Hercules

In Ancient Roman mythology Hercules, or Herakles in Greek culture, was famous for his strength as well as for his numerous far-ranging adventures. As a punishment, Hercules was ordered to undertake twelve tasks. The first task was to free the inhabitants of the city of Nemea in Greece from a vicious lion – the so called Nemean lion. With his Herculean supernatural power, Hercules strangled the lion with his bare hands. Thereafter, he dressed in its skin in such a way that his head peeked out of its gaping jaws. Thus, a lion’s skin was one of Heracles’ attributes, which makes him easily recognizable on vases and other depictions.