.62.1)
KINGDOM OF KEOS (Greek Aegean)
[1.1] KEOS (by Melia) (Callimachus Aitia Frag 3.1)
KINGDOM OF KRETE (Greek Aegean)
[1.1] PHYLAKIDES, PHILANDEROS (by Akakallis) (Pausanias 10.16.5)
KINGDOM OF TENEDOS (Greek Aegean)
[1.1] TENES (by Prokleia) (Apollodorus 3.23)
KINGDOM OF TROAD (Anatolia)
[1.1] ILEUS (by Ourea) (Hesiod Catalogues Frag 83, Hyginus Fabulae 159)
[2.1] TROILOS (by Hekouba) (Apollodorus 3.12.5)
KINGDOMS OF KARIA (Anatolia)
[1.1] MILETOS (by Aria) (Apollodorus 3.1.2)
[1.2] MILETOS (by Deione) (Ovid Metamorphoses 9.443)
[2.1] BRANKHOS (Strabo 14.1.5)
KINGDOMS OF LYDIA (Anatolia)
[1.1] MOPSOS (by Manto) (Apollodorus E6.3, Strabo 14.5.16)
KINGDOM OF ASSYRIA (Anatolia)
[1.1] SYROS (by Sinope) (Diodorus Siculus 4.72.1-5)
KINGDOMS OF LIBYA (North Africa)
[1.1] AMPHITHEMIS (by Akalle)
CLASSICAL LITERATURE QUOTES
GENERAL LIST OF SONS
Pseudo-Hyginus, Fabulae 159 (trans. Grant) (Roman mythographer C2nd A.D.) :
"Sons of Apollo: Delphus. Asclepius by Coronis, daughter of Phlegyas Eurypides by Cleobula. Ilius by Urea, daughter of Neptunus [Poseidon]. Agreus by Euboea, daughter of Macareus. Philammon by Leuconoe, daughter of Lucifer [Eosphorus]. Lycoreus by nymph Corycia. Linos by the Musa Urania. Aristaeus by Cyrene, daughter of Peneus."
FAMILY IN ATTICA (SOUTHERN GREECE)
LOVED : 1. Kreousa, princess of Athens.
FATHERED : 1. Ion, prince of Athens.
1) ION Prince of Athens, King of Akhaia
For the MYTH of the seduction of Ion's mother see Apollo Loves: Creusa
FAMILY IN SICYONIA (SOUTHERN GREECE)
LOVED : 1. Khrysorthe, princess of Sikyon; 2. Syllis, nymph.
FATHERED : 1. Koronos, king of Sikyon; 2. Zeuxippos, king of Sikyon.
1) KORONOS King of Sikyon
Pausanias, Description of Greece 2. 5. 8 (trans. Jones) (Greek travelogue C2nd A.D.) :
"Orthopolis [King of Sikyon] had a daughter Khrysorthe, who is thought to have borne a son named Koronos to Apollon. Koronos had two sons, Korax and a younger one Lamedon."
2) ZEUXIPPOS King of Sikyon
Pausanias, Description of Greece 2. 6. 7 :
"After Phaistos [King of Sikyon] in obedience to an oracle migrated to Krete, the next king is said to have been Zeuxippos, the son of Apollon and the nymphe Syllis. On the death of Zeuxippos, Agamemnon led an army against Sikyon [and annexed the country]."
FAMILY IN ARGOLIS (SOUTHERN GREECE)
LOVED : 2. Hypermnestra, Argive lady; 5. Psamathe, Argive princess.
FATHERED : 1. Apis, Seer & King of the Peloponnese; 2. Amphiaraos, Argive seer; 3. Idmon, Argive seer; 4. Pythaeus, Argive priest; 5. Linos, Argive prince; 6. Epidauros, king of Epidauros.
1) APIS King of Argos & the Peloponnese, Healer & Seer
Aeschylus, Suppliant Women 260 ff (trans. Weir Smyth) (Greek tragedy C5th B.C.) :
"The ground where we stand [Argos] is Apian land itself, and has borne that name since antiquity in honor of a healer. For Apis, seer and healer, the son of Apollon, came from Naupaktos on the farther shore and purified this land of monsters deadly to man, which Earth (gaia), defiled by the pollution of bloody deeds of old, caused to spring up--plagues charged with wrath, an ominous colony of swarming serpents (drakonthomilos). Of these plagues Apis worked the cure by sorcery and spells to the content of the Argive land, and for reward thereafter earned for himself remembrance in prayers."
