Marsyas

mar'si-as, in Greek legend, a Phrygian flute player defeated in a musical contest by Apollo. The goddess Athene had invented the flute and played upon it herself. One day Cupid laughed at her countenance distorted by the action of blowing. Athene went to a still pool, put her flute to her lips and looking into the clear water, saw Cupid had cause for laughter. She threw away her flute in a pet, pronouncing a curse upon anyone who should play on it. Marsyas found it. He was delighted with the sweet sounds it produced, and practised until he dared challenge Apollo to a contest. The Muses were the umpires. Apollo played the lyre, but was not able to win the victory until he united his voice to the music of his instrument. Then he was declared victor, and, according to the terms of the contest, could do what he pleased with his opponent. He bound Marsyas to a tree and flayed him alive.