Foundation Stories : Hercules And Cacus Flashcards
When did this incident between Hercules and Cacus take place
The incident between Hercules and Cacus took place during the tenth labour, the cattle of Geryon.
Who adapted this Greek myth
The Romans - they set it 500 years before Romulus founded Rome
When did Hercules meet Cacus
When he was leading the cattle back to Eurystheus
Who was Cacus
The son of Vulcan (Hephaestus) and was a half human who lived in a mountain lair.
What did Cacus do
While Hercules slept, Cacus stole eight of the cows. He dragged the cows backwards into his cave which meant the hoof marks looked like they were leading away from where they actually were being held.
How did Hercules find out
He heard the calls of one of the cows
What did Cacus do stop Hercules from entering his lair
He blocked his cave with a massive boulder which Hercules couldn’t move
How did Hercules enter the cave
He lifted the top of the mountain clean off
How did Hercules defeat Cacus
He bombarded him with trees, stones, and boulders. Hercules then strangled him
What stemmed from this story
The cult of Hercules
What was the story part of
The Aeneid
Why did Hercules later on represent slaves
It could be argued that Hercules himself ended up being a slave for his cousin, King Eurystheus. Slaves made up a large population of Rome and so Hercules would have been very popular
What happened when a gladiator was freed
He was presented with a wooden sword which hung in the Temple of Hercules the Victor
Why were men only allowed to take part in rituals concerning Hercules
The extreme virility of Hercules was believed to be a danger to a women’s chastity
What happened during the ritual to Hercules
An animal was sacrificed and incense was burned
