Nemean lion

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The Nemean lion (Modern Greek: Λέων της Νεμέας (Léōn tēs Neméas); Latin: Leo Nemaeus) was a vicious monster in Greek mythology that lived in Nemea. It was eventually killed by Heracles. The lion was usually considered the offspring of Typhon and Echidna, but it was also said to have fallen from the moon, offspring of Zeus and Selene. A third origin has it being born of the Chimera.

[edit] The First Labour of Heracles

The first of Heracles' twelve labours, set by Eurystheus (his cousin) was to slay the Nemean lion and bring back its skin.

Heracles wandered the areas until he came upon the town of Cleonae. There, he found a poor farm boy. This farm boy would sacrifice anything to get wealth. If Hercules slayed the Nemean lion (who lived in a cave) and returned alive within 30 days of leaving, they would sacrifice a lion to Zeus, the god of all gods. If he did not return within 30 days or he died, however, the boy would sacrifice himself to Zeus.

While he was looking for the lion, he made arrows to use against it, not knowing that it was immortal. When he found the lion, he started throwing arrows at the lion, but the lion wouldn't die. After some time Hercules made the lion return to his cave. The cave had two entrances, one of which Hercules blocked; he then entered the other. He stalked the lion till he trapped him in a corner, and choked him to death.

When he returned to the King, king Eurystheus was shocked, so he gave Hercules the lion's invincible pelt to wear. However, he said "the tasks will be getting harder."

This task took the course of three months when he was eighteen years old.

[edit] External links

• Encyclopedia Mythica - Nemean Lion

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