Leto

Goddess

In ancient Greek mythology and religion, Leto (; Ancient Greek: Λητώ, romanized: Lētṓ, pronounced [lεːˈtɔː]) is the mother of Apollo and Artemis. She is the daughter of the Titans Coeus and Phoebe, and the sister of Asteria.

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Mentions
10
Connected characters
4
Books
8
Leto. Latona with the infants Apollo and Artemis, by Francesco Pozzi, 1824, marble - Sculpture Gallery, Chatsworth House - Derbyshire, England - DSC03504
Latona with the infants Apollo and Artemis, by Francesco Pozzi, 1824, marble - Sculpture Gallery, Chatsworth House - Derbyshire, England - DSC03504 · DaderotImage source Public domain

Mentions in the Iliad

A. T. Murray, Loeb Classical Library, Harvard University Press, 1924 · Homer, Iliad with an English Translation · CC BY-SA 3.0 US

“from the time when first they parted in strife Atreus' son, king of men, and brilliant Achilles. Who then of the gods was it that brought these two together to contend? The son of Leto and Zeus; for he in anger against the king roused throughout the host an evil pestilence, and the people began to perish,”
Il. 1.5–9
“to the lord Apollo, whom fair-haired Leto bore: Hear me, god of the silver bow, who stand over Chryse and holy Cilla, and rule mightily over Tenedos, Sminthian god, if ever I roofed over a temple to your pleasing, or if ever I burned to you fat thigh-pieces of bulls and goats,”
Il. 1.35–39
“Aeneas then did Apollo set apart from the throng in sacred Pergamus where was his temple builded. There Leto and the archer Artemis healed him in the great sanctuary, and glorified him; but Apollo of the silver bow fashioned a wraith”
Il. 5.445–449
“and Semele bare Dionysus, the joy of mortals; nor of Demeter, the fair-tressed queen; nor of glorious Leto; nay, nor yet of thine own self, as now I love thee, and sweet desire layeth hold of me. Then with crafty mind the queenly Hera spake unto him:”
Il. 14.325–329
“Zeus, the son of Cronos, and Apollo, vouchsafed victory, they that subdued me full easily, for of themselves they took the harness from my shoulders. But if twenty such as thou had faced me, here would all have perished, slain by my spear. Nay, it was baneful Fate and the son of Leto that slew me,”
Il. 16.845–849
“but a mighty god and overpowering Fate. For it was not through sloth or slackness of ours that the Trojans availed to strip the harness from the shoulders of Patroclus, but one, far the best of gods, even he that fair-haired Leto bare, slew him amid the foremost fighters and gave glory to Hector.”
Il. 19.410–414
“and Leto and Xanthus and laughter-loving Aphrodite. Now as long as the gods were afar from the mortal men, even for so long triumphed the Achaeans mightily, seeing Achilles was come forth, albeit he had long kept him aloof from grievous battle; but upon the Trojans came dread trembling on the limbs of every man”
Il. 20.40–44
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Connections

Beloved · Sources
Beloved · Sources

Лето — возлюбленная Зевса: прямо подтверждено словами Зевса в Илиаде; связь не обозначена как супружество.

Homer, Iliad 14, trans. A. T. Murray (Theoi Classical Texts Library) · Iliad 14.327–327
and Semele bare Dionysus, the joy of mortals; nor of Demeter, the fair-tressed queen; nor of glorious Leto; nay, nor yet of thine own self, as now I love thee, and sweet desire layeth hold of me. Then with crafty mind the queenly Hera spake unto him:
Il. 14.327

Il. 14.327

Son · Sources
Son · Sources
from the time when first they parted in strife Atreus' son, king of men, and brilliant Achilles. Who then of the gods was it that brought these two together to contend? The son of Leto and Zeus; for he in anger against the king roused throughout the host an evil pestilence, and the people began to perish,
Il. 1.9
to the lord Apollo, whom fair-haired Leto bore: Hear me, god of the silver bow, who stand over Chryse and holy Cilla, and rule mightily over Tenedos, Sminthian god, if ever I roofed over a temple to your pleasing, or if ever I burned to you fat thigh-pieces of bulls and goats,
Il. 1.36
Zeus, the son of Cronos, and Apollo, vouchsafed victory, they that subdued me full easily, for of themselves they took the harness from my shoulders. But if twenty such as thou had faced me, here would all have perished, slain by my spear. Nay, it was baneful Fate and the son of Leto that slew me,
Il. 16.849

