BRANCHUS IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY
Branchus was a seer from Greek mythology, some call him a son of Apollo, whilst some say he was the lover of the god. In antiquity Branchus was considered the ancestor of the Branchidae, the powerful clan of seers who controlled the Oracle at Didyma.
The Birth of branchus
Branchus was said to either be the son of Smicrus of Delphi and a noble woman of Miletus, or else his father was the god Apollo born to the same woman.
Whilst in labour Branchus’ mother dreamt that the sun entered her mouth, travelled down through her body; seers brought in to interpret, took this to mean that the boy to be born was favoured by Apollo.
When born, the boy was named Branchus, after the Greek for throat, for it was through the throat that the sun had passed.
Whilst in labour Branchus’ mother dreamt that the sun entered her mouth, travelled down through her body; seers brought in to interpret, took this to mean that the boy to be born was favoured by Apollo.
When born, the boy was named Branchus, after the Greek for throat, for it was through the throat that the sun had passed.
Branchus and Apollo as Lovers
Some say that Branchus inherited his prophetic ability from Apollo, others say that it was a gift from the god, for Branchus and Apollo became lovers.
Branchus had grown up into a beautiful young man, with Branchus’ livelihood being that of husbandry. Taken by his beauty, Apollo wished to seduce Branchus, and so disguising himself as a goatherd, Apollo walked amongst Branchus’ flock.
To help, Apollo would milk some of Branchus’ goats, but when he successfully milked a male goat, Apollo revealed his true divinity.
Branchus and Apollo would become lovers, and whilst Apollo taught Branchus the prophetic arts, the god also helped look after Branchus’ animals.
Branchus was said to have instigated the worship of Apollo at Didyma, near Miletus, and created the Oracle there, where Branchus was the first priest.
Branchus had grown up into a beautiful young man, with Branchus’ livelihood being that of husbandry. Taken by his beauty, Apollo wished to seduce Branchus, and so disguising himself as a goatherd, Apollo walked amongst Branchus’ flock.
To help, Apollo would milk some of Branchus’ goats, but when he successfully milked a male goat, Apollo revealed his true divinity.
Branchus and Apollo would become lovers, and whilst Apollo taught Branchus the prophetic arts, the god also helped look after Branchus’ animals.
Branchus was said to have instigated the worship of Apollo at Didyma, near Miletus, and created the Oracle there, where Branchus was the first priest.
Branchus and the Branchidae
Branchus was considered to be the ancestor of the Branchidae, the family of priests who ran the Oracle at Didyma throughout antiquity, until Didyma was taken by Xerxes.
At Didyma the priestess of the Oracle would make utterances whilst seated above a sacred stream. The words of the Didyma Sibyl were then interpreted by the Branchidae.
At Didyma the priestess of the Oracle would make utterances whilst seated above a sacred stream. The words of the Didyma Sibyl were then interpreted by the Branchidae.
|
|
Colin Quartermain - Branchus - 16th October 2021