Capture of the Ceryneian Hind (3rd Labor)

Since I'm on "c" now I thought I'd look into the capture of the Ceryneian Hind (the third labor). This hind was said to be larger than a bull and was sacred to Artemis. It had golden antlers and bronze hooves. It was super fast and was said to be able to outrun an arrow in flight. It seems she intended for it to be part of her chariot, but it escaped and was left to wander. Or as another version goes, it was a gift from the nymph Taÿgete (or Taÿgete herself transformed).

Pissed that Herakles completed his previous tasks (Nemean Lion & Hydra) without dying, Eurystheus and Hera thought they'd stop him in his tracks with this task. They knew he could kill monstrous beasts, but could he catch something so fast (and alive)? And what of Artemis' wrath, could he survive that? They didn't think so...

Myth varies on how he caught the hind, but most sources I've read say he chased the deer for a year (or more) all over the place, through Greece, Thrace, and even as far north as Hyperborea. Some accounts I read said the hind grew tired and took a rest by a river and others say the hind never tired and Herakles realized he needed to take action (or he could be chasing her forever). Either way, as the hind stopped for a drink at a river, Herakles took an arrow and shot it at the deer. He aimed for the hoof region so as not to kill the animal as he only wanted to incapacitate her long enough for capture. And capture her he did!

He took this hind and started on the long journey back to Mycenae, but on the way he ran into trouble. Artemis (and Apollo some add) saw Herakles with her sacred hind captured and became angry. Herakles explained his situation and pleaded with the goddess and promised to return the hind. In the end she understood and allowed him to take the hind back to Mycenae, where she was brought alive to Eurystheus. Eurystheus wanted to add the hind to his collection, but remembering his promise to Artemis, Herakles knew that couldn't happen. He told Eurystheus to get the hind himself. Eurystheus was too slow, the hind too quick and escaped, running back to Artemis. Herakles kept his promise to Artemis, avoided her wrath and completed his third labor. All of this vexed Eurystheus and Hera greatly and they went out to think up another labor...

I had no idea some of these labors were so time consuming! Imagine chasing after a deer for over a year. That takes a lot of dedication, patience and persistence! 


Links of Interest:
Theoi
Wikipedia
Encyclopedia Mythica