Significance of Apollo

Apollo is one of the gods worshiped during this time period. He issues a statement that relates the following: Hermione and Polixenes were not having an affair; Perdita is the daughter of Leontes; Leontes is a tyrant; and, the kingdom will be without an heir until Perdita is found and returned to her rightful place. Leontes declares that the statement is false until he learns a few minutes later that his son has died.