The Mythological Tradition Concerning the Sanctuary of Apollo in Didyma

Abstract

This article is devoted to myths about the sanctuary of Apollo in Didyma and their evolution. The author analyzes myths survived to modern times and di- vides them into three groups: myths about the origin of Didyma, myths about heroes and myths about local cult practices. It is important to note that most of the evidence that has survived we know from books of later antique authors. Although, probably, some of myths were created in the archaic era, but they acquired their final form already in the postclassical time. It is reflected both in the fact that myths interpret the unusual for Greeks name of the legendary progenitor of the sanctuary «Branchos» and that myths connect the sanctuary with the legendary heroes of the polis. The latter was necessary in order to justify the close ties between the sanctuary and Miletus during Hellenistic and Roman periods. The myth of the conception of Apollo in Didyma is also important for understanding ideas of the ancient Milesians. We know about it thanks to the epigraphic sources of the Hellenistic era, but its archaic roots are indirectly confirmed by archaeological finds. This myth justifies the status of Didyma as one of the most significant sanctuaries of Apollo. Myths about cult practices were prob- ably created late and do not reflect the actual ancient rites practiced in Didyma. In general, it can be said that although the mythological tradition has come down to us in a very fragmentary way, it allows us to put Didyma into the context of the most significant Hellenic oracles.