The boy killed by Apollo was Hyacinthus, a beautiful Spartan prince.
Hyacinthus's Story
Hyacinthus was a beloved companion of Apollo, the Greek god of music, poetry, light, and healing. Apollo was deeply enamored with Hyacinthus, and the two were inseparable.
One day, the god of the West Wind, Zephyr, became jealous of Apollo's affection for Hyacinthus. In a fit of rage, Zephyr interfered with a discus throw competition between Apollo and Hyacinthus. Zephyr blew the discus off course, causing it to strike Hyacinthus in the head, fatally injuring him.
The Flower of Sorrow
Apollo, heartbroken by Hyacinthus's death, transformed his blood into a beautiful flower, the hyacinth. The flower's markings resemble the Greek letter "Υ" (the first letter of Hyacinthus's name), forever reminding Apollo of his lost love.
The Myth's Significance
The myth of Hyacinthus and Apollo is a tragic tale of love, loss, and the fickle nature of fate. It also highlights the power of the gods, who could bring both joy and sorrow to mortals.
