Greek Myths XS: Apollo and Branchos

Branchos was not your average Greek herdsman. He was far too good looking, too well mannered, too kind hearted and too talented to fit in. He had friends, he had admirers, but what he really craved, was a soulmate. Enter Apollo. He had been disappointed in love – again – and when he heard Branchos’ melancholic air on the pan pipes, it felt like listening to his own story. The two connected on a deep level, though Branchos was a bit apprehensive at first, Apollo being a god. But when Apollo offered to help milking and looked for an udder under a billy goat, he howled with laughter. It broke the ban, and the two lived some beautiful summers of love. Branchos was Apollo’s anchor, and Apollo was Branchos’ pride and joy. The god bestowed him with the gift of prophecy, and his descendants, the “Branchidae” have been respected seers ever since. Especially since they provided their clients with the answers they expected and wanted to hear. An inspirational business model, as has been clearly demonstrated in recent years.

Herdsman, Roman Relief, Walters Art Museum, Baltimore, Maryland, USA

Le berger Corydon, Hippolyte Ferrat, Musée Granet, Aix-en-Provence, France