4. M. OCTAVIUS
HERENNIUS, was originally a flute-player, but afterwards engaged in
trade, and throve so well that he dedicated to Hercules a tenth of his gains. Once, while
sailing with his wares, Herennius was attacked by pirates, but he beat them off valiantly, and
saved his liberty and cargo. Then Hercules showed Herennius in a dream that it was he who had
given him strength in his need. So, when he came back to Rome, Herennius besought the senate
for a piece of ground, whereon he built a chapel to Hercules, and placed in it an image of the
god, and wrote underneath the image "Herculi Victori," in token of his deliverance from the
pirates. The chapel stood near the Porta Trigemina, at the foot of the Aventine. The story of
its foundation is probably a temple legend. (Masurius Sabinus, Memorial.
ii. apud Macrob. Sat. 3.6;