Linus

In Greek mythology, there were three people named Linus. Since they shared a father, Apollo, they may have been the same person.

1. Son of Apollo and Urania, he was killed by Apollo during a contest.
2. Son of Apollo and Psamathe, whose father was the King of Argos. She feared her father and gave the infant Linus to shepherds to raise. He was torn apart by dogs after reaching adulthood and Psamathe was killed by her father, for which Apollo sent a child-killing plague to Argos.
3. Son of Apollo and Terpsichore, Linus taught music to Orpheus and Heracles. Heracles killed him after Linus reprimanded him for making errors.

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Linus was also a Roman cognomen.

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Pope Linus is considered the second Pope of the Catholic Church.

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Linus Van Pelt is a character in the comic strip Peanuts.

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Linus is a first name of several real people as well.

• Linus Pauling, chemist
• Linus Roache, actor
• Linus Torvalds, programmer