that the God changed himself into a bull, under which
allegorical form they refer to the rapid and impetuous overflowing
of its banks, ever rushing onwards, bearing down everything in its
course, and leaving traces of its ravages throughout the country in
its vicinity. This mode of description the more readily occurred to
them in the case of Acheloues, as from the roaring noise which they
often make in their course, rivers in general were frequently
represented under the figure of a bull, and, of course, as wearing
horns, the great instruments of the havoc which they created.

It was said, then, that Hercules at length overcame this bull, and
broke off one of his horns; by which was meant, according to Strabo,
that he brought both the branches of the river into one channel.
Again, this horn became the Horn of Plenty in that region; or, in
other words, being withdrawn from its bed, the river left a large
track of very fertile ground for agricultural purposes. As to the
Cornucopia, or Horn of Plenty of the heathen Mythology, there is
some variation in the accounts respecting it. Some writers say that
by it was meant the horn of the goat Amalthea, which suckled
Jupiter, and that the Nymphs gave it to Acheloues, who again gave it
in exchange for that of which Hercules afterwards deprived him.
Deianira, having given her hand to Hercules, as the recompense of
the important services which he had rendered to her father, Oeneus,
it was fabled that she had been promised to Acheloues, who was
vanquished by his rival; and on this foundation was built the
superstructure of the famous combat which the Poet here describes.
After having remained for some time at the court of his
father-in-law, Hercules was obliged to leave it, in consequence of
having killed the son of Architritilus, who was the cupbearer of
that prince.

FABLE II. [IX.101-272]

Hercules, returning with Deianira, as the prize of his victory,
entrusts her to the Centaur Nessus, to carry her over the river
Evenus. Nessus seizes the opportunity of Hercules being on the other
side of the river, and attempts to carry her off; on which Hercules,
perceiving his design, shoots him with an arrow, and thus prevents
its execution. The Centaur, when expiring, in order to gratify his
revenge, gives Deianira his tunic dipped in his blood, assuring her
that it contains an effectual charm against all infideli