Gods,Heroes,Myths Greek Mythology Homer's epics,Expeditions

A significant amount of time passed, and one day Eurystheus summoned Heracles and asked him if he was ready to undertake his third labor. Heracles responded resolutely: "I am willing to do whatever you ask."

Then Eurystheus explained: "This time, I will not send you to kill any beast. In the high mountains that separate Argolis from Arcadia, lives a deer, the sacred deer of the goddess Artemis/Diana. It has golden antlers and runs with great speed, even faster than the strongest wind. I want you to bring the living deer of Artemis to Tiryns."

Heracles understood that this task was not at all easy. It was dangerous, as the goddess Artemis would become angry if anything happened to the deer and might impose severe penalties on him. Nevertheless, Heracles could not refuse. He decided to obey his uncle.

Thus, Heracles embarked on his journey and, after a few days, arrived in the wild mountains of Arcadia. On Mount Artemision, one of these mountains, he encountered a hunter and asked him if he had seen the deer with the golden antlers.

"I have seen the deer many times," the hunter replied to Heracles. "But do not dare to kill it, for it is the sacred deer of Artemis"

"I want to capture it alive," explained Heracles.

"You won’t be able to catch it, for it runs like lightning. It will carry you far away and you will find yourself in a strange land from which you will never be able to return. Hunt other animals and do not touch the stag with the golden antlers."

Hercules, however, disregarded the hunter’s advice. He began searching everywhere, through the foothills of the mountains, in the ravines, and by the rivers, trying to locate the stag. After several days, he finally spotted it drinking water from a small spring. It was the most beautiful stag he had ever seen, and its golden antlers gleamed in the morning sun.

Hercules began to chase the stag, but it managed to escape him. Thus began a fierce hunt that lasted several hours until nightfall brought a pause. The next day, the pursuit continued. The stag ran relentlessly, and Hercules followed without respite. They left the mountains behind and were now racing through a valley. When the stag reached a river, the Ladon, it leaped into the water and swam across to the opposite bank. Hercules also entered the river, and by swimming swiftly, he managed to catch up with the stag and capture it. He then carried the stag on his shoulders and started his journey back to Tiryns.

However, suddenly, the goddess Artemis appeared in front of him.

"Why did you kill my sacred deer?" she asked angrily.

Heracles explained that he hadn't killed it, apologized, and promised that once he reached Tiryns and presented it to Eurystheus, he would set it free. Artemis forgave him, and so, a few days later, Heracles entered the palace of Tiryns and showed his uncle the sacred deer, proving that he had completed his third labor.