Erymanthian boar facts for kids
 Heracles, Eurystheus and the Erymanthian boar. Side A from an Ancient Greek black-figured amphora, painted by the Antimenes painter, ca. 525 BC, from Etruria. Louvre Museum, Paris.
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| Grouping | Legendary creature |
|---|---|
| Country | Greece |
| Habitat | Mount Erymanthos |
The Erymanthian Boar was a giant, wild pig in Greek mythology. It was known for its huge size and fierce nature. This powerful creature lived on Mount Erymanthos in the ancient region of Arcadia, Greece. It would often leave its mountain home to cause trouble in nearby villages and farms.
One of the most famous stories about the Erymanthian Boar involves the hero Heracles. Capturing this boar was one of the twelve difficult tasks, or "labours," that Heracles had to complete.
Contents
Heracles and the Wild Boar
Heracles was given a very tough task by King Eurystheus of Mycenae. He had to capture the Erymanthian Boar and bring it back alive. This was Heracles' fourth labour.
Chasing the Mighty Beast
Heracles began his hunt on Mount Erymanthos. He chased the huge boar with loud shouts. This made the boar run out of its hiding place in a thick forest. Heracles kept chasing it, pushing the tired animal into deep snow. The snow made it hard for the boar to move quickly.
Capturing the Boar Alive
Once the boar was stuck in the deep snow, Heracles was able to trap it. He then used chains to bind the powerful creature. Even after being caught, the boar was still breathing hard and covered in dust from the chase. Heracles then lifted the enormous boar onto his left shoulder. He carried it all the way back to Mycenae. The boar was so heavy that it stained his back with blood from its wounds.
King Eurystheus' Fear
When Heracles arrived in Mycenae, he threw the boar down at the entrance to the city's meeting place. King Eurystheus was terrified when he saw the giant boar. He was so scared that he quickly hid himself inside a large bronze pot. This showed how truly frightening the Erymanthian Boar was, even to a king.
The Boar's Home and Nature
The Erymanthian Boar lived in the wild, rugged highlands of Arcadia. This area was known for its ancient traditions. The boar was a huge, scary creature that lived on Mount Erymanthos. This mountain was thought to be a special place for Artemis, the goddess of the hunt and wild animals.
Why Boars Were Feared
In ancient times, a wild boar was a very dangerous animal. If a goddess like Artemis was angry with a region, she might send a raging boar. This boar would then destroy farmers' fields and cause great harm. The Erymanthian Boar was one such creature, making it a true terror for the people of Arcadia.
Cultural Mentions
The story of the Erymanthian Boar was very popular in ancient times. Many famous writers and poets wrote about it. These stories helped keep the legend of Heracles and the boar alive.
- Sophocles (a Greek playwright)
- Apollonius Rhodius (a Greek epic poet)
- Virgil (a Roman epic poet)
- Ovid (a Roman epic poet)
- Plutarch (a Greek philosopher)
- Pausanias (a Greek travel writer)
These are just a few of the many ancient authors who mentioned the Erymanthian Boar in their works. Their writings show how important this myth was to ancient Greek and Roman culture.
Images for kids
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Heracles, Eurystheus and the Erymanthian boar.
See also
In Spanish: Jabalí de Erimanto para niños
