#he deserves more recognition

GUYS WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT THIS MYTH.

Ok ok so I was doing some research for …something, and I stumbled upon the myth of Branchus and OML it is so great. Branchus was a lover of Apollo, and there are two versions of the myth of their relationship.

1. Apollo was walking in a field one day when Branchus saw him passing by. Branchus was so infatuated with Apollo that he immediately ran up and kissed him. Apollo was totally down for this and bada bing bada boom they were together.

2. Apollo was returning from establishing his Delphic oracle (and turning into a dolphin but that’s irrelevant) when he happened upon a shepherd in the fields. Apollo was so infatuated that he disguised himself as a goatherd so that he could flirt with the shepherd. Apollo tells the shepherd, who is Branchus, that he can totally milk all of Branchus’ goats, no need for thanks, by the way what’s your start sign? Etc, etc. This plan goes perfectly until Apollo gets so distracted by Branchus’ beauty that he accidentally milks a male goat. Branchus points out that Apollo is doing something physically impossible, and Apollo reveals his divine status out of embarrassment. And then they get together.

In both versions of the myth, they have a very successful relationship. Apollo ends up giving Branchus the gift of prophecy, and Branchus fathers the second most important prophetic family line in Greek mythology, only second to the priests of Delphi.

This is adorable, I love this.