leto

Leto is a figure in Greek mythology, a daughter of the Titans Coeus and Phoebe, who becomes the mother of two major Olympian gods by Zeus: Artemis and Apollo. In most myths, Hera relentlessly persecutes Leto, forbidding her to give birth on solid land. She finally finds refuge on the floating island of Delos, where she gives birth to Artemis and Apollo, though some versions differ on the order of birth or the exact circumstances.

Artemis is typically described as the goddess of the hunt, wild nature, and the moon, while Apollo is associated with music, prophecy, and the sun. The twins’ births on Delos establish the island as a significant sanctuary in ancient Greek religion. Leto’s role in these stories emphasizes themes of motherhood, endurance, and the protection of offspring, and she is often invoked as a mother goddess or as Latona, the Latinized form of her name.

In Greek religion, Leto/Latona was worshiped in connection with the Delian cult and other sanctuaries dedicated to the Olympian family. Her image appears in Classical art and literature as a nurturing figure linked to the birth of two influential gods and to the broader mythic framework surrounding Zeus and Hera.

In modern usage, the name Leto appears as a personal name or surname in various cultures and can be found in place names or literary references. The Greek form Leto is typically equated with Latona in Latin texts and Roman adaptations of the myth.