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

One afternoon, Eurystheus made his proposal to Heracles, saying that he had heard of his incredible strength and disregard for danger. To remain in Tiryns, he asked Heracles to perform ten labors. Heracles responded immediately and without any hesitation, saying that he would carry out every wish of his.

"Very well," said Eurystheus, "now listen to what your first labor will be. In the neighboring mountains of Nemea, there is a fearsome lion that tears apart animals and humans. They say that this lion guarded the palace of the goddess Selene, and one day, because of her anger, she struck him and banished him to the earth. Some claim that he is the son of the dreadful Echidna, who is half-snake and half-woman. Well, I want you to kill this lion and bring me its skin."

"Your will shall be done," replied Heracles.

Taking his club as his only weapon, Heracles left the palace, while Eurystheus rejoiced, confident that his nephew would not return alive. He held this belief because, guided by the goddess Hera/Juno, he feared that Heracles might usurp his throne.

Heracles arrived at the mountains of Nemea at night and sought shelter from a shepherd in his hut. When he announced that he had come to kill the lion, the shepherd burst into tears.

"Oh, if only you could kill it," he said. "For the past few days, that cursed beast has eaten my only offspring."

"Do you know where I can find it?" Hercules asked.

"Yes, it lives in a cave on the highest peak of the mountain. I will guide you there tomorrow, and if Zeus helps you, you might be able to kill it."

With dawn and the shepherd's support, Hercules reached the cave. He noticed that the cave had two openings. He decided to block one to prevent the lion from escaping and, with determination and his club in hand, he entered through the other opening. He proceeded carefully and slowly. Suddenly, the fearsome lion, which had been lurking behind a rock, attacked him unexpectedly. Hercules, with his club raised high, struck it with great force. The ferocious animal was dazed from the powerful blow, and then Hercules grabbed it by the neck. Man and beast fought for a considerable time. Hercules's iron-like hands continuously tightened around the lion's neck until he strangled it.

Then, pulling the lion out of the cave, he skinned it and began his journey back to Tiryns. Before entering the palace, he wore the lion's skin, and when Eurystheus saw him, he ran and hid inside a jar to protect himself, believing that the Nemean lion itself had entered the palace!

When he finally realized Hercules' joke, grinding his teeth with rage, he said: "I don't know how you managed to survive, but now I'm preparing something that will make the Nemean lion seem like kid's play in comparison."