Also called Hercules Invictus, Hercules Victor, Herakles (Greek).
Their story
Livy and Virgil tell how Hercules, driving the cattle of Geryon, rested by the Tiber, and the monster Cacus stole some, dragging them backwards into his cave. Hercules found them by their lowing, killed Cacus, and set up the Ara Maxima in the cattle market. Merchants offered him a tenth of their profits there, and Romans swore by him, mehercle. Women were excluded from the rites, and Propertius tells a story explaining why.
Best times to give to them
- Festival at the Ara Maxima, 12 August
- After a profit or success, a tithe
What they like being given
- A tenth of a small gain given to charity
- Incense
- Wine or grape juice
- Poplar leaves
How to honour them
- Give a tenth of a windfall to a good cause in his name.
- Swear only true oaths.
- Ask for strength to carry a heavy load.
How they can help you
- Strength in trials
- Honest business
- Protection
Symbols
- club
- lion skin
- poplar
- cup
The Roman cult was old and local, though the hero came from Greece.
Sources
- Livy 1.7
- Virgil, Aeneid 8
- Propertius, Elegies 4.9
- Plutarch, Roman Questions 60
More Roman gods
- Jupiter Best and greatest, guardian of Rome
- Mars Father of Rome and guardian of fields
- Mercury Patron of merchants, messages and journeys
- Janus Two-faced god of doors and beginnings
- Saturn King of the golden age and lord of the harvest
- Sol Invictus The unconquered sun, reborn at midwinter
- Neptune Lord of fresh water and the sea
- Vulcan God of fire, both destroying and forging