2) AMPHIARAOS Argive Seer & Prince
Pseudo-Hyginus, Fabulae 70 (trans. Grant) (Roman mythographer C2nd A.D.) :
"Seven Kings who set out for Thebes . . . Amphiaraus, son of Oecleus, or, as other writers say, son of Apollo by Hypermnestra, daughter of Thestios, from Pylos."
3) IDMON Argive Seer
Pseudo-Hyginus, Fabulae 14 (trans. Grant) (Roman mythographer C2nd A.D.) :
"Argonauts Assembled . . . Idmon, son of Apollo and the Nympha Cyrene. some say of Abas, an Argive. He was skilled in augury."
4) PYTHAEUS Argive Priest of Apollon
Pausanias, Description of Greece 2. 35. 2 (trans. Jones) (Greek travelogue C2nd A.D.) :
"Of Apollon there are three temples and three images [in Argos]. One has no surname; the second they call Pythaeus, and the third Horios (of the Borders). The name Pythaeus they have learned from the Argives, for Telesilla tells us that they were the first Greeks to whose country came Pythaeus, who was a son of Apollon."
5) LINOS Prince of Argos
For the MYTH of Apollon and his infant son Linos see Apollo Loves: Psamathe
6) EPIDAUROS King of Epidauros
Pausanias, Description of Greece 2. 26. 2 (trans. Jones) (Greek travelogue C2nd A.D.) :
"The Epidaurians maintain that [their eponymous hero] Epidauros was the child of Apollon."
FAMILY IN LACEDAEMONIA (SOUTHERN GREECE)
LOVED : Hyakinthos, prince of Sparta.
For the MYTH of the god's love for Hyakinthos see Apollo Loves: Hyacinthus
FAMILY IN MESSENIA (SOUTHERN GREECE)
LOVED : 1 - 2. Wife of Leukippos, queen of Messenia; 4. Arsinoe, princess of Messenia.
FATHERED : 1 - 2. The Leukippides (Hilaeira & Phoibe), princesses of Messenia; 3 Eriopis, princess of Messenia;
4. Asklepios, god & prince of Messenia.
1 - 2) HILAEIRA & PHOIBE Princesses of Messenia
Pausanias, Description of Greece 3. 16. 1 (trans. Jones) (Greek travelogue C2nd A.D.) :
"[In Sparta, Lakedaimonia] is a sanctuary of Hilaeira and of Phoibe [two Messenian princesses who were transformed into minor goddesses]. The author of the poem Kypria calls them daughters of Apollon. Their priestesses are young maidens, called, as are also the goddesses, Leukippides."
For MORE information on these demi-goddesses see LEUKIPPIDES
3) ERIOPIS Princess of Messenia
4) ASKLEPIOS God & Prince of Messenia
The Messenians claimed that Asklepios was a son of local princess named Arsinoe. The usual account however calls him a son of the Thessalian girl Koronis. See Oechalia (below).
FAMILY IN ELIS (SOUTHERN GREECE)
FATHERED : 1. Iamos, seer of Olympia.
1) IAMOS Olympian seer
Pausanias, Description of Greece 6. 2. 5 (trans. Jones) (Greek travelogue C2nd A.D.) :
"The diviners [of Olympia, Elis] called Iamidai are descended from Iamos, who, Pindaros says in an ode, was a son of Apollon and received the gift of divination from him."
For the MYTH of the god's seduction of Iamos' mother see Apollo Loves: Euadne
FAMILY IN ACHAEA (SOUTHERN GREECE)
LOVED : 1. Bolina, Akhaian lady.
For the MYTH of the god's attempted seduction of this lady see Apollo Loves: Bolina
FAMILY IN ARCADIA (SOUTHERN GREECE)
LOVED : 1. Daphne, Naiad nymph; 2. Euadne, princess of Arkadia.
FATHERED : 2. Iamos, Olympian seer; 3. Onkios, lord of Onkion; 4. Erymanthos, lord of Mt Erymanthos.
1) LOVED DAPHNE
For the MYTH of the god's attempted seduction of this nymph see DAPHNE
2) IAMOS Seer of Olympos
For the MYTH of the god's seduction of Iamos' mother see Apollo Loves: Euadne
3) ONKIOS Lord of Onkion
Pausanias, Description of Greece 8. 25. 4 (trans. Jones) (Greek travelogue C2nd A.D.) :
"Onkios was, according to tradition, a son of Apollon, and held sway in Thelpusian territory [in Arkadia] around the place Onkion."
