Named for the centaur responsible for the death of Heracles {see planet  (5143)}. Driven from his home in Arcadia {see planet  (1020)} by Heracles, Nessus established himself as a ferryman who later encountered Heracles on travels with his new bride Dejanira {see planet  (157)}. Entrusted with ferrying Dejanira across the river Evenus, Nessus attempted to violate her and was as a result killed by Heracles. Before dying, Nessus gave Dejanira a poisonous love charm that she later unwittingly administered to Heracles. (M 29671) _ _.