Metamorphoses

Aeneas and the Trojans land on the shore of Cumae, a marshy land. Aeneas visits Sybil—a woman who possesses long life—to ask her if he can visit Hades to see his father. Sybil grants his wish and tells him to break off a golden branch from a nearby tree. Aeneas breaks off the branch, then descends through the trunk to Hades. There, he sees his ancestors and the ghost of Anchises. He then climbs back to land and thanks Cumae, telling her that he’ll build her a temple even if she isn’t really a goddess.

Cumae explains that she isn’t a goddess. However, Apollo once gave her the opportunity to become immortal. Trying to seduce Cumae, Apollo had promised to grant her whatever she wished. Cumae had asked that she live as many years as there were grains of dust in a pile at her feet. Apollo granted her wish and said he’d give her eternal youth as well if she would sleep with him. Cumae rejected Apollo, and now she has 300 more years to live, shrinking and growing decrepit.