4) ERYMANTHOS Lord of Mt Erymanthos
Ptolemy Hephaestion, New History Book 1 (summary from Photius, Myriobiblon 190) (trans. Pearse) (Greek mythographer C1st to C2nd A.D.) :
"Erymanthos, son of Apollon, was punished because he had seen Aphrodite after her union with Adonis and Apollon, irritated, changed himself into a wild boar and killed Adonis by striking through his defenses."
FAMILY IN EUBOEA (CENTRAL GREECE)
LOVED : 1. Euboia, princess of Lokris.
FATHERED : 1. Agreus, lord of Diphys.
1) AGREUS Lord of Diphys in Euboia
Pseudo-Hyginus, Fabulae 159 (trans. Grant) (Roman mythographer C2nd A.D.) :
"Sons of Apollo . . . Agreus by Euboea, daughter of Macareus."
N.B. Makareus, father of Euboia, was a king of Opuntian Lokris. Pesumably Apollon carried the girl across the straits to the island where Agreus was born.
FAMILY IN BOEOTIA (CENTRAL GREECE)
LOVED : 1 - 2. Melia, Okeanid nymph; 3. Ourania, goddess muse; 4. Aithousa, nymph; 5. Thero, Theban lady; 6. Manto, sibyl of Thebes; 7. Hyria, princess of Hyria.
FATHERED : 1. Teneros, oracular seer of Mt Ptous; 2. Ismenos, Theban priest of Apollon; 3. Linos, Theban bard; 4. Eleuther, lord & bard of Eleutherai; 5. Khairon, lord of Khaironeia; 7. Kyknos, prince of Hyria.
1 - 2) TENEROS & ISMENOS Theban Oracular Priests
For the MYTH of the god's seduction of the mother of this pair see Apollo Loves: Melia
3) LINOS Theban Bard
Hesiod, Fragment 1 (from Diogenes Laetrius 8. 1. 26) (trans. Evelyn-White) (Greek epic C8th or 7th B.C.) :
"So Ourania [the Muse] bare Linos, a very lovely son: and him all men who are singers and harpers do bewail at feasts and dances, and as they begin and as they end they call on Linos."
Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca 1. 14 & 2. 63 (trans. Aldrich) (Greek mythographer C2nd A.D.) :
"[The Mousa] Kalliope and Oiagros (though nominaly it was Apollon) had as sons Linos, whom Herakles slew, and Orpheus, a professional citharist whose singing caused stones and trees to move . . .
Herakles was taught . . . . the cithara by Linos. Linos was Orpheus' brother, who moved to Thebes and became a Theban."
Pseudo-Hyginus, Fabulae 159 (trans. Grant) (Roman mythographer C2nd A.D.) :
"Sons of Apollo . . . Linos by the Musa Urania."
4) ELEUTHER Lord & Bard of Eleutherai
Pausanias, Description of Greece 9. 20. 1 & 10. 7. 2 (trans. Jones) (Greek travelogue C2nd A.D.) :
"The people of Tanagra say that their founder was Poimandros, the son of Khairesilaos, the son of Iasios, the son of Eleuther, who, they say, was the son of Apollon by Aithousa, the daughter of Poseidon . . .
Eleuther won a Pythian victory for his loud and sweet voice, for the song that he sang was not of his own composition."
5) KHAIRON Lord of Khaironeia
Pausanias, Description of Greece 9. 40. 5 - 6 :
"The present name of Khaironeia [in Boiotia], they say, is derived from Khairon, reputed to be a son of Apollon by Thero, a daughter of Phylas [one of the Herakleides]. This is confirmed also by the writer of the epic poem, the Great Eoeae :--‘Phylas wedded a daughter of famous Iolais [nephew of Herakles], Leipephilene, like in form to the Olympian goddesses; she bore him in the halls a son Hippotes, and lovely Thero, like to the moonbeams. Thero, falling into the embrace of Apollon, bore mighty Khairon, tamer of horses.’"
6) LOVE MANTO
Manto was the mother by Apollon of Mopsos, the seer of Kolophon in Lydia. See Lydia (below).
7) KYKNOS Prince of Hyria
FAMILY IN ORCHOMENUS (CENTRAL GREECE)
LOVED : 1. Wife of Erginos, queen of Orkhomenos.
