Apollo
According to Hesiod's Theogony, Apollo was the son of the Olympian Zeus and the Titan Leto, and the brother of the goddess Artemis. Hera, the wife of Zeus, discovered that her husband had impregnated yet another goddess, the Titan Leto. In her anger, Hera would not allow Leto to bear her children (remember, she was pregnant with), and the land itself was afraid to provide a shelter for Leto because of the fear of Hera's notorious retribution.
Finally, Leto found an island that was willing to allow her to give birth, and this island was named Delos ("brilliant") in honor of the divine site. She gave birth to the twin gods Apollo and Artemis. Apollo was then cared for by Themis, who fed him nectar and ambrosia for a few days, after which time he was an adult capable of assuming the full responsibilities of a god.
Shortly after his birth Apollo travelled the earth and ascended Olympus, charming all with his music.
He left Olympus and near Delphi, encountered and killed the enormous serpent Python after which he established an oracle. He conquered several other mythological figures and had numerous lovers and his many amorous conquests.
Apollo is associated principally with order, harmony, and civilization as well as music, divination and prophecy, sickness, and medicine.
