Histories

Herodotus

Herodotus. Godley, Alfred Denis, translator. Cambridge, MA; London: Harvard University Press; William Heinemann, Ltd., 1920-1925 (printing).

After this, he sent messengers to Kyme [24.1167,38.6333] (Perseus)Cyme demanding that Pactyes be surrendered. The Cymaeans resolved to make the god at Didyma [27.233,37.35] (historic site), Aydin Ili, Ege kiyilari, Turkey, AsiaBranchidae their judge as to what course they should take; for there was an ancient place of divination there, which all the Ionians and Aeolians used to consult; the place is in the land of Miletus [27.3,37.5] (Perseus) Miletus, above the harbor of Panormus [27.2167,37.3833] (Perseus) Panormus.

The men of Kyme [24.1167,38.6333] (Perseus)Cyme, then, sent to Didyma [27.233,37.35] (historic site), Aydin Ili, Ege kiyilari, Turkey, Asia Branchidae to inquire of the shrine what they should do in the matter of Pactyes that would be most pleasing to the gods; and the oracle replied that they must surrender Pactyes to the Persians.

When this answer came back to them, they set about surrendering him. But while the greater part were in favor of doing this, Aristodicus son of Heraclides, a notable man among the citizens, stopped the men of Kyme [24.1167,38.6333] (Perseus)Cyme from doing it; for he did not believe the oracle and thought that those who had inquired of the god spoke falsely; until at last a second band of inquirers was sent to inquire concerning Pactyes, among whom was Aristodicus.

When they came to Didyma [27.233,37.35] (historic site), Aydin Ili, Ege kiyilari, Turkey, Asia Branchidae, Aristodicus, speaking for all, put this question to the oracle: “Lord, Pactyes the Lydian has come to us a suppliant fleeing a violent death at the hands of the Persians; and they demand him of us, telling the men of Kyme [24.1167,38.6333] (Perseus)Cyme to surrender him.