FATHERED : 1. Trophonios, architect prince of Orkhomenos.
1) TROPHONIOS Architect and Prince of Orkhomenos
Pausanias, Description of Greece 9. 37. 5 (trans. Jones) (Greek travelogue C2nd A.D.) :
"Trophonios is said to have been a son of Apollon, not of Erginos [king of Orkhomenos]. This I am inclined to believe, as does everyone who has gone to Trophonios to inquire of his oracle. They say that these, when they grew up, proved clever at building sanctuaries for the gods and palaces for men. For they built the temple for Apollon at Delphoi and the treasury for Hyrieus."
FAMILY IN PHOCIS (CENTRAL GREECE)
LOVED : 1. Phthia, Delphic prophetess; 2. Korykia, Naiad nymph; 3. Kelaino, princess of Phokis; 3. Thyia, Delphic priestess of Dionysos; 3. Melaina, Naiad nymph; 4. Khione or Philonis, princess of Phokis; 5. Khione, princess of Phokis; 5. Philonis, princess of Phokis; 5. Leukonoe, nymph.
FATHERED : 2. Lykoras, lord of Lykoreia; Delphos, lord of Delphoi; 5. Philammon, Bard-King of Phokis.
1) LOVED PHTHIA
Phthia's sons by Apollon were lords of the Kouretes tribe of the neighbouring region of Aitolia. She may have been one of the daughters or grand-daughters of old King Deukalion. See Aetolia (below).
2) LYKORAS Lord of Lykoreia
Pausanias, Description of Greece 10. 6. 3 (trans. Jones) (Greek travelogue C2nd A.D.) :
"A legend is current that Apollon had a son Lykoras by a nymphe, Korykia, and that after Lykoras was named the city Lykoreia [of Phokis], and after the nymphe of the Korykian cave."
Pseudo-Hyginus, Fabulae 159 (trans. Grant) (Roman mythographer C2nd A.D.) :
"Sons of Apollo . . . Lycoreus by the Nympha Corycia."
3) DELPHOS Lord of Delphoi
Pausanias, Description of Greece 10. 6. 3 (trans. Jones) (Greek travelogue C2nd A.D.) :
"It is also said that Kelaino was daughter to Hyamos, son of Lykoros [son of Apollon and Korykia], and that Delphos, from whom comes the present name of the city, was a son of Kelaino, daughter of Hyamos, by Apollon."
Pausanias, Description of Greece 10. 6. 4 :
"They hold that Delphos [after whom Delphoi, Phokis was named] was a son of Apollon and Thyia. Others say that his mother was Melaina, daughter of Kephisos."
Pseudo-Hyginus, Fabulae 159 (trans. Grant) (Roman mythographer C2nd A.D.) :
"Sons of Apollo. Delphus."
5) PHILAMMON King and Bard of Phokis
Philammon was the son of Apollon by Leukonoe or Khione.
Pseudo-Hyginus, Fabulae 159 (trans. Grant) (Roman mythographer C2nd A.D.) :
"Sons of Apollo . . . Philammon by Leuconoe, daughter of Lucifer [Eosphoros]."
For the MYTH of the god's seduction of Philammon's mother see Apollo Loves: Chione
FAMILY IN AETOLIA (CENTRAL GREECE)
LOVED : 1 - 3. Phthia, Delphic prophetess; 4. Marpessa, princess of Pleuron.
FATHERED : 1 - 3. Polypoites, Laodokos & Doros, kings of the Kouretes.
1 - 3) POLYPOITES, LAODOKOS & DOROS Kings of the Kouretes
Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca 1. 56 (trans. Aldrich) (Greek mythographer C2nd A.D.) :
"Aitolos . . . escaped [from Elis] to the land of the Kouretes. There he killled the men who had welcomed him, Doros, Ladokos, and Polypoites, sons of Phthia and Apollon; and called the land Aitolia after himself."
This Phthia was probably one of the daughters of old King Deukalion.
4) LOVED MARPESSA
For the MYTH of the god's attempt to woo this maiden see Apollo Loves: Marpessa
FAMILY IN DRYOPIA (CENTRAL GREECE)
LOVED : 1. Dryopia, princess of Dryopia; 2. Amphissa or Issa, princess of Lokris-Dryopia; 3. Euboia, princess of Lokris-Dryopia.
FATHERED : 1. Dryops, king of Dryopia; 2. Amphissos, king of Dryopia.
