Pillars of Hercules

the two opposite peaks at the eastern extremity of the Strait of Gibraltar, the one in Spain, the other in Africa. According to tradition the two were at one time bound together, but were torn asunder by Hercules that he might reach Gades, now Cadiz, a Phoenician colony. It is probable that the legend originated with the Phoenicians who regarded these promontories as the western boundary of their god Melhart in his aspect as a sun god. The peaks were called the Pillars of Melhart; and, when the Greeks came to identify their Hercules with Melhart, the rocks were called the Pillars of Hercules. The ancient geographical names were Calpe and Abyla. The modern names are Rock of Gibraltar and Mount Hacho.