2-746-285 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

Torso of Apollo, c. 100-200. This ancient statue depicts the mythical god Apollo, identified by the fragmented remains of his kithara, a stringed instrument used by poets and musicians in ancient Greece. The kithara decorated with griffins and the swan it rests upon signify Apollo’s role as the god of music and leader of the Muses. Beloved by the Muses for their song, swans were considered sacred to Apollo because he gave them the gift of prophecy. Swans sing a glorious song before they die, knowing they will soon return to Apollo to be reborn.