Branchus (lover of Apollo)

Branchus (/ˈbræŋkəs/; Ancient Greek: Βράγχος, romanized: Brankhos) was the son of Smyrcus and a lover of the god Apollo in Greek mythology. Initially a shepherd in Miletus, Branchus became a prophet after receiving prophetic abilities from Apollo. He introduced the worship of the god at Didyma and founded a shrine for him at Miletus. His descendants, the Branchides, were an influential clan of prophets.