First Labor: Slay The Nemean Lion

1. First Labor: Slay the Nemean Lion

In the town of Cleonae, Hercules found the Nemean lion and attempted to kill it with his bow and arrows, but its fur prevented the arrows from penetrating. He then lured the lion back to its cave, struck it with his club, and strangled it to death. He then skinned the lion with its own claws and returned to the city on the thirtieth day.

2. Second Labor: Slay the Lernaean Hydra

In a swamp near Lake Lerna, Hercules shot flaming arrows into the Hydra’s cave, before cutting off its heads with his weapon. However, two heads grew back for every one that was cut off. His nephew Iolaus helped him by using fire to cauterize the neck before the heads could grow back. Hera sent a crab to distract Hercules, but he

crushed it with his foot, and cut off the Hydra’s only immortal head and killed it. He dipped his arrows in the Hydra’s poisonous blood.
3.

Third Labor: Capture the Ceryneian Hind

Hercules chased the Ceryneian Hind for a year before capturing it. He begged Artemis for forgiveness, and she forgave him. He later let it escape while presenting it to the king.

4. Fourth Labor: Capture the Erymanthian Boar

On Mount Erymanthos, Hercules ate with Pholus the centaur, and was later attacked by drunk centaurs. He killed many with the arrows he dipped in the Hydra’s blood. He consulted Chiron the centaur, who told him to drive the boar into the snow. He captured the boar and carried it to King Eurystheus, who hid in a jar because he was afraid of the boar.

5. Fifth Labor: Clean King Augeas’ Stables

King Augeas had over a thousand cattle that produced an abundance of dung, and the stables had not been cleaned for over thirty years. Hercules cleaned the stables by diverting rivers to wash out the stables. Because he did not personally clean the stables, the labor was not

counted.
6. Sixth Labor: Kill the Stymphalian Birds
In Lake Stymphalia, the Stymphalian man-eating birds with bronze beaks and feathers destroyed crops and killed people. Athena gave Hercules a rattle made by Hephaestus that frightened the birds into the air. Hercules then shot them with his arrows.
7. Seventh Labor: Capture the Cretan Bull
In Crete, Hercules attacked the Bull from behind and strangled it, stopping before it died.

He then sent it to Eurystheus, who hid in his jar. Hera refused to have the Bull sacrificed to her, and it was released and later known as the Marathonian Bull.

8. Eighth Labor: Capture Mares of Diomedes

The Mares of Diomedes were four mares owned by Diomedes that ate human flesh. Hercules fought and killed Diomedes, and fed him to the horses. The horses calmed down and became controllable, and their mouths were bound and sent to Eurystheus.

9. Ninth Labor: Retrieve Belt of Hippolyta

King Eurystheus’ daughter wanted the Belt of Hippolyta, the queen of the Amazons. Hera tricked the Amazons into believing Hercules was planning to abduct Hippolyta. The Amazons attacked Hercules and he killed Hippolyta, taking the belt and sending it to the king.

10. Tenth Labor: Herd the Cattle of Geryon

In Erytheia, Hercules killed Orthrus, the watchdog of Geryon’s cattle, with his club. Geryon, with three heads, three bodies, and six arms, attacked Hercules. Hercules shot and killed him with one of his poisonous arrows. Hercules then herded the Cattle back to Eurystheus, despite obstacles created by Hera.

11. Eleventh Labor: Steal the Apples of the

Hesperides
In the Garden of the Hesperides, Hercules agreed to hold the heavens for Atlas while he got the apples. Atlas did so, but refused to take the heavens back. Hercules tricked Atlas into taking the heavens back and returned to Eurystheus with the Apples.
12. Twelfth Labor: Capture Cerberus
In the Underworld, Hercules asked Hades if he could take Cerberus, a three-headed dog with a snake mane and tail. Hades agreed, on the condition that Hercules would use no weapons. Hercules wrestled Cerberus into submission, and carried it back to Eurystheus, who agreed to absolve Hercules from his labors if he released Cerberus back into the Underworld.