Myth and Religion: Hercules (Roman)

Question 1

Where was Hercules worshipped in Rome?

Answer 1

At the Great Altar of Hercules (Ara Maxima) and the temple to Hercules the Victor, both in the Forum Boarium.

Question 2

What were the mythological origins of the Ara Maxima (the Great Altar of Hercules)?

Answer 2

It was the altar where King Evander first made sacrifices to give thanks to Hercules for the slaying of Cacus.

Question 3

Which THREE Roman groups were particularly associated with the worship of Hercules?

Answer 3

1) Initially the Potitii and Pinarii families;
2) Slaves;
3) Gladiators (who dedicated wooden swords in the the Temple of Hercules).

Question 4

What was Hercules doing when he came across the monstrous Cacus?

Answer 4

He was bringing back the cattle of Geryon (his 10th labour) from Spain through Italy.

Question 5

What was the name of King Evander’s city on the river Tiber (future site of Rome), which Cacus had been terrorising?

Answer 5

Pallantium

Question 6

What did Cacus do to anger Hercules?

Answer 6

He stole eight of his cattle (the cattle of Geryon) and dragged them backwards into his cave to disguise their tracks.

Question 7

Who was Cacus’ father?

Answer 7

Vulcan

Question 8

How did Hercules defeat Cacus?

Answer 8

He heard one of his cattle moo, chased Cacus into his cave, then ripped the peak off the Aventine Hill to expose him and strangle him.

Question 9

Why does the story of Cacus feature in Virgil’s Aeneid?

Answer 9

Aeneas travels to Pallantium (Evander’s city) to seek an alliance and arrives on the day that the king was making sacrifices to Hercules in honour of his victory over Cacus which liberated the city.

Question 10

Which river god did Hercules fight (as described in Ovid’s Metamorphoses)?

Answer 10

Achelous

Question 11

Why did Hercules fight the river god Achelous in Aetolia?

Answer 11

Both Hercules and Achelous wanted to marry the princess of Aetolia, Deianira.

Question 12

What arguments did Hercules and Achelous make for Deianira’s hand in marriage?

Answer 12

Hercules referred to his divine parentage and to his labours; Achelous claimed Hercules lied about his birth and that his labours were his own fault.

Question 13

How did Hercules defeat Achelous in battle?

Answer 13

Hercules wrestled his way to victory, even though Achelous changed into a snake, and then a single-horned bull.

Question 14

What was the name of the centaur who tried to abduct Deianira (also told in Ovid’s Metamorphoses)?

Answer 14

Nessus

Question 15

How did Hercules kill Nessus?

Answer 15

With a single arrow, its tip dipped in the venom of the hydra.

Question 16

Why did Nessus give Deianira his blood-soaked tunic?

Answer 16

He claimed it would work as a love potion on Hercules if he ever strayed; in fact, he knew it was now poisoned with the hydra’s venom.

Question 17

How did Juno use the goddess Rumour to bring about Hercules’ death?

Answer 17

She used Rumour to spread lies about Hercules to Deianira, claiming that he was in love with a princess from Thessaly, called Iole.

Question 18

Why did Deianira send Hercules the cloak that had been soaked in Nessus’ blood?

Answer 18

Because she thought it would make him fall in love with her; in fact, it stuck to him and burnt his flesh from his bones like acid, driving him mad with pain, until Jupiter persuaded the gods to make him immortal.