Heracles and the Nemean Lion
Sending a hero off to ‘certain death’ never seems to work out...
This post is number 1 in the series Twelve Labours of Heracles
The goddess Hera hated Heracles, so the ancient Greek myths tell, because he was one of the many love-children fathered by her consort Zeus, king of the gods of Olympus. But time after times, her efforts to destroy him were frustrated.
IT was Hera who sent two snakes to devour Heracles in his cot, but he strangled them with his bare hands. It was Hera who induced a fit of madness in Heracles so great, that he slew his own children. And when the broken-hearted Heracles consulted the oracle at Delphi, it was Hera who spoke through her, telling Heracles to serve his cousin Eurystheus for twelve years.
Hera knew that Eurystheus would leap at the chance to rid himself of his rival for the throne of Tiryns, and the sly king immediately sent Heracles to the Valley of Nemea, to capture a lion with a golden hide no weapon could pierce. But Heracles wrestled with the lion, and strangled it with his bare hands.
He had some difficulty getting the skin off until Athena suggested using the animal’s own claw. But he wore it for his homecoming, scaring Eurystheus so badly that he hid in a large winejar, and communicated thereafter through his herald.
Next in series: Heracles and the Hydra
Suggest answers to this question. See if you can limit one answer to exactly seven words.
Why did Eurystheus send Heracles on such a dangerous mission?
Express the ideas below in a single sentence, using different words as much as possible. Do not be satisfied with the first answer you think of; think of several, and choose the best.
Hera sent two snakes to kill Heracles. He throttled them with his bare hands. He was only a baby.