Apollo

 Apollo is the name of a prominent Greek deity, the god of music, poetry, prophecy, archery and medicine (later to be associated with the sun and light). The origin of his name is uncertain, but the Greek Απολλων and is maybe related to an ancient, obsolete word meaning “to drive away” (as in evil). Or perhaps from the Proto-Indo-European root *apelo- meaning “strength” (Pok. 52). Still another theory suggests Apollo means “father light” (given his connection to the sun), while Plato’s 5th century BC work Cratylus (in which the meanings of names are debated) offers several more ideas from  “redemption” to “purification,” “truth and sincerity,” “master of archery,” “togetherness and harmony,” and “destruction.” In any case, Apollo was the son of Zeus and Leto and the twin brother of Artemis (goddess of the hunt, the moon and wild animals). He figures into several Greek mythologies; for instance, when he was four days old, Apollo slew the serpent Python and took possession of the Oracle at Delphi. He is also remembered for his obsessive love for Daphne who, after spurning him and fleeing from his mad pursuit, had herself turned into a laurel tree. For more information on Apollo, see literary references below.