Cacus

, a famous robber, son of Vulcan and Medusa, represented as a three-headed monster, and as vomiting flames. He resided in Italy, and the avenues of his cave were covered with human bones. He plundered the neighbouring country; and when Hercules returned from the conquest of Geryon, Cacus stole some of his cows, and dragged them backwards into his cave to prevent discovery. Hercules departed without perceiving the theft; but his oxen having lowed, were answered by the cows in the cave of Cacus, and the hero became acquainted with the lo he had sustained. He ran to the place, attacked Cacus, squeezed and strangled him in his arms, though vomiting fire and smoke. Hercules erected an altar to Jupiter Servator, in commemoration of his victory; and an annual festival was instituted by the inhabitants in honour of the hero, who had delivered them from such a public calamity. Ovid , Fasti , bk. 1 , li. 551 .— Virgil , Æneid , bk. 8 , li. 194 .— Pro pert i us , bk. 4 , poem 10.— Juvenal , satire 5, li. 125 .— Livy , bk. 1 , ch. 7 .— Dionysius of Halicarna us , bk. 1 , ch. 9 .