Nemean Lion

Origin: Greek mythology

Resides In: Nemea

The Nemean Lion is a terrifying monster, said to be impervious to normal weapons. Its claws were sharper than any mortal blade, and can cut through even armor. As his first task, Herakles must slay the Nemean Lion, but quickly found that his bow and arrow were useless. After the Lion returned to its cave, Herakles blocked one entrance, forcing the beast to leave through one opening. Trapping the Lion, Herakles stunned it with his club, and then strangled the monster to death. The hero then used the Lion’s own claws to skin the hide.

Semele

Origin: Greek mythology

Once while slaughtering a bull at a sacred altar, Zeus spies on Semele in the form of an eagle and falls desperately in love. He transforms himself into a mortal man, wooing her.

After finding out about the affair, Hera befriends Semele, who tells her of Zeus’ identity. Pretending to be unconvinced, Hera plants a seed of doubt in her. Later, Semele convinces Zeus to reveal his true form. Extremely reluctant but eager to please her, Zeus reveals his true self, but his thunderbolts incinerate his lover.

Zeus managed to save their unborn child, however. The god had sewn the baby into his thigh until he was ready to be born. The child was Dionysus, who would eventually bring his mother back from the Underworld, where she will become a goddess on Mount Olympus under a new name, Thyone.

Ceryneian Hind

Origin: Greek mythology

Type: deer

This huge deer is larger than a bul, fast enough to outrun an arrow, and has bronze hooves and golden antlers. Sacred to Artemis, it is named for Mount Cerynea.

In one version, Hercules is tasked to capture the animal for the king. He lames the Ceryneian when it stopped for a drink, using a poisoned arrow. After completing his mission Hercules releases it, so that it may return to Artemis.

Eurymanthian Boar

Origin: Greek mythology

Type: boar

Resides In: Mount Eurymanthus

It is a giant, wild boar that roams an area sacred to the goddess, Artemis. It is described as having razor sharp tusks.

Ordered to bring it back alive, Hercules sets out to capture the boar. Along the way, he is entertained by Centaurs. They become intoxicated, forcing Hercules to shoot them down. Only the immortal Centaur Chiron, survives, and he advises the hero to drive the boar into the mountains to subdue it. Once the task is complete, Hercules brings the boar to the king, who is so terrified that he had the boar placed in a jar.

Cerberus

Origin: Greek mythology

Type: mythical hound

Resides In: the Underworld

erberus is a multi-headed (usually three headed) dog that guards the gates to the Underworld. Depending on the author, each head represented the past, present and future. It is also said that Cerberus has an appetite for live meat only, employed to be Hade’s loyal watch dog.

In Heracles’ trials, he must defeat Cerberus with his bare hands. He succeeded, and brought the beast to Eurystheus.

Sirens

Origin: Greek mythology

Sirens were devious half human, half bird creatures who use their songs to lure sailors into the sea. Depending on the story, they varied from two to five sirens at a time. Some say that they are fated to die if they fail to lure a sailor with their song.

In one story, it is said that Hera, the queen of all gods, had ordered a singing competition between the Sirens and the Muses. The Muses won, and plucked the Siren’s feathers in order to make a crown for themselves. Ashamed, the Sirens leaped into the sea, forming islands.