Apollo and the Men of Cyme
The men of Cyme seek Apollo's counsel on whether to yield Pactyes, a Lydian fleeing from the Persians, to Persia. The Oracle initially advises them to yield, but Aristodicus suspects deceit and proposes to reconsult Apollo. Upon reconsultation, Apollo again bids them to yield Pactyes. However, Aristodicus cleverly tests Apollo's will by destroying the nests of swallows and sparrows around the temple, prompting a divine response. Apollo condemns the men of Cyme for their impious act and reaffirms his initial counsel to yield Pactyes, implying that their disobedience will lead to their downfall.
By Edith Nesbit · First published 1911 · Genre: Mythology, Fantasy, Adventure · 965 words
First lines
(Herodotus, I. 157-160.)
"What be these messengers who come fleet-footed Between the images that guard our roadway, Beneath the heavy shadow of the laurels -- Whence be these men, and wherefore have they come?"
What this Textopian page supports
Apollo and the Men of Cyme is listed on Textopian as a short story by Edith Nesbit, dated 1911 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Edith Nesbit
- Date: 1911 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Mythology, Fantasy, Adventure, Historical Fiction
- Length: 965 words
- Structure: 1 section, 23 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Apollo and the Men of Cyme by Edith Nesbit
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Apollo and the Men of Cyme?
- How does this short story by Edith Nesbit fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Mythology first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Mythology — The narrative is centered around the Greek god Apollo and his interactions with the men of Cyme, a city in ancient Greece.
- Fantasy — The story involves gods, mythical creatures, and supernatural elements, which are typical of the fantasy genre.
- Adventure — The plot involves a journey and various challenges, which are common elements in adventure stories.
- Historical Fiction — The setting and context are based on historical periods and events in ancient Greece.
Tags
Ancient Greece · Mythology · Adventure · Fantasy · Children's Literature · Classic · Quest · Gods and Goddesses · Heroes · Legendary Creatures · Magic · Prophecy