Hyacinthus

Hyacinthus was a mortal in Greek mythology. Many names are given in the various myths as his parents; they include King Pierus of Macedon, or King Oebalus of Sparta, or King Amyclas of Sparta; and Clio. He was a beautiful young man who became the lover of the god Apollo, although he also had the affection of Zephyr, the god of the west wind. During a game of discus, Apollo threw the discus, and Hyacinthus ran after it trying to impress the god. However, he was struck by the discus and died. According to a different myth, it was Zephyrus who caused the death of the young man; jealous of his affair with Apollo he blew the discus to Hyacinthus' head, killing him. Apollo, distraught at the youth's death, forbade Hades to claim his soul; instead, he turned him into the flower of the same name.

See Also: Apollo, Zephyr