hˈæmɐksˌɪɾəs tɹˈoʊd: ɪnðɪ ˈɪlɪˌæd, kɹˈaɪzᵻz ðə pɹˈiːst ʌv ɐpˈɑːloʊ, ɐdɹˈɛsᵻz ðə ɡˈɑːd wɪððɪ ˈɛpɪθɪt smˈɪnθɪəs lˈɔːɹd ʌv mˈaɪs, ɹᵻlˈeɪɾᵻd tə ðə ɡˈɑːdz ˈeɪntʃənt ɹˈoʊl æz bɹˈɪŋɚɹ ʌvðə dɪzˈiːz plˈeɪɡ.
Hamaxitus (Troad): In the Iliad, Chryses the priest of Apollo, addresses the god with the epithet Smintheus (Lord of Mice), related to the god's ancient role as bringer of the disease (plague).