Ancient Greek Myth for Kids: The Wild Boar of Erymanthus - The 12 Labors of Hercules Illustration

Hercules & the Wild Boar of Erymanthus

An Ancient Greek Myth for Kids
The 3rd Labor of Hercules
The Wild Boar of Erymanthus

His 3rd labor was to bring the wild boar of Erymanthus back to the castle, alive.

Boars are wild pigs with tusks that can cut you. And they're smart. And mean. The wild boar of Erymanthus was a gigantic boar, which made him even more dangerous.

Hercules chased the huge boar up and down the mountains for almost a week before the boar dropped in exhaustion. Hercules was barely winded. He was glad he did not have to kill the boar. Hercules had gotten quite fond of the tricky fellow.

Hercules slung the boar around his neck, and carried him home. By the time he arrived at the castle, the boar had begun to recover. Hercules dropped the boar at King Eury's feet. The boar lifted its heavy head and snorted angrily. King Eury screamed and ran away. No one saw the king for the rest of the day. As for the boar, he disappeared. Some say Hercules gave him a lift home, back to the forest.

The 12 Labors of Hercules:

Hercules (the beginning)

The Nemean Lion

The Lernaean Hydra

The Wild Boar of Erymanthus

The Stag of Artemis

The Stymphalian Birds

The Augean Stables

The Cretan Bull

The Girdle of Hippolyta

The Cattle of Geryon

The Mares of King Diomedes

The Golden Apples of the Hesperides

The Capture of Cerberus