Il. 1.9 · Il. 1.36 · Il. 16.849 · Il. 19.413 · Il. 24.607–608

Daughter · Sources
Daughter · Sources
The sons Apollo slew with shafts from his silver bow, being wroth against Niobe, and the daughters the archer Artemis, for that Niobe had matched her with fair-cheeked Leto, saying that the goddess had borne but twain, while herself was mother to many; wherefore they, for all they were but twain, destroyed them all.
Il. 24.607–608

Il. 24.607–608

Poetic resemblance · Sources
Poetic resemblance · Sources
The sons Apollo slew with shafts from his silver bow, being wroth against Niobe, and the daughters the archer Artemis, for that Niobe had matched her with fair-cheeked Leto, saying that the goddess had borne but twain, while herself was mother to many; wherefore they, for all they were but twain, destroyed them all.
Il. 24.607

Il. 24.607

In art

Cobija. Birth of Apollo. собрание не указано. CC0. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3ABirth_of_Apollo.jpg

Photograph / reproduction: Cobija

Photograph / reproduction date: 2015-05-18 17:42:56

Andrea Locatelli. Letô turns peasants into Frogs. Musée d'art et d'histoire de Narbonne. Public domain. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q107316653

Jan Brueghel the Elder. Latona and the Lycian Peasants. Rijksmuseum. Public domain. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q17319735

Anonymous Unknown author. Othea's Epistle (Queen's Manuscript) 20. собрание не указано. Public domain. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AOthea%27s_Epistle_%28Queen%27s_Manuscript%29_20.jpg

Photograph / reproduction: AnonymousUnknown author

Photograph / reproduction date: 15th century

Blackcat. Roma Museo Etrusco Statua Latona. собрание не указано. CC BY-SA 4.0. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3ARoma_Museo_Etrusco_Statua_Latona.jpg

Photograph / reproduction: Blackcat

Photograph / reproduction date: 2017-09-30 17:58:27

Jean-Joseph Balechou / Louis-Jacques Cathelin / After Filippo Lauri. Latone vengée. собрание не указано. Public domain. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3ALatone_Veng%C3%A9e_Bal%C3%A9chou_Jean-Joseph_Cathelin.jpg

Photograph / reproduction: Jean-Joseph Balechou / Louis-Jacques Cathelin / After Filippo Lauri

Photograph / reproduction date: 1787

Nicolas de Launay / After Charles Monnet. Jupiter métamorphose en grenouilles des paysans qui avaient insulté Latone. собрание не указано. Public domain. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AOvide_-_M%C3%A9tamorphoses_-_II_-_Jupiter_et_Latone.jpg

Photograph / reproduction: Nicolas de Launay / After Charles Monnet

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Wenceslaus Hollar. Latona. собрание не указано. Public domain. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AWenceslas_Hollar_-_Latona.jpg

Photograph / reproduction: Wenceslaus Hollar

Photograph / reproduction date: 1649

Wenceslaus Hollar. Latona .. собрание не указано. Public domain. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AWenceslas_Hollar_-_Latona_2.jpg

Photograph / reproduction: Wenceslaus Hollar

Photograph / reproduction date: 1649

Александр Байдуков. Elagin island. The kitchen building. Latona sculpture on the facade. собрание не указано. CC BY-SA 4.0. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AElagin_island._The_kitchen_building._Latona_sculpture_on_the_facade.jpg

Photograph / reproduction: Александр Байдуков

Photograph / reproduction date: 2020-10-18 12:29:02

Gaspard and Balthazard Marsy. Latona Fountain. CC BY-SA 3.0. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q14626964

Magdalena van de Passe / After Adam Elsheimer. Latona changes the Lycian peasants into frogs label QS:Len,"Latona changes the Lycian peasants into frogs" label QS:Lde,"Latona verwandelt die lykischen Bauern in Frösche". собрание не указано. Public domain. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AMagdalena_van_de_Passe_-_Latona_and_the_Lycian_peasants_%28Fogg_Museum%29.jpg

Photograph / reproduction: Magdalena van de Passe / After Adam Elsheimer

Sailko. Arte romana, latona in fuga con artemide e apollo, 350-400 dc ca. (kunstsien stichting). собрание не указано. CC BY 3.0. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AArte_romana%2C_latona_in_fuga_con_artemide_e_apollo%2C_350-400_dc_ca._%28kunstsien_stichting%29.jpg