Dryopia was the old name in myth given to the region of Ozolean Lokris, which stretched north to Opuntian Lokris between Phokis and Aitolia.
1) DRYOPS King of Dryopia
Pausanias, Description of Greece 4. 34. 11 (trans. Jones) (Greek travelogue C2nd A.D.) :
"Dryops, whose rites they [the Dryopes] celebrate every year, saying that he is the son of Apollon."
For the MYTH of the god's seduction of Dryops' mother see Apollo Loves: Dryopia
2) AMPHISSOS King of Dryopia
Pausanias, Description of Greece 10. 38. 4 (trans. Jones) (Greek travelogue C2nd A.D.) :
"Amphissa, the largest and most renowned city of Lokris . . . It is said that the name of the city is derived from Amphissa, daughter of Makar, son of Aiolos, and that Apollon was her lover."
Ovid, Metamorphoses 6. 124 ff (trans. Melville) (Roman epic C1st B.C. to C1st A.D.) :
"Phoebus [Apollon] . . . fooled Isse Macareis [daughter of Makareus], as a shepherd."
3) AGREUS King of Diphys in Euboia
Pseudo-Hyginus, Fabulae 159 (trans. Grant) (Roman mythographer C2nd A.D.) :
"Sons of Apollo . . . Agreus by Euboea, daughter of Macareus."
FAMILY IN MALIS (NORTHERN GREECE)
LOVED : 1. Othreis, nymph of Mt Othrys.
FATHERED : 1. Phagros, Malian lord.
Antoninus Liberalis, Metamorphoses 13 (trans. Celoria) (Greek mythographer C2nd A.D.) :
"He was pasturing his sheep [on Mt Othrys], Phagros, son of Apollon and Othreis the Nymphe (the same mother of this babe [Mileteus] in the wood)."
FAMILY IN OECHALIA, THESSALY (NORTHERN GREECE)
LOVED : 2. Koronis, princess of Oikhalia.
FATHERED : 1. Melaneus, king of Oikhalia; 2. Asklepios, physician prince of Oikhalia & god.
1) MELANEUS King of Oikhalia
Pausanias, Description of Greece 4. 2. 2 (trans. Jones) (Greek travelogue C2nd A.D.) :
"To him [King Perieres of Messenia], the Messenians say, came Melaneus, a good archer and considered for this reason to be a son of Apollon; Perieres assigned to him as a dwelling a part of the country now called the Karnasion, but which then received the name Oikhalia, derived, as they say, from the wife of Melaneus. Most matters of Greek history have come to be disputed. The Thessalians say that Eurytion, which to-day is not inhabited, was formerly a city and was called Oikhalia."
2) ASKLEPIOS Physician Prince of Oikhalia
For the MYTH of the god's love of Asklepios' mother see KORONIS
For MORE information on this god see ASKLEPIOS
FAMILY IN LAPITHAE, THESSALY (NORTHERN GREECE)
LOVED : 1 - 2. Stilbe, Naiad nymph; 3. Kyrene, Lapith princess; 4. Daphne, Naiad nymph.
FATHERED : 1 - 2. Lapithos & Kentauros, kings of the Lapithai; 3. Aristaios, rustic god.
1 - 2) LAPITHOS & KENTAUROS Kings of the Lapithai
Diodorus Siculus, Library of History 4. 69. 1 (trans. Oldfather) (Greek historian C1st B.C.) :
"He [the river Peneios] lay with the Nymphe named Kreousa and begat as children Hypseus and Stilbe, and with the latter Apollon lay and begat Lapithes and Kentauros."
Diodorus Siculus, Library of History 5. 61. 3 :
"Lapithes, the son of Apollon and Stilbe, the daughter of Peneios [river-god]."
3) ARISTAIOS Rustic God
Pseudo-Hyginus, Astronomica 2. 4 (trans. Grant) (Roman mythographer C2nd A.D.) :
"Aristaeus, son of Apollo and Cyrene."
For the MYTH of the god's seduction of Aristaios' mother see KYRENE
For MORE information on this god see ARISTAIOS
4) LOVE DAPHNE
For the MYTH of the god's attempted seduction of this nymph see DAPHNE
FAMILY IN PIERIA & MAGNESIA (NORTHERN GREECE)
LOVED : 1 - 2. Kalliope, goddess Muse; 3. Hymenaios, prince of Magnesia.
FATHERED : 1. Orpheus, bard & prince of Pieria; 2. Linos, bard & prince of Pieria.
