A-ces'tes, who ruled in that part of the island, was a Trojan by
descent, and he had hospitably received the wanderers on their former
visit. They, therefore, turned the prows of their galleys towards
Sicily, and soon reached Drepanum, where they were met and welcomed by
Acestes, who from a hill top had seen their vessels approaching the
shore.

Next day AEneas, accompanied by king Acestes, and a great multitude of
people, proceeded to the grave of Anchises where they erected altars,
and according to the custom of the times, poured wine and milk on the
ground, as an offering to the gods. Fresh flowers were then scattered
on the tomb. While these ceremonies were being performed all present
were startled by the appearance of a huge serpent with scales of
golden hue, which suddenly glided from beneath the tomb, trailed among
the bowls or goblets containing the wine and milk, tasted slightly of
the contents, and then returned into the vault.

Betwixt the rising altars, and around,
The sacred monster shot along the ground;
With harmless play amidst the bowls he passed,
And with his lolling tongue assayed the taste:
Thus fed with holy food, the wondrous guest
Within the hollow tomb retired to rest.
DRYDEN, _AEneid_, BOOK V.

AEneas believed that this serpent was an attendant on the shade of
Anchises. He supposed, therefore, that his father was now elevated to
the dignity of a god, for most of the gods had inferior deities
assigned to them as ministers or messengers.