Fra Eveno e Tafiasso: leggende, territorio e storia ai confini dell’Etolia

The aim of this paper is to examine two myths, which are related to the South-eastern part of Aitolia and, more precisely, to the territory around the mouth of the river Evenus. These myths recount the vicissitudes of Ida and Marpessa, daughter of Evenus, and the killing of Nessus by Heracles. The river helps to give a context to both legends because it defines their geographic frame. As for the killing of Nessus, is devoted special attention to a late tradition, which locates the burial of the Centaur near Mount Taphiassus, lying not far from the Evenus. At the end of the paper, the possible historical implications of both legends are assessed.