Nemean Lionskin

The myth

After strangling the Nemean Lion, Heracles found that no blade could cut the beast's hide. According to Theocritus, he skinned it using the lion's own claws. Apollodorus says the hero from then on wore the pelt as armor and the lion's gaping head as a helmet. That pelt became Heracles' most recognizable emblem in Greek art, together with his wooden club. In some accounts, the skin Heracles wore came instead from the lion of Cithaeron, which he had killed in his youth.

Why it has this power

A Common equipment card that gives 500 ATK and DEF to a Warrior or Beast. What protected the lion now protects its wearer: it suits heroes and beasts alike, like the lion that first owned it. Great with Heracles, the Erymanthian Boar and the Cretan Bull.

Did you know

Coins of Alexander the Great show Heracles wearing the lion's scalp, sometimes with the king's own features.

Connections

• In Nikos the Young Hoplite's deck
• In Elena, Huntress of Artemis's deck
• In Aristeia, Champion of Olympus's deck

Where to get it

• Daily Offering: 0% per pack (Common 64% per card)
• Welcome Pack: 0.97% per pack (Common 70% per card)
• Traveler's Pack: 0.88% per pack · 5.2% in the themed pack (Common 64% per card)
• Bronze Reliquary: 0.86% per pack · 5.1% in the themed pack (Common 62% per card)
• Silver Reliquary: 0.67% per pack · 4% in the themed pack (Common 49% per card)
• Golden Reliquary: 0.46% per pack · 2.7% in the themed pack (Common 33% per card)
• Daily Showcase: Shows up on about 0.69% of days · 150 gold
• Craft with card dust: 40 dust
• Crossing of Myths: Can be offered as a reward during a crossing (the card stays in the crossing deck).

Sources

1. NEMEAN LION (Leon Nemeios) - Labour of Heracles in Greek Mythology — Aaron J. Atsma, Theoi Project
2. The Library, Book 2 — Pseudo-Apollodorus (trans. J. G. Frazer), Theoi Classical Texts Library