Branchus (lover of Apollo)

In Greek mythology, Branchus was the son of Smyrcus and a lover of Apollo. Initially a shepherd in Miletus, Branchus became a prophet after receiving his prophetic abilities from Apollo. He introduced the worship of the god at Didyma and founded a shrine for him at Miletus. His descendants, the Branchides, were an influential clan of prophets.[1]

Mythology

Birth

Branchus was the son of Smyrcus and a distinguished Milesian woman. When giving birth, the mother had a vision of the sun entering her mouth, passing through her stomach and emerging out from her genitals. The seers took this to be an excellent omen. The son born was named Branchus, since the sun had passes through her bronchia (throat).[2]

Encounter with Apollo

Branchus grew up to be the most handsome of the men. One day, he came across Apollo 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. After Branchus suddenly disappeared, an altar was built on the place he kissed Apollo.[3][4]

A different narration is given by Callimachus. One day, Apollo left Delos 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.[5][6] 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 graze to the flocks. After they became lovers, Apollo taught Branchus the mantic arts. Apollo also looked after the flocks while Branchus practiced the art.[7][8] 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 was used by him to cure illness of the Milesians.[9][10]

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).[11] Temples dedicated to Branchus alone were called Branchiadon. The oracles given by him were said to be second only to Apollo's oracles at Delphi. The Branchides, who claimed descent from Branchus, were an important clan of prophets.[12]

References
  1. Pliny, Naturalis Historia, 5. 112
  2. Conon, Narrations, 33.4
  3. Conon, Narrations, 33.4
  4. Eddy Fontenrose, Joseph (1988), Didyma: Apollo's Oracle, Cult, and Companions
  5. Callimachus, Iambus Fr. 217 Pf.
  6. Benjamin Acosta-Hughes, Luigi Lehnus, Susan Stephens (2011), Brill's Companion to Callimachus
  7. Philostratus, Epistolae 8.57.4
  8. Philip R. Hardie (1999), Virgil: General articles and the Eclogues
  9. Callimachus, Iambus Fr.229 Pf.
  10. Pfeiffer, Rudolf (1923) Callimachi fragmenta nuper reperta
  11. Conon, Narrations, 33
  12. Eddy Fontenrose, Joseph (1988), Didyma: Apollo's Oracle, Cult, and Companions
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