1 - 2) ORPHEUS & LINOS Princes & Bards of Pieria
Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca 1. 14 (trans. Aldrich) (Greek mythographer C2nd A.D.) :
"[The Mousa] Kalliope and Oiagros (though nominaly it was Apollon) had as sons Linos, whom Herakles slew, and Orpheus, a professional citharist whose singing caused stones and trees to move."
For Linos, see also the section on Boeotia.
3) LOVE HYMENAIOS
For the MYTH of the god's love of this boy see Apollo Loves: Hymenaeus
FAMILY IN SCYROS (GREEK AEGEAN)
LOVED : 1. Parthenope, princess of Samos.
FATHERED : 1. Lykomedes, king of Skyros.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 7. 4. 1 (trans. Jones) (Greek travelogue C2nd A.D.) :
"Ankaios [king of Samos] took to wife Samia, the daughter of the river Maiandros, and begat [sons] . . . and a daughter Parthenope; and that Parthenope had a son Lykomedes by Apollon."
FAMILY IN SAMOTHRACE (GREEK AEGEAN)
LOVED : 1. Thaleia, goddess Muse; 1. Rhetia, nymph.
FATHERED : 1. Korybantes Samothrakioi, daimones of the Mysteries.
1) KORYBANTES SAMOTHRAKIAI Daimones of the Mysteries
Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca 1. 18 (trans. Aldrich) (Greek mythographer C2nd A.D.) :
"Apollon and [the Mousa] Thaleia had the Korybantes."
Strabo, Geography 10. 3. 21 (trans. Jones) (Greek geographer C1st B.C. to C1st A.D.) :
"Pherekydes says that nine Kyrbantes were sprung from Apollon and Rhetia, and that they took up their abode in Samothrake [and he also says that the Kabeiroi of the same island were sons of Hephaistos]."
For MORE information on these daimones see KORYBANTES SAMOTHRAKIOI
FAMILY IN SAMOS (GREEK AEGEAN)
LOVED : 1. Parthenope, princess of Samos; 2. Okyrrhoe, nymph.
1) LOVE PARTHENOPE
For Parthenope and her son Lykomedes, see Scyros (above).
2) LOVE OKYRRHOE
For the MYTH of the god's seduction of this nymph see Apollo Loves: Ocyrrhoe
FAMILY IN NAXOS & DELOS (GREEK AEGEAN)
LOVED : 1. Khrysothemis, princess of Krete, later queen of Delos; 2. Rhoio, princess of Naxos, later queen of Delos.
FATHERED : 1. Parthenos, princess of Naxos, later demi-goddess; 2. Anios, king of Delos.
1) PARTHENOS Princess of Naxos & Demi-Goddess
Pseudo-Hyginus, Astronomica 2. 25 (trans. Grant) (Roman mythographer C2nd A.D.) :
"[The Constellation Virgo :] Others call her a daughter of Apollo by Chrysothemis, an infant, named Parthenos (Maiden). Because she died youg she was put by Apollo among the constellations."
For MORE information on this demi-goddess see PARTHENOS
2) ANIOS King of Delos
Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca E3. 10 (trans. Aldrich) (Greek mythographer C2nd A.D.) :
"Apollon's son Anios [of Delos]."
For the MYTH of the seduction of Anios' mother see Apollo Loves: Rhoeo
For MYTHS of Apollon & his son Anios see Apollo FamilyFavour: Anius
FAMILY IN CEOS (GREEK AEGEAN)
LOVED : 1. Melia, Naiad nymph; 2. Kyparissos, prince of Keos.
FATHERED : 1. Keos, king of Keos.
1) KEOS King of Keos
Callimachus, Aetia Fragment 3. 1 (from Oxyrhynchus Papyri 7) (trans. Trypanis) (Greek poet C3rd B.C.) :
"This we heard from old Xenomedes [Cean chronicler B.C.], who once enshrined all the island [the island of Keos] in a mythological history: . . . Keos, son of Phoibos [Apollon] and Melia, caused it [the island of Hydrussa, now Keos] to take another name."
2) LOVED KYPARISSOS
For the MYTH of the god's love for this youth see Apollo Loves: Cyparissus
FAMILY IN CRETE (GREEK AEGEAN)
LOVED : 1. Akakallis, nymph or lady of Tarrha; 2. Khrysothemis, nymph or lady of Tarrha; 3. Aria or Deione, Kretan lady.
