Nemean Lion · Atlas

in the texts

Tusculan DisputationsHellenistic · Latin

Mythical lion defeated by Hercules as one of his labors

Hercules, whom that very thing which you would have to be irascibility — that is, fortitude — raised to heaven, do you think fought angrily with the Erymanthian boar or the Nemean lion?

the critique of pure reason ¶

HeraclesClassical · Greek

The lion of Nemea, strangled by Heracles as his first labor, whose skin became his signature garment.

After all, what was the fine exploit your husband achieved, if he did kill a water-snake in a marsh or that monster of Nemea?

heracles ¶

First he cleared the grove of Zeus of a lion, and put its skin upon his back, hiding his yellow auburn hair in its fearful gaping jaws.

heracles ¶

TheogonyClassical · Greek

A lion born to Echidna and Orthus, raised by Hera to haunt the hills of Nemea as a plague to men, eventually overcome by Heracles.

There he preyed upon the tribes of her own people and had power over Tretus of Nemea and Apesas:

theogony ¶

but Echidna was subject in love to Orthus and brought forth the deadly Sphinx which destroyed the Cadmeans, and the Nemean lion, which Hera, the good wife of Zeus, brought up and made to haunt the hills of Nemea, a plague to men.

theogony ¶

De Rerum NaturaHellenistic · Latin

Mythic lion slain by Hercules as the first of his Twelve Labours.

Of Nemeaean Lion, or what the Boar

chapter 5 ¶

For what could hurt us now that mighty maw

chapter 5 ¶

NemeanClassical · Greek

The legendary lion of Nemea, whose associated wild-celery 'herb' forms the victory crown referenced in the text.

And the herb of the Nemean lion once crowned him when he was victorious beneath the shady primeval mountains of Phlius.

chapter 6 ¶

De PallioLate Antiquity · Latin

Mythological lion slain by Hercules, whose skin is degraded by Omphale's perfuming.

for then it looked about itself and saw that it had lost its lion.

de pallio ¶