Third Labor - Hercules (Heracles - Herakles)

Apollodorus Labor 3 - Cerynitian Hind (Also Known as Cerynean Hind)

This is a retelling of the third of twelve labors the Greek hero Hercules performed for Eurystheus

Although the golden horned Cerynitian hind was sacred to Artemis, Eurystheus ordered Hercules to bring it to him alive. It would have been easy enough to kill the beast, but capturing it proved challenging. After a year of trying to capture it, Hercules broke down and shot it with an arrow -- appparently NOT one of those he'd previously dipped in the hydra's blood. The arrow didn't prove fatal, but did provoke the indignation of the goddess Artemis. However, when Hercules explained his mission, she understood, and let him be. He was thus able to carry the beast alive to Mycenae and King Eurystheus.

<Previous Labor> <Next Labor>
<Hercules Labors TOC> <Back to Last Page>