As far as I know, the Nemean Lion did not have a specific given name. It was simply referred to as the Nemean Lion because it terrorized the region of Nemea in ancient Greece. The lion was known for its immense size and strength, as well as its impenetrable hide.
Legend has it that the Nemean Lion was the offspring of Typhon and Echidna, two fearsome creatures of Greek mythology. Its hide was said to be so tough that no weapon could pierce it, making it invulnerable to conventional attacks.
When King Eurystheus assigned Herakles the task of slaying the Nemean Lion as part of his twelve Labours, it was a formidable challenge. Herakles, being a demigod and renowned for his incredible strength, was the only one capable of facing such a formidable opponent.
Upon encountering the lion, Herakles quickly realized that his usual weapons were useless against the creature’s impenetrable hide. He had to come up with a different strategy to defeat the beast. Using his bare hands, Herakles managed to strangle the lion to death, relying on his sheer strength and skill.
After slaying the Nemean Lion, Herakles famously used the lion’s own claws to skin the beast and create a new, impenetrable cloak for himself. This lion skin became one of Herakles’ iconic attributes, symbolizing his triumph over the mighty Nemean Lion.
While the Nemean Lion did not possess a personal name, it played a significant role in the mythology of ancient Greece. Its invulnerable hide and Herakles’ epic battle against it have made the Nemean Lion a legendary creature that continues to captivate our imaginations today.