Photograph / reproduction: Sailko

Photograph / reproduction date: 2020-08-13 11:31:51

Claude Du Bosc / After Jean Jouvenet. Leto and the Lycian Peasants label QS:Lru,"Лето и ликийские крестьяне" label QS:Lfr,"Latone" label QS:Len,"Leto and the Lycian Peasants" label QS:Lnl,"Leto verandert de boeren in kikkers". собрание не указано. Public domain. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AClaude_Du_Bosc_after_Jean-Baptiste_Jouvenet%2C_Leto_and_the_Lycian_Peasants%2C_1714%2C_Rijksmuseum_RP-P-1905-2842.jpg

Photograph / reproduction: Claude Du Bosc / After Jean Jouvenet

Photograph / reproduction date: 1714

Sailko. Pesaro, latona, 1545 ca.. собрание не указано. CC BY-SA 3.0. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3APesaro%2C_latona%2C_1545_ca..JPG

Photograph / reproduction: Sailko

Photograph / reproduction date: 2012-09-26 10:35:32

Lazar Widmann (Bohemia, 1699-1769). Latona with Her Children Apollo and Diana. собрание не указано. Public domain. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3ALatona_with_Her_Children_Apollo_and_Diana_LACMA_M.78.86.jpg

Photograph / reproduction: Lazar Widmann (Bohemia, 1699-1769)

Photograph / reproduction date: circa 1742

Zde. Apollonian Triad, Leto, bronze statue, 750 BC, AMH 247, 145333. собрание не указано. CC BY-SA 4.0. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AApollonian_Triad%2C_Leto%2C_bronze_statue%2C_750_BC%2C_AMH_247%2C_145333.jpg

Photograph / reproduction: Zde

Photograph / reproduction date: 2014-09-03 16:53:31

Carole Raddato from FRANKFURT, Germany. Statue of Leto, from the Roman theatre, end of 2nd century AD, Hierapolis Archaeological Museum, Turkey (17076417008). собрание не указано. CC BY-SA 2.0. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AStatue_of_Leto%2C_from_the_Roman_theatre%2C_end_of_2nd_century_AD%2C_Hierapolis_Archaeological_Museum%2C_Turkey_%2817076417008%29.jpg

Photograph / reproduction: Carole Raddato from FRANKFURT, Germany

Photograph / reproduction date: 2015-04-03 13:37

Delaune, Etienne (c1518-c1583). History of Apollo and Diana Latona changes the inhabitants of Lycia into frogs PK-P-124.466, PK-P-128.179. собрание не указано. CC BY 4.0. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AHistory_of_Apollo_and_Diana_Latona_changes_the_inhabitants_of_Lycia_into_frogs_PK-P-124.466%2C_PK-P-128.179.tiff

Photograph / reproduction: Delaune, Etienne (c1518-c1583)

Photograph / reproduction date: Unknown date

Tangopaso. Leto fuyant avec ses enfants Apollo et Artemis (Torlonia). собрание не указано. Public domain. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3ALeto_fuyant_avec_ses_enfants_Apollo_et_Artemis_%28Torlonia%29.jpg

Photograph / reproduction: Tangopaso

Photograph / reproduction date: 2024-07-03

Painter of the Milan Marsyas. C.sf., urbino, pittore di marsia di milano, tondino con latona e i lici 1525-1535 circa. собрание не указано. CC BY 2.5. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AC.sf.%2C_urbino%2C_pittore_di_marsia_di_milano%2C_tondino_con_latona_e_i_lici_1525-1535_circa.JPG

Photograph / reproduction: Painter of the Milan Marsyas

Photograph / reproduction date: circa 1525-1535

Original artwork: Unknown, attributed to the Nekyia Painter Original photograph: Met museum Original uploader: User:Pharos Uploader of cropped version: User:Michael Aurel. Leto, terracotta calyx-krater, c. 450–440 BC. собрание не указано. CC0. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3ALeto%2C_terracotta_calyx-krater%2C_c._450%E2%80%93440_BC.jpg

Photograph / reproduction: Original artwork: Unknown, attributed to the Nekyia Painter Original photograph: Met museum Original uploader: User:Pharos Uploader of cropped version: User:Michael Aurel

Photograph / reproduction date: c. 450–440 BC

Tangopaso. Latone transforme les paysans en grenouilles (Louvre, R 961). собрание не указано. Public domain. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3ALatone_transforme_les_paysans_en_grenouilles_%28Louvre%2C_R_961%29.jpg

Photograph / reproduction: Tangopaso

Photograph / reproduction date: 2025-12-11

Internet Archive Book Images. Les metamorphoses d'Ovide - en latin et en françois (1767) (14579684100). собрание не указано. No restrictions. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3ALes_metamorphoses_d%27Ovide_-_en_latin_et_en_fran%C3%A7ois_%281767%29_%2814579684100%29.jpg

