ApolloAmong the Olympian gods the one most widely worshipped was Apollo, son of Zeus and Leto. According to Greek mythology, Leto was driven by Hera from land to land until at last Poseidon took pity on her and brought the island of Delos out of water for her to live on. There she gave birth to the twins, Apollo and Artemis.Apollo was the sun-god. Dressed in a purple robe, he sat in his bright eastern palace at dawn and made ready to start his daily journey across the sky. During the day he rode in his carriage of gold and ivory, and brought light, life and love to the world below. At dusk he came to the end of his journey in the far western sea and got on his golden boat to return to his eastern palace.Apollo was the god of music and poetry. With his lyre of gold and his god-like voice he led the choir of the muses at Olympus. The music from his lyre was so inspiring that stones marched into their places in rhythmic time. On one occasion, challenged to a contest by the mortal musician Marsyas, he first excelled him and then whipped him to death for his pride. On another occasion, he lost out to Pan at a musical contest and transformed the ears of the judge, King Midas, into those of an ass.His son, Orpheus, inherited such skill from the father that his harp moved man and beast alike.Apollo represented youthful, manly beauty. His golden hair and stately manners combined to make him the admiration of the world. A fair maiden, by the name of Clytie, loved his beauty and glory so much that from dawn to dusk she knelt on the ground, her hands outstretched towards the sun-god, and her eyes gazing at his golden-wheeled carriage racing across the sky. Though her love was not returned she had never changed her mind about Apollo. The gods were moved at the maiden, and transformed her into a sunflower.