Editing Nyctimus

{{For|the genus of spiders in ''[[Thomisidae]]''|Nyctimus (spider){{!}}''Nyctimus'' (spider)}}

In [[Greek mythology]], '''Nyctimus''' ([[Ancient Greek]]: Νύκτιμος ''Nyktimos'') was an [[Arcadia (region)|Arcadian]] prince and the youngest of the 50 sons of the impious King [[Lycaon (king of Arcadia)|Lycaon]]<ref>[[Pausanias (geographer)|Pausanias]], 8.17.6</ref> either by the [[naiad]] [[Cyllene (mythology)|Cyllene]],<ref>[[Dionysius of Halicarnassus]], ''Antiquitates Romanae'' 1.13.1</ref> [[Nonacris (mythology),|Nonacris]]<ref>Pausanias, [http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Paus.+8.17.6&fromdoc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0160:chapter=&highlight=Nonacris 8.17.6]</ref> or by an unknown woman.

== Family ==
Nyctimus was the father of [[Periphetes]], ancestor of [[Psophis (mythology)|Psophis]], one of the possible [[eponyms]] for the city of [[Psophis]]. This can be explained by the following genealogical link: Nyctimus–Periphetes–[[Parthaon (mythology)|Parthaon]]–[[Aristas]]–[[Erymanthus (mythology)|Erymanthus]]–[[Arrhon]]–Psophis.<ref>Pausanias, [http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Paus.+8.24.1&fromdoc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0160:chapter=&highlight=Parthaon 8.24.1]</ref>

== Mythology ==
Nyctimus' role in the death of Lycaon varies from source to source. One version tells that he was killed and served up as part of a feast to [[Zeus]];<ref>[[Samuel Shuckford|Shuckford, S.]] ''The sacred and profane history of the world connected: from the creation of the world to the dissolution of the Assyrian empire at the death of Sardanapalus, and to the declension of the kingdoms of Judah and Israel under the reigns of Ahaz and Pekah: including the dissertation on the creation and fall of man, Volume 3'', Baynes 1808 p126</ref><ref>[[Clement of Alexandria]], ''Exhortations'' [https://topostext.org/work/215#2.33 2.33]</ref> and was later brought back to life.<ref>Atsma, A. (2007). LYCAON: King of Arcadia; Greek mythology: LYKAON. THEOI, E-TEXTS LIBRARY. Retrieved December 6, 2013, from http://www.theoi.com/Heros/Lykaon.html</ref> Another story claims that he was the only son of Lycaon to survive the blast of thunderbolts of Zeus as a result of the interference of [[Gaia (mythology)|Gaia]], who quickly laid hold of his right hand and so appeased his wrath.<ref>[[Bibliotheca (Pseudo-Apollodorus)|Apollodorus]], [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Apollod.%203.8.1&lang=original 3.8.1]</ref> In both versions, Nyctimus succeeds his father as king of [[Arcadia (ancient region)|Arcadia]]. His rule was short-lived, however, due to floods in the age of [[Deucalion]], which some speculate was caused by the impiety of his brothers.<ref name=":0">Apollodorus, [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0022%3Atext%3DLibrary%3Abook%3D1%3Achapter%3D1%3Asection%3D3 3.8.2, f.n. 1]</ref> 

According to [[Pausanias (geographer)|Pausanias]], Arcadia increased  in the number on both of its cities and population and Nyktimos who was the eldest son of Lycaon possessed all the power while his other brothers founded cities on the sites they considered best.<ref>Pausanias, [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Paus.+8.3.1&fromdoc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0160 8.3.1]</ref>

== Interpretation ==
Some scholars identify Lycaon with [[Zeus#Zeus Lykaios|Zeus Lycaeus]], Zeus in his role as god of light,{{Citation needed|date=June 2007}} who slays Nyctimus (the dark), or is succeeded by him, in allusion to the perpetual succession of night and day. 

The succession of Nyctimus to the throne of Arcadia was explained by [[James George Frazer|Sir James George Frazier]] in his notes to [[Bibliotheca (Pseudo-Apollodorus)|Apollodorus]]' ''The Library'':

:... we may conjecture that among the ancient Greeks or their ancestors inheritance was at one time regulated by the custom of [[ultimogeniture]] or the succession of the youngest, as to which see Folk-Lore in the Old Testament, i.429ff. In the secluded highlands of Arcadia, where ancient customs and traditions lingered long, King Lycaon is said to have been succeeded by his youngest son [i.e. Nyctimus].<ref name=":0" />''

==See also==
* [[Pelops]]

==Notes==
{{reflist}}

== References ==

* [[Bibliotheca (Pseudo-Apollodorus)|Apollodorus]], ''The Library'' with an English Translation by Sir James George Frazer, F.B.A., F.R.S. in 2 Volumes, Cambridge, MA, Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann Ltd. 1921. ISBN 0-674-99135-4. [http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.01.0022 Online version at the Perseus Digital Library.] [http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.01.0021 Greek text available from the same website].
* [[Pausanias (geographer)|Pausanias]], ''Description of Greece'' with an English Translation by W.H.S. Jones, Litt.D., and H.A. Ormerod, M.A., in 4 Volumes. Cambridge, MA, Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann Ltd. 1918. {{ISBN|0-674-99328-4}}. [http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.01.0160 Online version at the Perseus Digital Library]
* Pausanias, ''Graeciae Descriptio.'' ''3 vols''. Leipzig, Teubner. 1903.  [http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.01.0159 Greek text available at the Perseus Digital Library].
* [[Clement of Alexandria|Titus Flavius Clemens]], ''Exhortation against the Pagans'' translated by Butterworth, G W. Loeb Classical Library Volume 92. Cambridge, MA. Harvard University Press. 1919. [http://www.theoi.com/Text/ClementExhortation1.html Online version at theio.com]

[[Category:Sons of Lycaon]]
[[Category:Princes in Greek mythology]]
[[Category:Mythological kings of Arcadia]]
[[Category:Mythological Arcadians]]
[[Category:Human sacrifice in folklore and mythology]]