Classical Mythology

(^642) THE NATURE OF ROMAN MYTHOLOGY
Cattle of Geryon and there killed the monster Cacus (pp. 631-632). To com-
memorate the event, his cult was established, either by Hercules himself or by
Evander, in the Forum Boarium (the cattle market between the Circus Maximus
and the Tiber). His precinct there was the Ara Maxima (Greatest Altar), and the
cult was in the hands of two noble families until 312 B.c., when it was taken over
by the state. The Forum Boarium area was a natural landing place on the Tiber,
and it was among the earliest commercial quarters of the city. Since Hercules
was the patron of traders, this area was appropriate for his worship. Like Mer-
cury, Hercules brought luck (including chance finds) and profit, and successful
traders dedicated a tithe of their profits to him. Besides the Ara Maxima there
were at least twelve shrines or temples dedicated to him in the city.
THE DIOSCURI
The Dioscuri, Castor and Pollux, were worshiped from the time of the early Re-
public. After they appeared at the battle of Lake Regillus (probably in 496 B.c.)
a temple in the Forum was dedicated to them both, although its official name
was the Temple of Castor. In the battle the Romans were being hard pressed by
the Latins, when the Dioscuri appeared before them on horseback and led them
to victory. They then appeared in the Roman Forum and announced the victory.
After watering their horses at the fountain of Juturna they vanished. The ap-
pearance of the Dioscuri in battle is fairly common in ancient legend, and they
were said to have appeared at other battles in later Roman history. They came
to Rome from the Greek cities of southern Italy (perhaps from Tarentum) after
a period as important deities at Tusculum, a Latin city near Lake Regillus. At
Rome they were especially the patrons of horsemen and of the knights (i.e., the
economic and social class below the senators). Only women swore by them, us-
ing the oath ecastor.
THE SIBYLLINE ORACLES
An even older arrival in Rome than the Dioscuri were the Sibylline oracles, which
were traditionally associated with the Greek colony of Cumae. Collections of or-
acles written in Greek hexameters were common throughout the Greek world;
they were especially associated with the Sibyls, prophetesses said to be inspired
by Apollo. The Cumaean Sibyl was said to have been granted a life of one thou-
sand years by Apollo, who withheld the compensation of eternal youth (see pp.
234-235). She was Aeneas' guide in the Underworld.
A well-known legend tells how the Sibylline books came to Rome. The Sibyl
mysteriously appeared before the last Roman king, Tarquinius Superbus, and
offered to sell him nine books of oracles for a high price; when he refused, she
burned three of the books and offered the remaining six at the same price. Again
he refused, and again she burned three books and offered the last three at the