Source edition
Anonymous. Hesiod, The Homeric Hymns and Homerica. Evelyn-White, Hugh G., editor. London: William Heinmann; New York: The Macmillan Co., 1914.
Source data
Perseus Digital Library · CC BY-SA (per Perseus's terms)
Cloned and adapted by Humanitext, with ongoing edits.
Summary
This epic hymn celebrates the birth of Apollo, the Greek god of light and prophecy, and the establishment of his sacred sanctuaries. The poem is traditionally divided into two parts: the first half depicts his mother Leto's wandering search for a birthplace, culminating in Apollo's birth on the island of Delos and the subsequent festive celebrations there. The second half follows the grown Apollo as he travels through Greece to find a suitable site for his oracle, eventually choosing Crisa at the foot of Mount Parnassus. There, he slays a monstrous serpent, establishing the site of Pytho, and recruits Cretan sailors by transforming into a dolphin to guide them as his priests. The hymn concludes as Apollo reassures his new priests of their livelihood in this barren land and instructs them to guard his temple and uphold his laws.