Nemean lion facts for kids

Hercules and the Nemean lion, Gandhara, India, 1st century.

The Nemean lion was a very strong and scary monster from Greek mythology. It lived in a place called Nemea. This lion was special because its golden fur was so tough that no normal weapon could hurt it! Its claws were also super sharp, able to cut through any armor. The famous hero Heracles eventually killed this powerful beast.

Heracles and the Nemean Lion

Killing the Nemean lion was the very first of the Twelve Labors that Heracles had to complete. These labors were difficult tasks given to him by King Eurystheus. Heracles was sent to defeat the lion and bring back its skin.

The Fight with the Beast

When Heracles found the Nemean lion, he first tried to shoot it with his arrows. But the arrows just bounced off its golden fur! He then tried to hit it with his club, but the club broke into pieces. Heracles soon realized that regular weapons would not work against this monster.

Heracles' Clever Plan

Heracles then decided to use his incredible strength. He chased the lion into a cave that had two entrances. Heracles blocked one entrance, trapping the lion inside. Then, he went into the cave through the other entrance. He wrestled the lion with his bare hands. Heracles was so strong that he managed to choke the lion to death.

The Lion's Skin

After defeating the lion, Heracles tried to skin it, but he couldn't. Its hide was too tough for any knife. The goddess Athena then appeared and told Heracles to use one of the lion's own claws to cut its skin. Heracles did this, and he wore the lion's skin as armor. This made him even more powerful and protected him from future dangers.

Images for kids

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  Heracles slaying the Nemean lion. Detail of a Roman mosaic from Llíria (Spain).

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  Hercules' fight with the Nemean lion, Peter Paul Rubens.

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  An ancient Greek pot called an Oinochoe, made around 520–500 BC, found in Vulci.

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  A white-ground lekythos (another type of Greek pot), from about 500-475 BC, found in Athens, painted by the Diosphos Painter.

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  A Roman-era relief sculpture from the 2nd century.

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  A Renaissance plaque created by Galeazzo Mondella.

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  A marble sculpture by J.M. Félix Magdalena (born 1941).

See also

In Spanish: León de Nemea para niños