Phoebus-Apollo, the god of
Light, Prophecy, Music, Poetry, and the Arts and Sciences, is by far the
noblest conception within the whole range of Greek mythology, and his worship,
which not only extended to all the states of Greece, but also to Asia Minor and
to every Greek colony throughout the world, stands out among the most ancient
and strongly-marked features of Grecian history, and exerted a more decided
influence over the Greek nation, than that of any other deity, not excepting
Zeus himself.
Apollo was the son of Zeus and
Leto, and was born beneath the shade of a palm tree which grew at the foot {69}
of Mount Cynthus, on the barren and rocky island of Delos. The poets tell us
that the earth smiled when the young god first beheld the light of day, and
that Delos became so proud and exultant at the honour thus conferred upon her,
that she covered herself with golden flowers; swans surrounded the island, and
the Delian nymphs celebrated his birth with songs of joy.