In Greek mythology, Helios is the original Titan personification of the Sun, driving the chariot across the sky, while Apollo is the Olympian god of light, music, and prophecy, often associated with, but distinct from, the sun itself. Over time, particularly in Roman literature, Apollo was conflated with the sun (Sol), becoming a, but not the original, sun deity. Helios (Sun Personified): The Titan who is the actual, literal sun and drives the chariot. Apollo (God of Light): Known as "Phoebus" (brilliant/shining), representing the mental and spiritual light (truth, prophecy) rather than the physical ball of fire. Evolution of Roles: While earlier Greek texts keep them separate, later literature (starting around the 5th century BCE) merges them, leading to Apollo often being depicted as driving the chariot. Roman Mythology: The Romans identified Apollo with the sun and often used the name Sol (comparable to Helios) for the sun deity, sometimes blending them with Apollo. While Helios was the sun, Apollo grew to share that domain, making the distinction one of early mythology (separate) vs. later classical tradition (merged).
Évrard de Conty, Livre des échecs amoureux, c. 1401-1500
"How Apollo is compared to the Sun and represented. The fourth of the gods of Heaven, according to the ancients, is Apollo, by whom we must understand the Sun, which is the fourth in the order of the planets with Saturn. Apollo is a god of great beauty, of clear understanding and perfect reason. He is the inventor of music, of medicine, and of the sciences. He is represented crowned with rays, holding in his hand a bow and arrows, to signify that the rays of the Sun pierce and penetrate all things. Sometimes he carries a lyre, because his movement in the heavens makes a harmony that accords with the order of the world. The poets say that he slew the serpent Python, which means that by his heat he purges the earth of harmful and corrupt vapors. He is also said to drive his chariot through the sky, drawing behind him the light of the day, which gives life to all living things. Thus he is taken as the figure of wisdom, illumination, and clarity of understanding, and for this reason he is honored among the gods."
