Eryx

A city in west Sicily, near Lilybaeum (modern Massala). Eryx was founded by Eryx, son of Butes and Aphrodite.

Eryx's father (Butes) was a former Argonau, who would have died, lured to his death, by the Sirens' song. But the goddess of love saved his life, and she had a child by Butes. A son was born in Lilybaeum, and they named him Eryx. When Eryx was older, he went east, inland, and founded his own city.

Heracles came by Eryx during his 10th labour, with the cattle of Geryon. One of the bulls in Geryon's cattle ran off at Rhegion, crossing the strait of Messina into Sicily, and west to Eryx. Heracles pursued it to Eryx, and demanded its return. Eryx challenged the hero to a boxing match, to see who would keep the bull. Heracles killed him in the boxing match.

Aeneas came to Eryx, in the Aeneid, and gave an offering to Eryx as a hero.