Hyacinthus was accidentally killed by Apollo. According to the usual version of the myth, Apollo was teaching Hyacinthus how to throw a discus when he accidentally struck and killed him.
The tale of Hyacinthus's death is a tragic one in Greek mythology and offers two common interpretations:
- Apollo's Misfortune: The primary narrative is that Apollo, while instructing Hyacinthus in the art of discus throwing, inadvertently caused his death. This version emphasizes the tragic nature of the accident and highlights the vulnerability of even the most skilled gods.
- Intervention by Zephyrus or Boreas: An alternative account suggests that Zephyrus (or Boreas), the west wind (or north wind in some versions) was jealous of Apollo's affection for Hyacinthus. Driven by envy, he deflected the discus mid-flight, causing it to strike Hyacinthus on the head and kill him. This version introduces the element of jealousy as a motive for the tragic event.
Regardless of the exact cause, the death of Hyacinthus is a significant event in Greek mythology and is often associated with the origin of the hyacinth flower. It is said that Apollo, in his grief, caused the flower to spring from the blood of Hyacinthus.
| Figure | Role | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Apollo | God, Trainer | Accidentally killed Hyacinthus while teaching him to throw the discus, or perhaps the accident was caused by Zephyrus. |
| Hyacinthus | Apollo's lover, trainee | The one who was killed in the accident |
| Zephyrus/Boreas | Wind god | In another version, deflected the discus due to jealousy, causing the death. |
