Apollo and Daphne

myminifactory

Apollo, one of the most powerful gods and a great warrior, mocked the god of love, Eros (Cupid), saying, "What are you doing with such powerful weapons, naughty boy?"; "That equipment of yours would fit my shoulders perfectly, which are capable of giving certain wounds to wild animals and enemies. I recently killed the swollen Python with countless arrows, and that beast was crushing many acres with its disease-ridden stomach! You'll be content provoking some loves by your fire, not claiming my honors." The insulted Eros then prepared two arrows: one made of gold and one of lead. He shot Apollo with the gold arrow, instilling in him a passionate love for the nymph Daphne. He shot Daphne with the lead arrow, instilling in her a strong hatred for Apollo. Since she had taken after Artemis (Diana), Daphne had rejected many potential suitors, preferring woodland sports and exploring the forest. Due to her identity as an "aemula Phoebes" (female rival or emulator of Artemis), she dedicated herself to perpetual virginity. Her father, the river god Peneus, demanded that she get married and give him grandchildren. However, Daphne beseeched her father to let her remain unmarried; he eventually complied. Apollo continually followed her, begging her to stay, but the nymph continued her flight. They were evenly matched in their race until Eros intervened, helping Apollo catch up to Daphne. Seeing that Apollo was about to reach her, she called upon her father, "Help me, Peneus! Open the earth to enclose me, or change my form, which has led me into this danger! Let me be free of this man from this moment forward!" And with Peneus answering her plea, "A heavy numbness seizes her limbs; her soft breasts are surrounded by a thin bark, her hair changes into foliage, her forearms change into branches; her foot, just now swift, now clings because of sluggish roots." She was transformed into a laurel tree. In spite of Daphne's rejection, Apollo vowed to love her forever: "Always my hair will have you, my lyres will have you, my quivers will have you, laurel tree. You'll be present in two Latin places when the happy voice sings a triumph and they visit the great ceremonies at the Capitoline Hill." Apollo also used his powers of eternal youth and immortality to make Daphne evergreen. For this reason, the leaves of the Bay laurel tree do not decay. This object is part of "Scan The World". Scan The World is a non-profit initiative introduced by MyMiniFactory, through which we are creating a digital archive of fully 3D printable sculptures, artworks, and landmarks from across the globe for the public to access for free. Scan The World is an open-source community effort. If you have interesting items around you and would like to contribute, email stw@myminifactory.com to find out how you can help.