The town of Lixus is thought to have been founded by the Phoenicians in the 12C BC before falling into the hands of the Carthaginians, then the Romans (42 AD). Near the Loukos River are the remains of the salting works - where the garum prized by the Romans was made - and, on the hillside, those of the theatre, the acropolis and the Great Temple baths. According to Greek mythology, it was at Lixus that Hercules is said to have carried out the 11th of his 12 labours: stealing the golden apples from the Garden of the Hesperides.