Cacus

What it is

Cacus is a figure in Roman mythology known as a fire-breathing giant. He is the son of Vulcan, also called Hephaestus by the Greeks. The name comes from a Greek word for bad or evil. He lived in a cave near the future city of Rome. Locals feared him because he ate human flesh and nailed victim heads to his door. The hero Hercules eventually killed him while passing through the area.

Where it comes from

The story appears in Virgil's Aeneid, told by the Arcadian king Evander. Other ancient writers like Solinus and Dionysius of Halicarnassus recorded versions too. Some accounts say Cacus lived at Salinae, later the Porta Trigemina. After the fight, Hercules built an altar called the Ara Maxima. This site became the Forum Boarium, the old cattle market of Rome.

How it is done

Hercules found his stolen cattle near Cacus' lair. The monster had dragged them backward to hide their trail. The herd cried out, and one cow answered from inside. Angry, Hercules moved toward the cave. Cacus blocked the entrance with a huge rock. Hercules tore open the mountain top to reach him. They fought with fire, rocks, and branches. Hercules finally leapt into the smoke and strangled the giant until his eyes popped out.

Tools and materials

Cacus used his ability to breathe fire and smoke against his enemy. He hid behind a massive boulder to block the cave entrance. Hercules used tree branches and large stones as weapons. Later stories added different tools. Dante described him with snakes and a dragon. Other tales mention him fathering giants or stealing magical staffs.

What it is for

Cacus represents danger and theft in Roman legend. He stole cattle from Hercules and harmed local people. His death marked the protection of the land. The Romans honored Hercules after the victory. They performed yearly rites at the altar he built. The site remained important for cattle trading and religious observance for centuries.

Who does it

No living practitioners perform rituals for Cacus today. He is studied by scholars of classical mythology. Ancient writers like Virgil and Plutarch recorded his story. Modern authors include him in novels and fantasy works. He appears in Dante's Inferno and Cervantes' Don Quixote as a symbol of theft.

Peoples and places

The myth belongs to Roman tradition but involves Arcadians. Evander, an Arcadian king, shared the story with Aeneas. The Aborigines and Arcadians celebrated Hercules' arrival. They crowned themselves with laurel after hearing of Cacus' death. The story explains early Roman religious customs in the area near the Tiber river.

What people believe

Cacus embodies chaotic forces that heroes must overcome. He is a monstrous outcast who defies natural order. His fire breath and cannibalism mark him as evil. Hercules restores order by killing him. The myth reinforces the idea of divine favor for the hero. It also justifies the sacred status of the location where the battle took place.

When it is done

The Romans held annual festivals to honor Hercules at the Ara Maxima. These rites commemorated the defeat of Cacus. The events are tied to the founding era of Rome. No specific calendar dates are given for Cacus himself. The celebrations occurred at the site of the ancient cattle market.

Questions people ask about Cacus

Good reading and sources

• Encyclopaedia BritannicaArticle

• Cacus on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos and video
• Wikidata recordOpen data