Leo

Heracles' cousin King Eurystheus created the labors as repetence for Heracules' slaying of his family.

His first task was to kill the Nemean Lion.

The Nemean Lion stalked the hills of Nemea, and struck fear into the hearts of the inhabitants. The lion had raged through the herds of Nemea, and began eating the children of the Cleonae. Many attempted to hunt it, and from those who returned alive it was reported that the lion's golden skin could not be penetrated by any mortal made arrow.

Indeed, the lion had been created by Hera, who designed his impenetrable fur to be as strong as steel, and claws as sharp as swords. Fighting the lion would be no simple task, but Heracles was determine to overcome.

Heracles roamed the hills searching for the lion, but he saw no sign of it's golden fur. He came to the town of Cleonae, and met a small boy. Speaking with the child, Heracles learned of the town's plan to make a sacrifice. The child revealed that if the hero returned in thirty days, the town would sacrifice a lion to Zeus in Heracles' honor. However, if he were not to return alive, the town would sacrifice the boy to Zeus.

Heracles thought of his own sons, and was ever more determined not to let this child meet that fate.

Heracles gathered arrows for his bow, and set out in search of the lion.

As he walked through the hills, he noticed movement in the distance. The lion stalked it's next prey: an unsuspecting farmer tending to his field. Heracles nocked his arrow, and pulled. The arrow cut through the air and quickly hit it's target, but the lions impenetrable fur bounced the arrow off as easily as if it were a fly. The lion was startled by the arrow, and retreated back toward it's cave.

Heracles realized his arrows were useless, and devised a plan to capture the lion. He followed the lion to his cave, and blocked the entrance with a giant boulder. Another entrance to the cave lay to the east, and the hero entered the den through this hole.

The cave was pitch dark, and every little noise echoed off the walls. Heracles was careful to walk quietly so as not to alert the beast. He came upon the sleeping lion, and crept up close to it, raising his club and slamming it over the lion's head.

The lion jumped up in a frenzy, and rushed toward Heracles. Heracles grabbed the lion, and wrestled it to the ground. The two struggled to get on top, but eventually Heracles made out as victor. He wrapped his arms around the lion's neck, and squeezed until the lion moved no more.

Heracles removed a claw from the lion's giant paw, and skinned the beast's pelt. He returned to Cleonae on the thirtieth day carrying the body of the lion.

Wearing the pelt of the lion, Heracles returned to his cousin Eurystheus. Amazed that the hero had survived, Eurystheus realized the absolute power of the demi-god. This terrified the king, and he banished Heracles from entering his city. Eurystheus ordered any fruit of his labors be presented outside of the towns gates, and only spoke to Heracles through his herald, Copreus.

His next task was to slay the Hydra.

To honor the lion she created, Hera raised his body into the sky, where it became the constellation Leo.