Home > Myths and Legends of the World > Nemean Lion

In Greek mythology the Nemean Lion was a fearsome beast slain by HerculesGreek hero who had 12 labors to perform; Roman god of strength as one of his 12 Labors. The hero had killed his wife and children in a fit of madness and was told by an oraclepriest or priestess or other creature through whom a god is believed to speak; also the location (such as a shrine) where such words are spoken to go to the city of Tiryns for his punishment. There King Eurystheus could present him with 12 seemingly impossible challenges or labors.

Hercules' first task was to slay the Nemean Lion, the offspring of the monsters Typhon and Echidna. Twice as large as a normal lion, the animal had skin so tough that no weapons could penetrate it. After tracking the lion to its cave in the land of Nemea, Hercules tried to kill it with...