FATHERED : 1 - 2. Phylakides & Philanderos, lords of Elyros; 3. Miletos, Kretan lord.
1 - 2) PHYLAKIDES & PHILANDEROS Lords of Elyros in Krete
Pausanias, Description of Greece 10. 16. 5 (trans. Jones) (Greek travelogue C2nd A.D.) :
"On the mountains of Krete there is still in my time a city called Elyros. Now the citizens sent to Delphoi a bronze goat, which is suckling the babies, Phylakides and Philanderos. The Elyrians say that these were children of Apollon by the Nymphe Akakallis, and that Apollon mated with Akakallis in the house of Karmanor in the city of Tarrha."
For the MYTH of the god's love of the mother of this pair see Apollo Loves: Acacallis
3 - 4) OTHERS
For Deione and her son Miletos, see Caria (the man emmigrated to the region and founded the city of Miletos); and for Khrysothemis and her daughter Parthenos see Naxos.
FAMILY IN THE TROAD (ANATOLIA)
LOVED : 1. Ourea, nymph; 2. Prokleia, princess of Kolonai; 3. Hekabe, queen of Troy; 4. Kassandra, princess of Troy.
FATHERED : 1. Ileus, Trojan lord; 2. Tenes, king of Tenedos; 3. Troilos, prince of Troy.
1) ILEUS Trojan Lord
Hesiod, Catalogues of Women Fragment 83 (from Tzetzes, Scholiast in Exeg. Iliad 126) (trans. Evelyn-White) (Greek epic C8th or 7th B.C.) :
"Ileus whom the lord Apollon, son of Zeus, loved. And he named him by his name, because he found a Nymphe complaisant and was joined with her in sweet love, on that day when Poseidon and Apollo raised high the wall of the well-built city."
Pseudo-Hyginus, Fabulae 159 (trans. Grant) (Roman mythographer C2nd A.D.) :
"Sons of Apollo . . . Ilius by Urea, daughter of Neptunus [Poseidon]."
2) TENES King of Tenedos
Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca 3. 23 (trans. Aldrich) (Greek mythographer C2nd A.D.) :
"They [the Greeks fleet of the Trojan War] . . . put in at Tenedos. The king there was Tenes, son of Kyknos and Prokleia (though some say Apollon was the father). He lived there after being banished by his father . . . Akhilleus plunged a sword into his chest and killed him, even though Thetis warned him not to. For he himself would be slain by Apollon, if they should slay Tenes."
3) TROILOS Prince of Troy
Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca 3. 12. 5 & E3. 32 (trans. Aldrich) (Greek mythographer C2nd A.D.) :
"Hekouba bore sons [to King Priamos of Troy], Deiphobos, Helenos [etc] . . . and Troilos: this last she is said to have had by Apollon . . .
Akhilleus ambushed Troilos in the temple of Apollon Thymbraios and killed him."
4) LOVE KASSANDRA
For the MYTH of the god's attempted seduction of this girl see Apollo Loves: Cassandra
FAMILY IN CARIA (ANATOLIA)
FATHERED : 1. Miletos, king of Miletos; 2. Brankhos, oracular priest of Brankhidai.
1) MILETOS King of Miletos
Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca 3. 1. 2 (trans. Frazer) (Greek mythographer C2nd A.D.) :
"When they [Minos, Sarpedon and Rhadamanthys] were grown up, they quarrelled with each other; for they loved a boy called Miletos, son of Apollon by Aria, daughter of Kleokhos. As the boy was more friendly to Sarpedon, Minos went to war and had the better of it, and the others fled. Miletos landed in Karia and there founded a city which he called Miletos after himself."
Ovid, Metamorphoses 9. 443 ff (trans. Melville) (Roman epic C1st B.C. to C1st A.D.) :
"Apollo's son, Miletus Deionides [son of Deione], proud in all the power of youth and parentage, and [King Minos of Krete] thought he planned to rise against his throne [and so Miletos departed and founded the city of the same name in Asia Minor]."
2) BRANKHOS Oracular Priest of Apollon at Brankhidai (near Miletos)
Strabo, Geography 14. 1. 5 (trans. Jones) (Greek geographer C1st B.C. to C1st A.D.) :
"Here [at the Oracle of Apollon in Brankhidai, near Miletos] is laid the scene of the myth of Brankhos and the love of Apollon. The temple is adorned with costliest offerings consisting of early works of art. Thence to the city is no long journey, by land or by sea." [N.B. Apollon might be the lover of the youth, rather than his father (Strabo's description is vague).]
