The extreme limits of divergence between stories descended
from a common root are probably reached in the myths of light
and darkness with which the present discussion is mainly
concerned The subject will be best elucidated by taking a
single one of these myths and following its various fortunes
through different regions of the Aryan world. The myth of
Hercules and Cacus has been treated by M. Breal in an essay
which is one of the most valuable contributions ever made to
the study of comparative mythology; and while following his
footsteps our task will be an easy one.
The battle between Hercules and Cacus, although one of the
oldest of the traditions common to the whole Indo-European
race, appears in Italy as a purely local legend, and is
narrated as such by Virgil, in the eighth book of the AEneid;
by Livy, at the beginning of his history; and by Propertius
and Ovid. Hercules, journeying through Italy after his victory
over Geryon, stops to rest by the bank of the Tiber. While he
is taking his repose, the three-headed monster Cacus, a son of
Vulcan and a formidable brigand, comes and steals his cattle,
and drags them tail-foremost to a secret cavern in the rocks.
But the lowing of the cows arouses Hercules, and he runs
toward the cavern where the robber, already frightened, has
taken refuge.
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