Leto facts for kids

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.

Artemis's and Apollo's birth

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.

Related pages

• Latona Fountain

Images for kids

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  Statue of Leto in the Yelagin Palace, St. Petersburg.

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  Leto with her children, by William Henry Rinehart

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  Leto on the run with Artemis and Apollo, Roman statue circa 350-400 AD

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  Latona with her children Apollo and Diana, oil painting, Anton Raphael Mengs, 1769

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  Leto with Artemis and Apollo, votive relief, 5th century BC, National Archaeological Museum of Athens.

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  Phoebe pacifying Leto and Niobe while two Niobids play knucklebones, fresco of Herculaneum, 1st century AD, National Archaeological Museum, Naples.

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  Ruined ancient sanctuary Letoon, next to the lake

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  Statue of Leto, from the Roman theatre, 2nd century AD, Hierapolis Archaeological Museum, Turkey.

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  Latona and the Lycian Peasants, ca. 1605, by Jan Brueghel the Elder.

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  Python pursuing Leto and her children, engravings on wood from a vase

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  Leto in the Fountain on Herreninsel, Chiemsee.

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  Cult statue of Leto at Delphi.

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  Marble relief from Mantinea, Arcadia.

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  Etruscan statue of Leto holding the infant Apollo.

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  Leto and the Lycian peasants.

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  Fountain of Latona, Versailles.

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  Leto on an ancient vase between Apollo and Hermes.

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  Bronze statue of Leto.

See also

In Spanish: Leto para niños