Greek Myths XS: Herakles vs the Nemean Lion

Of the “twelve labours of Herakles”, the first one is the best known: the slaying of the Nemean Lion. As the brother of some notorious monsters like Kerberos and the Sphynx, its golden fur couldn’t be pierced by arrows or knives. So, Herakles had to enter the dark cave where it was hiding, stun it with his club and then strangle it with his bare hands. Having fun every step of the way. Well, maybe a bit less when the beast bit off one of his fingers. He then went on to skin his prey, but his knife couldn’t get true, so he used one of the lion’s claws instead. (He didn’t think of that himself, it was Athena’s idea, in her capacity as patroness of heroes.) Since then, he wore the lion’s skin as an armour, and it makes him easily recognisable on pictures. The struggle with the lion has been a coveted subject for artists, and a striking impression is given by the Flemish baroque painter Pieter Paul Rubens. You can count Herakles’ muscles and the lion stares you right in the face. I feel the artist’s sympathy is with the lion rather than with Herakles. As is mine.

Herakles and the Nemean Lion, Musée du Louvre, Paris, France

Hercules and the Nemean Lion, Pieter Paul Rubens, National Museum of Romania,

Boekarest, Romania