Eurystheus and the deer

Once when Eurystheus was out hunting in the mountains of Arcadia, he saw a strange deer. It had golden antlers and bronze claws. And he very much wanted to have it in Mycenae. So he ordered Hercules to bring it alive, so that he could enjoy it as beautiful as it was.

Hercules meets the deer

Hercules set out and began to climb the mountains of Arcadia, looking for the deer. For days he returned without finding it. Finally, as he came to a clearing, he saw it grazing quietly. But as soon as he approached it, he started to run. And how he ran! Like the wind! For it was Artemis' sacred deer.

The hunt

Hercules ran then, but where to reach it. In vain he chased it and grew weary. For a moment he could see it and then he lost it, he started again, started again, began the chase. But nothing worked.

Hercules catches the deer

So autumn passed, winter came and then spring. And yet to catch it. Until one day he saw it going to the river to drink water. So he ran and set up a trap for it. And when it passed by, he reached out his hand through the hammocks where it was hidden and caught its foot firmly. Then he tied it with care, put it on his shoulders, and drew off for Mycenae.