CACUS (fire breathing giant)
Monster · fire breathing giant in Roman mythology
- Parents
- Hephaestus
- Siblings
- Caca
- In the sources
- 2 ancient passages
Cacus, a half-human monster born to Hephaestus, dwelt in a dark, vaulted cave hidden within a sheer rock peak.1,2 He possessed a vast and towering stature, with a face that was both beast and man.1,2 His breast was covered in bristling shag, and his eyes held a grewsome glare.2 From his fire-blasted throat, he could breathe a storm of dark, fuming smoke and fire.2,1
His den was decorated with the heads of slaughtered men, marking his savage nature.1 Cacus stole four bulls and four heifers from Heracles, dragging them by their tails to hide their tracks.1,2 He hid the herd inside his cave, which he barred with a huge rock made of steel.1,2 When the hidden cattle revealed his location, Heracles attacked the monster.1
Heracles stormed the cave gate three times without success.1 Startled by the glare and caged in the rocks, Cacus howled horribly with panic in his eyes.2,1 Cacus fled to the black cave with feet winged by terror.1 In the dark, Cacus breathed unavailing flame while grappling with Heracles, creating a pitch-black night of mingled gloom and fire.2
Heracles strangled him in the dark, extinguishing the flame that had once defined his throat.2 He then dragged the shapeless and foul corpse out of the cave by the feet.2 A feast is celebrated annually to commemorate the day he was slain.2 An altar called the Great is raised in the wood for Heracles.2
The codex facts behind this entry
Cacus was a half-human monster born to Hephaestus. Aeneid 8.184 part 1
Appearance
His face was described as being both beast and man. Aeneid 8.184 part 2 He had a breast covered in bristling shag. Aeneid 8.184 part 2 His den was decorated with the heads of slaughtered men. Aeneid 8.184 part 1 He possessed a vast and towering stature. Aeneid 8.184 part 1
Powers
He could breathe a storm of dark, fuming smoke and fire from his jaws and throat. Aeneid 8.184 part 1 +1
In the myths
He stole four bulls and four heifers from Heracles, dragging them by their tails to hide their tracks and hiding the herd inside his dark cave, which he barred with a huge rock made of steel. Aeneid 8.184 part 1 +1
Worship
A feast is celebrated annually to commemorate the day he was slain. Aeneid 8.184 part 2 An altar called the Great is raised in the wood for Heracles. Aeneid 8.184 part 2
Fate
Heracles attacked him after the hidden cattle revealed his location. Aeneid 8.184 part 1 Heracles stormed the cave gate three times without success. Aeneid 8.184 part 1 Heracles strangled him in the dark after grappling with him. Aeneid 8.184 part 2 Heracles dragged his corpse out of the cave by the feet. Aeneid 8.184 part 2
