In Greek mythology, Orpheus was an influential poet and musician. He was a student of Apollo, the god who taught him all about music. Orpheus mastered a particular instrument: the lyre. His musical abilities were so magical that he could charm animals and make elements of nature dance. According to myth, through his poetry, singing, and music, he was even able to convince Hades to recover his wife’s soul back from the underworld. Orpheus was not considered a deity, but a legendary hero who possessed superhuman abilities, harnessing the magical power of music.