page_title: Hyacinth (mythology)
section_title: Mythology
hierarchical_section_title: Hyacinth (mythology) / Mythology
caption_attribution_description: English: Apollo and Hyacinth. Composite constructed sculpture of historical figure(s) reputed to have had a same sex relationships. Made of various materials &amp; found objects with thin veneer film of bronze patina-ted paint giving appearance of solid bronze. A Metaphor of the appearance of solidity of LGBT rights &amp; equality in law in the UK. Created by artist Malcolm Lidbury for 2016 LGBT History &amp; Art Project Cornwall UK. http://www.gayhistorycornwall.com
context_page_description: Hyacinth or Hyacinthus is a divine hero and a lover of Apollo from Greek mythology. His cult at Amyclae southwest of Sparta dates from the Mycenaean era. A temenos or sanctuary grew up around what was alleged to be his burial mound, which was located in the Classical period at the feet of Apollo's statue. The literary myths serve to link him to local cults, and to identify him with Apollo.
context_section_description: In Greek mythology, Hyacinth was a very beautiful Spartan prince and lover of the god Apollo. Hyacinth was also admired by the West wind Zephyrus, the North wind Boreas and also by a mortal man named Thamyris. But Hyacinth chose Apollo over the others. The couple indulged themselves in hunting and climbing steep, rough mountains around Sparta. With Apollo, Hyacinth visited all of Apollo's sacred lands in the chariot drawn by swans. Apollo taught to his lover the use of bow, of music and the lyre, the art of prophecy and exercises in the gymnasium.
  One day, Apollo was teaching him the game of quoit. They decided to have a friendly competition by taking turns to throw the discus. Apollo threw first, with such a strength that the discus slit the clouds in the sky. Hyacinth ran behind it to catch it and impress Apollo. But as the discus hit the ground, it bounced back, hitting Hyacinth's head and wounding him fatally. Alternatively, Zephyrus is held responsible for the death of Hyacinth. Jealous that Hyacinth preferred the radiant Apollo, Zephyrus blew Apollo's quoit boisterously off course to kill Hyacinth.
  Apollo's face turned as pale as his dying lover as he held him in his arms. He used all his medicinal skills, and even tried giving ambrosia to heal Hyacinth's wound, but in vain, for he couldn't cure the wound done by the Fates. When Hyacinth died, Apollo wept, blaming himself. He wished to become a mortal and join his lover in his death. However, as that was not possible, Apollo promised that he would always remember Hyacinth in his songs and the music of his lyre. From Hyacinth's blood that was spilled, Apollo created a flower, the hyacinth. This flower, on whose petals Apollo had inscribed the words of despair, "AI AI" – "alas" was considered by the Greeks to be the most beautiful of all flowers.
  The Bibliotheca said Thamyris who showed romantic feelings towards Hyacinthus, was the first man to have loved another man.
caption: Apollo holding Hyacinth in his arms (2016), sculpted by Malcolm Lidbury
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