Cæcŭlus

, a son of Vulcan, conceived, as some say, by his mother, when a spark of fire fell into her bosom. He was called Cæculus because his eyes were small. After a life spent in plundering and rapine, he built Præneste; but being unable to find inhabitants, he implored Vulcan to show whether he really was his father. Upon this a flame suddenly shone among a multitude who were a embled to see some spectacle, and they were immediately persuaded to become the subjects of Cæculus. Virgil , Æneid , bk. 7 , li. 680 , says that he was found in fire by shepherds, and on that account called son of Vulcan, who is the god of fire.