This dance actually
goes back to the Greco-Roman times with the Greek-Gods "Terpischore
and Apollo." Apollo (Phoebus) was patron or 'God of Music, Prophecy, Healing and Poetry
and was often connected with Terpischore
and the Muses. Apollo was said to be born in Delos to Leto and Zeus and had a twin sister
named "Artemis."
Apollo was the father of Aristaeus, Asclepius, Orpheus and Linus
was son to Apollo and Psamathe (the daughter of Argos), however he was in love with
the nymph Daphne. After the fifth century B.C. Apollo was frequently identified with Helios,
the sun god.
Apollo's chief oracular shrine was at Gaea in Delphi, which
he was said to have seized, while still an infant by slaying the guardian serpent named
Python (the festival of the Stepteria.) Apollo's other notable shrines were at Branchidae,
Claros, Patara, and on the island of Delos.
Other festivals held in Apollo's honor included the yearly
Thargelia, which was to celebrate spring, as well as the Pythia,
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