Leto
Leto is a goddess in Greek mythology. She was the daughter of Coeus and Phoebe, who were Titans. Leto was the mother of the twins Artemis and Apollo, whose father was Zeus.
After the twins were born, Leto played very little part in Greek mythology. She is the goddess of motherhood and one of Zeus' many wives.
Birth of Artemis and Apollo
Hera, who was Zeus's wife, discovered that Leto was pregnant and became very angry. She banned Leto from giving birth on any mainland or island known.
Leto found the island of Delos, which floated and so was not an island nor mainland, and gave birth there. Leto gave birth to Artemis without any problem. However she was in labour with Apollo for nine days and nine nights. Artemis helped Leto to give birth to Apollo.
Leto Media
Relief from the 2nd century, staging the marriage of Zeus and Leto, Hierapolis Museum.
Statue of Leto in the Yelagin Palace, St. Petersburg.
Leto with her children, by William Henry Rinehart
Leto on the run with Artemis and Apollo, Roman statue circa 350-400 AD
Latona with her children Apollo and Diana, oil painting, Anton Raphael Mengs, 1769
Leto fights Giants between her twins, Gigantomachy east frieze, Pergamon Altar, Pergamon Museum, Berlin.
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