Nemean lion, a gigantic beast with impenetrable skin

The lion of Nemea was a beast of enormous size, which could not be wounded by iron or bronze or stone and required the compulsion of the human hand for its subduing. According to Aelian, the lion fell from the moon as it was brought up by Hera and made to haunt the hills of Nemea. Alternatively, it is said by Apollodorus that it was begotten by Typhon (Typhoeus), a giant son of Gaia. The beast acted as a plague to inhabitatns because it prayed upon the tribes and had power over Tretus of Nemea and Apesas. it is said that the lion passed the larger part of its time between Mycenae and Nemea, in the neighbourhood of a mountain Tretus because of a peculiarity which it possessed. It had a cleft at its base which extended clean through it and in which the beast had its den and was accustomed to lurk. 

Meeting its fate

It all came down at the creature's den. It is said that Heracles had come to Nemea in his first labour, requested by Eurystheus who ordered the hero to bring him the skin of the creature. Heracles tracked the lion's den and confronted it, after barricading the other entrance. It is said that the hero first tried with a couple of arrows but to no avail because its skin was invulnerable. The beast fought back and they grappled until the hero was able to wind his arms about its neck and choked it to death. After unsuccessfully trying to flay the skin, one of the immortals did mind him to use its talons and Heracles was finally able to separate the skin which he used for himslef as a protection against the perils which were to follow.

According to Hyginus' Astronomica, the lion has been put among the stars because it is considered the king of beasts.