Heroes and Beasts: Heracles and the Nemean Lion

Heracles was the son of Zeus and the mortal Alcmene, wife of Amphitryon, and the most celebrated hero in classical antiquity. The bane of the jealous Hera, Heracles was driven mad by the queen of heaven and killed his own children by Megara. Cleansed of this action, Heracles was instructed by the Delphic oracle to serve Eurystheus, king of Mycenae, for twelve years. Of the many deeds which Heracles accomplished, the first of the famous Twelve Labors assigned to him by Eurystheus was to kill the lion of Nemea. This supernatural beast had been sent by Hera to torment the herdsmen in the area. Its skin was impenetrable by weapons, so Heracles set aside his trusty sword and arrows and wrestled with the beast, ultimately strangling it to death. Using the creature's own claws, he stripped it of its skin, which he wore as part of his regular attire.