VII. [1] This is what Cassius ¹⁸ says in Book One. But on the other hand in the books of the Pontifical College it is said that Hercules, son of Juppiter and Alcmena, after besting Geryon, and driving off his famous herd, wanting to introduce this breed of cattle in Greece, by chance came to that place and was pleased at the lush forage, with the result that after their long trip his men were able to get some relaxation for themselves and the cattle, and settled there for a long time. [2] And while the cattle were grazing in a glade where the Circus Maximus is now, with no one watching because no one believed that anyone would dare go after Hercules' prize, a certain thief from that area, surpassing everyone else in physical size and in strength, took away eight cattle into a cave, by their tails so that it would be less easy to track the theft by footprints. [3] And when Hercules struck camp and happened to drive the remaining cattle past that same cave, by some chance the cattle penned up there lowed to those passing by and so the theft was detected; [4]  and after Cacus was killed Evander, apprised of the deed, went out to meet his guest and thank him, because his kingdom had been freed of such an evil; and when he found out who Hercules' parents were, he passed along the facts to Faunus, just as they had happened. Then he too wanted Hercules' friendship. Which idea our Vergil was afraid to follow.