Bouraikos - Βουραικος

Bouraikos. Of Boura. 

This is one of the place-name epithets of Herakles. I had to look Boura up as it wasn't ringing any bells. Boura is a city of ancient Achaea, which is located in the Peloponnese region. According to Wikipedia they had temples to Demeter, Aphrodite, Eileithyia and Isis. It also mentioned Herakles, which is what I was looking for (how it applied to him)-- "A little to the east of Boura was the river Buraïcus; and on the banks of this river, between Boura and the sea, was an oracular cavern of Heracles surnamed Buraicus."

Oracular cavern, eh? Sounds interesting! Unfortunately, that's all Wiki mentions about the subject. 

I found this referece at Theoi:
I) Near BOURA Village in Akhaia
Pausanias, Description of Greece 7. 25. 10 :
"On descending from Boura towards the sea you come to a river called Bouraikos, and to a small Herakles in a cave. He too is surnamed Bouraikos, and here one can divine by means of a tablet and dice. He who inquires of the god offers up a prayer in front of the image, and after the prayer he takes four dice, a plentiful supply of which are placed by Herakles, and throws them upon the table. For every figure made by the dice there is an explanation expressly written on the tablet."

Awesome! The researcher in my wants to know more. I wish some record of the dice meanings were preserved. I can't find much, if any information that explains things further, though.

Under a Wiki entry for the river, it says:
"According to legend there was a cave on the banks of the river which was dedicated to Hercules. There pilgrims came to read their fate in the Tables of Knowledge, as they were called."

I think divination by dice would be a great way to consult Herakles. I have no plans to attempt that just yet, but if I do, I'd have to figure out some meaning to the numbers. It's something I'll keep in mind.

I saw this epithet and to be honest, though it was rather boring and unimportant. I was going to pass over it. I'm glad I didn't! It turns out it sheds light on an aspect of Herakles that is far from boring! This is why I'm looking into things :-) I'm glad I'm taking the time to look deeper and learn more. It's fun!


Sites of interest:
Boura, Wikipedia
Theoi
Vouraikos River, Wikipedia

Alexicacus - Ἀλεξίκακος

Averter of Evil.
Epithet of Zeus, Apollon and Herakles.

When I first read this epithet, I assumed it referred to the fact that Herakles rid the world of monsters and other unsavory types during his Labors and life. I thought the "evil" referred to was of a more obvious sort (foes, enemies, etc). I had no idea that it had other associations. It seems that Herakles, under the epithet of Alexicacus, was associated with health and other curative aspects. He was an averter of disease and plague. He even had a number of healing shrines and springs where people gave thanks for cures received and prayed for continued health. The epithet allows for both associations (health/curative and protecting/defending against enemies/foes), which is cool.

I wrote a short prayer/invocation after learning this --

Hail Herakles!
Mighty son of Zeus and Alcmene
I pray to you. 
Alexikakos, Averter of Evil, 
Preserve me from all misfortune and ills!
Strong one, protector of mankind,
may you be triumphant!

It's not the best, but I wanted to write something. Perhaps as I get to know him more, I'll have a better, more personal piece. :-)


Links of interest:
Herakles and Healing Cult in the Peloponnesos
Averters of Evil
Google Book's preview: Horos Dios: an Athenian shrine and cult of Zeus (has section about Herakles Alexicacus)
Votive relief 

Epithets

1. Leontothymos - Lion-Hearted
2. Alexikakos & Apotropaios - Averter of Evil
3. Soter - Savior
4. Hegemonios – Leader of the March
5. Kynagidas - Huntsman
6. Korunephoros - Club-bearer
7. Monoikos - Solitary
8. Promakhos - Champion
9. Kallinikos - Triumphant
10. Propylaios - Guardian of the Gate
11. Kharops - Bright-Eyed, Joyful Looking
12. Heros Theos - Hero-God
13. Patroos - Ancestor
14. Palaimôn - Wrestler
15. Hippodetos - Horse-Binder
16. Parastatês - Defender
17. Thêbaios - Of Thebes
18. Anax & Kyrios- Lord
19. Aigyptios - Egyptian
20. Kornopiôn - Locust Scarer
21. Ipoktonos - Killer of Vine Worms
22. Rhinololoustês - Nose-Clipper
23. Parastatês - Comrade, Assister
24. Kynosarges - White Dog
25. Thasios - Of Thasos
26. Bouraikos - Of Boura
27. Tirynthios - Of Tiryns
28. Kallinikos – Glorious Conqueror
29. Custos – Guardian 
30. Olympios - Olympian
31. Victor – Victorious (Latin/Roman)
32. Invictus – Unconquered (Latin/Roman) 
33. Magisus - The Great One (Roman/Gaulish) 1 
34. Geniculator/Geniculatus - On His Knees (Latin/Roman)
35. Saegontius - Leader in Victory (Roman/Gaulish/Brythoninc) 2 
36. Magusanus/Makinosanos- The Great One/Old Youth (Roman/Gaulish) 3
37. Toliandossus - Blind Sleeper (Roman/Gaulish) 4
38. Graius - The Terrible (Roman/Gaulish) 5

[To be updated as need]

Sources:
Theoi 
Wiki
1 Magisus 
2 Saegontius
3 Magusanus/Makinosanos
4 Toliandossus
5 Graius