By: Anaya Betancourt
Hyacinthus was a beautiful Spartan prince who attracted the affection of many. Even the gods. Among his admirers were Zephyrus, the god of the west wind and Apollo, the god of prophecy and art. Yet the one Hyacinthus reciprocated his feelings for was Apollo, who had felt such a strong love for him that he would abandon Delphi to enjoy the company of Hyacinthus. Apollo had taught him how to use a bow and how to play the lyre, alongside the art of prophecy. Hyacinthus, like most Spartans, loved sports, so Apollo and Hyacinthus decided to play a game of discus. Little did they know, Zephyrus had such a boiling jealousy that in a fit of envious rage, he made the discus hit Hyacinthus in the side of the head, killing him, leaving Apollo wailing in sorrow for the loss of his loved one. Apollo, who was unable to save Hyacinthus, turned him into a flower, granting him immortality, unlike others, who had been turned into gods and goddesses.