Evander

Evander, son of Hermes by an Arcadian nymph, called in Roman traditions Carmenta or Tiburtis. About sixty years before the Trojan war he is said to have led a Pelasgian colony from Pallantium, in Arcadia, to Italy, and to have landed on the banks of the Tiber, and near the foot of the Palatine Hill. Here he built a town, naming it Pallantium after the one in Arcadia. At a later period it was incorporated with Rome, and is falsely affirmed to have originated the names Palatinus and Palatium. He did much to introduce the habits of social life among his neighbours; he prescribed for them milder laws, and taught them, among other arts, those of music and writing. To him is also ascribed the introduction of the worship of the Lyceean Pan, with that of Demeter, Poseidon, and other deities. Virgil represents him as being still alive when Æneas arrived in Latium after the sack of Troy, and as having sent him aid under his son Pallas, who fell by the hand of Turnus. Evander was worshipped both at Pallantium, in Arcadia, and at Rome.