Achelous was a one-horned river god. Achelous and Hercules trying to win Deianira as their wife. One boasting over the other. Hecules accuses Achelous of lying about who he is, they fight a angry fight. Brawn vs. Tongue, they clas, foot against foot and brow against brow as bulls fighting to win their mate. Achelous turns himself into a snake and Hercules laughs bragging about the killing of Hydra. Losing as a river god and as snake, he tries again as a bull.
This still was not match for Herucles. He ripped of one of Achelous's horns (the gracious Naiads filled this horn with flowers, fruits, and sacred things.) The river god was done and at first light the men leave, not waiting for the stream to simmer it's rage. Now Achelous still sound in mind, masks his one horned brow with weeds and willows.
But then, Nessus was still in love and wanting Deianira for himself. Hercules and Deianira depart together but reach the raging stream and for fear of Deianira being harms, reluctantly hesitates to cross. Nessus steps up and tells Hercules he would be glad to help get Deianira across the river.
Hercules agrees and once Nessus was across the river with Deianira, he started to flee with her. Seeing this, Hercules shot his shaft at Nessus striking him through and through. Nessus spilling blood poison from Hydra's venom that Hercules dipped his shaft in. Dying, Nessus gave Deianira his tunic (soaked with blood) saying it would help return Hercules if he ever strayed from her.
Soon Rumor showed up and told many falsehoods to Deianira and she believed them. Hercules was supposedly having his way with Iole. After much thought for revenge, she decided to sent Lichas with the tunic to give to her husband so he would return. Neither Lichas or Deianira new the fate the tunic would bring to Hercules.
Hercules accepted the tunic and suddenly he was being burned to death. Hercules as he's dying a much painful and grusome death, pleased to Juno to feast upon him and end his life. He reminds her of all he's done to help her with her deciscion. Then Hercules sees Lichas and askes if he was the one who brought death to him. Trembling, Lichas was hurled into the sea to which her turned into a hard stone. (I guess this is how licken became). So with bow and arrow in hand,
Hercules sets himself upon the pyre as the fire rages around him. The gods are dismayed and afraid of losing the earth's defender, and Jove glad to see this let them know that only the mortal part of Hercules will die. The part from Jove's side will live eternally.
Just as a snake sheds his skin to a new, so did Hercules. Then his father wrapped him in a cloud and laid him with the stars.
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