Branchus (; , from ' meaning windpipe) was the son of
Smyrcus and a lover of the god
Apollo
Apollo is one of the Twelve Olympians, Olympian deities in Ancient Greek religion, ancient Greek and Ancient Roman religion, Roman religion and Greek mythology, Greek and Roman mythology. Apollo has been recognized as a god of archery, mu ...
in
Greek mythology
Greek mythology is the body of myths originally told by the Ancient Greece, ancient Greeks, and a genre of ancient Greek folklore, today absorbed alongside Roman mythology into the broader designation of classical mythology. These stories conc ...
. Initially a shepherd in
Miletus
Miletus (Ancient Greek: Μίλητος, Mílētos) was an influential ancient Greek city on the western coast of Anatolia, near the mouth of the Maeander River in present day Turkey. Renowned in antiquity for its wealth, maritime power, and ex ...
, Branchus became a prophet after receiving prophetic abilities from Apollo. He introduced the worship of the god at
Didyma
Didyma (; ) was an Ancient Greece, ancient Greek sanctuary on the coast of Ionia in the domain of the famous city of Miletus. Apollo was the main deity of the sanctuary of Didyma, also called ''Didymaion''. But it was home to both of the Ancient ...
and founded a shrine for him at Miletus. His descendants, the Branchides, were an influential clan of prophets.
Mythology
Birth
Branchus was the son of Smyrcus and a distinguished Milesian woman. When giving birth, his mother had a vision of the sun entering her mouth, passing through her stomach and emerging from her genitals. The seers took this to be an excellent omen, and so her son was named Branchus, since the sun had passed through her ''bronchia'' (throat).
Conon
Conon () (before 443 BC – ) was an Athenian general at the end of the Peloponnesian War, who led the Athenian naval forces when they were defeated by a Peloponnesian fleet in the crucial Battle of Aegospotami; later he contributed significantly ...
, ''Narrations'
33
/ref>
Encounter with Apollo
Branchus grew up to be the most handsome of men. One day, he came across Apollo
Apollo is one of the Twelve Olympians, Olympian deities in Ancient Greek religion, ancient Greek and Ancient Roman religion, Roman religion and Greek mythology, Greek and Roman mythology. Apollo has been recognized as a god of archery, mu ...
in the woods and, being enchanted with the beauty of the god, kissed him. Apollo embraced him and returned his affections. Later Apollo gave him a crown and a magical staff, and breathed the gift of prophecy into him. Having received these gifts, Branchus became a prophet and a priest of Apollo. He established the cult of Apollo at Didyma
Didyma (; ) was an Ancient Greece, ancient Greek sanctuary on the coast of Ionia in the domain of the famous city of Miletus. Apollo was the main deity of the sanctuary of Didyma, also called ''Didymaion''. But it was home to both of the Ancient ...
. After Branchus suddenly disappeared, an altar was built on the place he kissed Apollo.Callimachus
Callimachus (; ; ) was an ancient Greek poet, scholar, and librarian who was active in Alexandria during the 3rd century BC. A representative of Ancient Greek literature of the Hellenistic period, he wrote over 800 literary works, most of which ...
. One day, Apollo left Delos
Delos (; ; ''Dêlos'', ''Dâlos''), is a small Greek island near Mykonos, close to the centre of the Cyclades archipelago. Though only in area, it is one of the most important mythological, historical, and archaeological sites in Greece. ...
on a dolphin and reached a place called ''hiera hyle'' (sacred woods). It was there that he saw Branchus tending to his flocks and felt attracted to him. Wanting to seduce the mortal, Apollo appeared to him disguised as a goatherd. He first offered assistance in milking the goats, but the distracted god ended up milking a billy goat
The goat or domestic goat (''Capra hircus'') is a species of goat-antelope that is mostly kept as livestock. It was domesticated from the wild goat (''C. aegagrus'') of Southwest Asia and Eastern Europe. The goat is a member of the family Bo ...
. Embarrassed, Apollo revealed his divine nature. In order to persuade Branchus to abandon the herding and accompany him instead, Apollo guaranteed the safety and promised a supply of good grazing to the flocks. After they became lovers, Apollo taught Branchus the mantic arts. Apollo also looked after the flocks while Branchus practiced the art. On becoming a prophet, Branchus is said to have transplanted a shoot of the laurel tree at Delphi in the precinct of Didyma. The branches of this laurel tree were used by him to cure illness of the Milesians.[ Pfeiffer, Rudolf (1923) ''Callimachi fragmenta nuper reperta'']
Milesians built temples dedicated to Branchus and Apollo and named them ''Philesia'', after the kiss of Branchus. There, the god was worshipped under the name ''Apollo Philesius'' (Apollo of the kiss).Delphi
Delphi (; ), in legend previously called Pytho (Πυθώ), was an ancient sacred precinct and the seat of Pythia, the major oracle who was consulted about important decisions throughout the ancient Classical antiquity, classical world. The A ...
. The Branchides, who claimed descent from Branchus, were an important clan of prophets.[Eddy Fontenrose, Joseph (1988), ''Didyma: Apollo's Oracle, Cult, and Companions'']
See also
* Cyparissus
In Greek mythology, Cyparissus or Kyparissos () was a boy beloved by Apollo, or, in some versions, by other deities. In the best-known version of the story, the favorite companion of Cyparissus was a tamed stag, which he accidentally killed wi ...
* Hyacinthus
Footnotes
References
{{Reflist
Male lovers of Apollo
Mythological Greek seers
Deeds of Apollo
Classical oracles
Greek mythology of Anatolia