FAMILY IN LYDIA (ANATOLIA)
FATHERED :1. Mopsos, seer of Kolophon.
1) MOPSOS Seer of Kolophon (or the nearly oracle at Klaros)
Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca E6. 3 (trans. Aldrich) (Greek mythographer C2nd A.D.) :
"Kolophon [in Asia Minor] . . . where they were entertained by Mopsos the seer, a son of Apollon and Manto . . . ‘I [Mopsos] who am the son of Apollon and Manto, am richly endowed with the keen sight of the art of divination.’"
Strabo, Geography 14. 5. 16 (trans. Jones) (Greek geographer C1st B.C. to C1st A.D.) :
"Mallos [in Kilikia], situated on a height, founded by Amphilokhos and Mopsos, the latter the son of Apollon and Manto, concerning whom many myths are told."
For the MYTH of the god's love of the sibyl mother of Mopsos see Apollo Loves: Manto
FAMILY IN UPPER ASSYRIA (ANATOLIA)
LOVED : 1. Sinope, Naiad nymph.
FATHERED : 1. Syros, king of Assyria.
Diodorus Siculus, Library of History 4. 72. 2 (trans. Oldfather) (Greek historian C1st B.C.) :
"Sinope [daughter of the river Asopos in Sikyonia], was seized by Apollon and carried off to the place where now stands the city of Sinope, which was named after her, and to her and Apollon was born a son Syros, who became king of the Syrians, who were named after him."
For the alternative MYTH of the god's failed seduction of the nymph see Apollo Loves: Sinope
FAMILY IN LIBYA (NORTH AFRICA)
LOVED : 1. Kyrene, nymph of Kyrene in Libya; 2. Akakallis, princess or nymph of Krete.
FATHERED : 2. Amphithemis, king of the Garamoi.
1) LOVED KYRENE
For the MYTH of the seduction of this nymph see CYRENE
2) AMPHITHEMIS King of the Garamoi of Libya
Apollonius Rhodius, Argonautica 4. 1490 ff (trans. Rieu) (Greek epic C3rd B.C.) :
"Akakallis . . . bare to Phoibos a glorious son, whom they call Amphithemis and Garamas."
For the MYTH of the seduction of Amphithemis' mother see Apollo Loves: Acacallis
FAMILY IN SICILY (SOUTHERN ITALY)
LOVED : 1. Hekate, goddess of witchcraft.
FATHERED : 1. Skylla, sea monster of straits of Messina.
Hesiod, Great Eoiae Fragment 13 (from Scholiast on Apollonius Rhodius 4. 82) (trans. Evelyn-White) (Greek epic C8th or 7th B.C.) :
"In the Great Eoiae Skylla is the daughter of Phoibos [Apollon] and Hekate."
FAMILY IN CAMPANIA (SOUTHERN ITALY)
LOVED : 1. Sibylla Kumaia, prophetess of Kyme (Cumae).
For the MYTH of the god's love for the sibyl see Apollo Loves: Cumaean Sibyl
SOURCES
GREEK
- Hesiod, Catalogues of Women Fragments - Greek Epic C8th - 7th B.C.
- Hesiod, Great Eoiae Fragments - Greek Epic C8th - 7th B.C.
- Aeschylus, Suppliant Women - Greek Tragedy C5th B.C.
- Apollodorus, The Library - Greek Mythography C2nd A.D.
- Apollonius Rhodius, The Argonautica - Greek Epic C3rd B.C.
- Callimachus, Fragments - Greek Poetry C3rd B.C.
- Diodorus Siculus, The Library of History - Greek History C1st B.C.
- Strabo, Geography - Greek Geography C1st B.C. - C1st A.D.
- Pausanias, Description of Greece - Greek Travelogue C2nd A.D.
- Antoninus Liberalis, Metamorphoses - Greek Mythography C2nd A.D.
- Ptolemy Hephaestion, New History - Greek Mythography C1st - 2nd A.D.
ROMAN
- Hyginus, Fabulae - Latin Mythography C2nd A.D.
- Ovid, Metamorphoses - Latin Epic C1st B.C. - C1st A.D.
BYZANTINE
- Photius, Myriobiblon - Byzantine Greek Scholar C9th A.D.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
A complete bibliography of the translations quoted on this page.