Hannibal-in-the-Alps questions

[Jona Lendering]

In the Origin of the Legends: Evander and Hercules section of Cornell’s excellent book he says:

... An alternative theory, not ruled out by Bayet, is based on the close affinities between Hercules and the Phoenician Melqart, and maintains that the Roman Hercules was of Phoenician origin. It has been suggested that the cult was introduced by Tyrian merchants who took up residence in the Forum Boarium; but this interesting suggestion has not been substantiated by archaeology.

It's even better than was initially believed. In the Roman legend, Hercules sleeps when his cattle is stolen, and wakes up. This became unexpectedly a crucial point when it was discovered, not so long ago, that the Phoenicians believed that Melqart stood up from the death.