M/M: The Story of Branchus, Vatican Mythographers II.107 & I.80

Name:  Vatican Mythographers Date:   10th century CE Region:   Unknown Citation:   Vatican Mythographers 2.107, 1.80

When Branchus was in the forest, he kissed Apollo. Apollo was smitten by him, and offered him a crown and a staff. And so Branchus began to prophecy, and suddenly disappeared. A temple was made for him named Branchiadon. People also dedicated temples to Apollo, which are called “Loving” temples after Branchus’ kiss.

De Brancho

…Hic [Branchus] cum in silvis Apollinem osculatus esset, ab eo est comprehensus, et accepta corona virgaque vaticinari coepit, et subito nusqam comparuit. Templum ei factum Branchiadon est nominatum. Et Apollini templa consecrantur, quae ab osculo Branchi philesia nuncupantur.

 

--Vatican Mythographer II.107 & I.80

 

Little is known about the author or origin of the collection of myths known as the Vatican Mythographers, but the work’s first editor Angelo Mai found the collection on a manuscript dating back to the 10^th century CE. This volume is a collection of three different mythographers who have assembled various Greco-Roman myths; although many of these myths are basic summaries in Latin, some of them are either analyzed as allegories or compared to Christian thought.