Hello everyone, welcome back to "Greek Mythology Gods." In this mythological world filled with mystery and wonder, we'll embark on another journey, following the footsteps of the gods and exploring the eternal legends of fate and power.
In the world of Greek mythology, each deity shines with their own unique brilliance. Last time, we explored the heart-wrenching story of Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty.
Today, we'll turn our attention to another shining god—Apollo, the god of music and light. He is the epitome of art and the embodiment of reason and harmony. From the sound of a golden harp to the dazzling sunlight, everything belongs to him. Let's delve into the legendary world of Apollo, the "God of Music."
One day, the goddess Athena displayed her deer bone flute at a banquet, only to discover Hera and Aphrodite mocking her behind her back. Shamefully, Athena threw the flute away and cursed it—whoever picked it up would suffer misfortune.
Soon, the forest god Marsyas passed by and picked up theflute. The melodious sound delighted him, and he treasured it from then on.
Marsyas's flute's music quickly spread throughout the forest, drawing widespread admiration. When word reached Apollo,the god of music, he was dissatisfied. He wondered how anyone could surpass him in music. So he challenged Marsyas to a contest to see who was the greatest musician. The Muses served as judges, and the two were evenly matched. Unwilling to accept this, Apollo proposed a second contest—one in which Marsyas played and sang at the same time. Marsyas attempted to imitate, but failed miserably. Apollo used this as an excuse to punish him by having him skinnedalive. Perhaps this tragedy was the fulfillment of Athena's curse.
Apollo won the contest, but lost his tolerance. His music remains popular, but people also remember his arrogance. In Greek mythology, gods also suffer from human weaknesses—envy, pride, and vanity. It's precisely these things that make their stories so reminiscent of our own.
Next episode, we'll continue our journey into the world of Greek mythology. Phaethon, son of the sun god Helios, sought to prove his divine status by riding his father's sun chariot. However, his arrogance ignited a celestial fire, ultimately leading to his death by Zeus's lightning bolt. A grief-stricken Apollo avenged his son by killing the Cyclops. Moved by hisfather's love, Zeus transformed Asklipios into a god of medicine, entrusting him with eternal protection over the world. Behind this story of light and fire, life and redemption, the fates of many more gods await discovery—stay tuned.
Thank you for listening to "Greek Mythology Gods." May the stories of the gods bring you light and reflection. Next episode, we'll continue our journey into the depths of ancient Greek mythology, hearing legends of fate and eternity. We look forward to seeing you again!
For further reading, you can refer to the following:
Apollo- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo
Marsyas- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marsyas
If you’d like to dive deeper beyond the stories, you can also explore sculptures inspired by these myths here:
https://www.arturbanstatue.com/other-product/greek-and-roman-statues/