Leto:
Leto is the Titan goddess of motherhood and the protectress of children. She layed with Zeus, and, even though her pregnancy happened before Hera’s and Zeus’ marriage, Hera was still jealous and caused Leto many problems during the pregnancy. Hera was the one who pushed Leto out of Olympus. After that, Leto wandered the earth. No one, fearing they would offend Hera, would let Leto stay at their home. Hera had Python chasing Leto, as well. Leto was saved when Zeus sent Boreas, the North Wind, to carry her out to sea. Leto was accepted by the island Delos. Other goddesses gathered on the island Delos to help Leto during her labor. Delos was where she gave birth to her children, Apollo and Artemis. Leto’s problems still continued for a while longer. But she now had two children that became powerful archers to protect her. Apollo, at only four days old, managed to kill Python. Then, when the Euboean giant Tityus tried to rape Leto, the two children killed him. When Niobe made a comment about being more deserving of adulation than Leto, having given birth to seven sons and seven daughters, Artemis and Apollo killed Niobe’s children. Leto, being the mother of two powerful gods, finally returned to Olympus, despite Hera’s disapproval. After Apollo killed the Cyclopes, Leto persuaded Zeus to make Apollo’s punishment lighten. Leto spent a lot of time with her daughter, Artemis, hunting. During the Trojan War, she sided with the Trojans and helped Aeneas heal from his wounds.
- Atlas
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