Artemis’s
baby brother Apollo has his own particular issues when it comes to Zeus.
Whereas Artemis is trying to slam on the brakes to forever remain Zeus’s little
girl, Apollo is trying to step up. He wants to be just like dear old dad. He
does this by being a Jack-Of-All-Trades. Whereas most gods have one or two
areas in which they are the absolute master, Apollo spreads out with a variety
of different domains in his godly portfolio.
Like
Artemis, he was born prematurely—two months premature, according to the
myth—but he grew up swiftly. On day four he got his bow and arrows, and with
it, he commenced to hunt down the Python. As discussed earlier, Hera sent the
Python to chase Leto, Apollo’s mother. So Apollo got some payback on her
behalf. He tracked it and dispatched it.
Besides
hunting, Apollo is the god of poetry and music, but he was not born to this.
Instead, he competed with Pan to win this title. This in itself is significant
as it shows off his very competitive nature. Before besting Pan at music, he
got the old goat (pun intended) to give up the secret of prophecy to him, a
trait he shares with Zeus (and Hera).
Prior to
besting Pan at the flute, he challenged a mortal to a contest, who bore a flute
Athena had made The Muses sat in judgement, and were impressed equally by both
performances, but Apollo is competitive to a fault. He must win the game, even if he must cheat to do it. He challenges
his opponent Marsyas to reverse his flute and simultaneously sing, which
obviously can’t be done with this instrument. However, Apollo’s instrument is
stringed, a lyre, so he can both play it reversed and sing quite skillfully
with no difficulty. And, in true godlike fashion, he punishes Marsyas by
flaying him alive, and nailing his skin to a tree. Unlike other gods who punish
those who defeat them, Apollo is a very sore winner, even after cheating to get
his victory.