Apollo Defeating the Python at The Louvre, Paris

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The Python of Delphi was a monstrous serpent with a body like a snake. This fearsome creature made its lair on Mount Parnassus in central Greece. Wherever it roamed, it released a foul stench and spread chaos and destruction. Python was once unleashed by Hera, the wife of Zeus, to chase Leto, Zeus' pregnant lover, so that she couldn't find a safe place to give birth. By the time Apollo, Leto's four-day-old son, was born strong as an ox, he already had a silver bow with golden arrows given to him by Hephaestus, the blacksmith god. Apollo decided to kill Python and take revenge after receiving his gift from Hephaestus. He rushed to the creature's cave, seeking out Python. When they faced each other, Python boiled over with rage and lunged at Apollo to devour him whole. But Apollo was quicker and managed to throw an arrow that pierced Python right between its eyes. Python let out a blood-curdling scream that echoed through the canyons of Mount Parnassus as it struggled hard to survive... but in the end, it succumbed to death. The death of Python filled Apollo with joy, so he picked up his lyre and started playing a triumphant song, giving joy to people everywhere. This was the moment when Apollo became the god of music. Right after finishing his song, Apollo took the creature's body and buried it under the slopes of Mount Parnassus. On its surface, he built the famous oracle of Delphi, also known as the "Pythia". However, Apollo had committed a serious crime, and according to the laws of Mount Olympus, he needed to be purified. Therefore, Zeus ordered Apollo to institute the Pythian Games at Delphi so that athletic and musical competitions could take place there every four years in his honor. Apollo followed the order and even participated in the games himself. From then on, the Pythian Games were held every four years in Apollo's honor.