Nemean Lion. A monstrous lion, near the forest of Nemaea, wasted the surrounding country and threatened destruction to the herds. Hercules promised to deliver the country of the monster, and Thespius rewarded Hercules by making him his guest so long as the chase lasted. Hercules slew the lion, and henceforth wore its skin as his ordinary garment, and its mouth and head as his helmet. Others related that the lion's skin of Hercules was taken from the Nemaean lion. This great adventure happened while he was watching the oxen of his father.
