ABSTRACT
Heracles’ first task was to kill the Nemean (NEE-me-un) Lion, which was terrorizing the people
of Nemea in the Peloponnese. Many people had tried to kill the lion before, but in vain. Its hide
could not be penetrated by any weapon. Heracles was not afraid of the lion, so he entered its
lair and strangled it. He then cut its skin open with its own claws and turned it into a fine
cloak. When Eurystheus learned that Heracles had killed the lion, he was so terrified that he
refused to allow Heracles to enter Mycenae for a long time.
