CACUS, son of Vulcan, a gigantic monster whose mouth vomited forth volumes of flame, and who, having stolen some of the cattle which Hercules had captured from Geryon, was attacked and strangled by that hero. In memory of the fabled victory, an annual fete was held in honour of Hercules, on mount Aventine. - On a bronze medallion of Antoninus Pius, Hercules is figured, with the spoiles of the Nemaean lion on this left arm, the club in his right hand; and near him Cacus is extended on the ground, before the entrance of his cavern. - See engraving in Millin Gal. Mythol. T. ii. pl. cv. 447