person
Battus
An old Messenian herdsman who, bribed to silence over Mercury's theft of Apollo's cattle, betrayed it and was turned to stone (the 'Informer').
Reading notes
- Ibis §18 Battus
Battus, turned to stone by Mercury for betraying, with his tongue, the theft of the cattle.
- Metamorphoses §2.32 Battus
The old herdsman bribed to silence who betrayed Mercury's theft and was turned to stone.