Photograph / reproduction: Internet Archive Book Images

Photograph / reproduction date: 1767

Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres. Ingres - MI.867.2008, Mnémosyne et Latone. собрание не указано. Public domain. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AIngres_-_MI.867.2008%2C_Mn%C3%A9mosyne_et_Latone.jpg

Photograph / reproduction: Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres

Daderot. Latona with the infants Apollo and Artemis, by Francesco Pozzi, 1824, marble - Sculpture Gallery, Chatsworth House - Derbyshire, England - DSC03504. собрание не указано. Public domain. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3ALatona_with_the_infants_Apollo_and_Artemis%2C_by_Francesco_Pozzi%2C_1824%2C_marble_-_Sculpture_Gallery%2C_Chatsworth_House_-_Derbyshire%2C_England_-_DSC03504.jpg

Photograph / reproduction: Daderot

Photograph / reproduction date: 2016-06-18 11:26:10

Stefano della Bella / Jean Desmarets / Henri Le Gras. Latona, from 'Game of Mythology' (Jeu de la Mythologie). собрание не указано. CC0. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3ALatona%2C_from_%27Game_of_Mythology%27_%28Jeu_de_la_Mythologie%29_MET_DP817677.jpg

Photograph / reproduction: Stefano della Bella / Jean Desmarets / Henri Le Gras

Photograph / reproduction date: 1644

Carmen Escobar Carrio. Leto, Ártemis y Afrodita, frontón oeste (6648088373). собрание не указано. CC BY 2.0. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3ALeto%2C_%C3%81rtemis_y_Afrodita%2C_front%C3%B3n_oeste_%286648088373%29.jpg

Photograph / reproduction: Carmen Escobar Carrio

Photograph / reproduction date: 2011-08-18 13:14

anonymous. Votive Relief. собрание не указано. Public domain. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3ABrauron_-_Votive_Relief2.jpg

Photograph / reproduction: anonymous

Photograph / reproduction date: 340 BC

Phillip Medhurst. SS Queen Mary. Long Beach California. First Class Restaurant Doors. Detail. 1934. собрание не указано. CC BY 3.0. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3ASS_Queen_Mary._Long_Beach_California._First_Class_Restaurant_Doors._Detail._1934.jpg

Photograph / reproduction: Phillip Medhurst

Photograph / reproduction date: 1934

Phillip Medhurst. SS Queen Mary. Long Beach California. First Class Restaurant Doors. 1934. собрание не указано. CC BY 3.0. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3ASS_Queen_Mary._Long_Beach_California._First_Class_Restaurant_Doors._1934.jpg

Photograph / reproduction: Phillip Medhurst

Photograph / reproduction date: 1934

Cobija. Hieros Gamos. собрание не указано. CC0. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AHieros_Gamos.jpg

Photograph / reproduction: Cobija

Photograph / reproduction date: 2015-05-18 17:42:25

Gary Todd from Xinzheng, China. Leto with Artemis & Apollo Escaping from Python, Greek, 4-3rd Cent BC (10451424666). собрание не указано. CC0. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3ALeto_with_Artemis_%26_Apollo_Escaping_from_Python%2C_Greek%2C_4-3rd_Cent_BC_%2810451424666%29.jpg

Photograph / reproduction: Gary Todd from Xinzheng, China

Photograph / reproduction date: 2009-07-08 01:09

Shakko. Artemis, Latona, Apollo and Nike (Antikensammlung Berlin) casting in Pushkin museum 01 by shakko. собрание не указано. CC BY-SA 4.0. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AArtemis%2C_Latona%2C_Apollo_and_Nike_%28Antikensammlung_Berlin%29_casting_in_Pushkin_museum_01_by_shakko.jpg

Photograph / reproduction: Shakko

Photograph / reproduction date: 2019

Mark Landon. Votive relief of Leto, Apollo, Artemis, and Kourotrophos (SK Dresden Hm 65). собрание не указано. CC BY 4.0. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AVotive_relief_of_Leto%2C_Apollo%2C_Artemis%2C_and_Kourotrophos_%28SK_Dresden_Hm_65%29.jpg

Photograph / reproduction: Mark Landon

Photograph / reproduction date: 2023-07-22

Louvre G 42. Department of Greek, Etruscan, and Roman Antiquities of the Louvre. CC0. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q115670081

Alexander. Giocatrici-di-astragali. Public domain. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q127424840

Sources and verification

The character is matched to the catalogue.

Wikidata Q103107

Reference material remains distinct from the poem’s assertions. Characters who share a name retain separate pages.