Tradition: Greek Mythology
Alternative Names: Thespian Lion, Ravine Lion
Category: Lion
The Myth
The Lion of Cithaeron was a monstrous lion that descended from Mount Cithaeron to prey upon cattle and terrorize the surrounding lands. It threatened the herds belonging to King Amphitryon and King Thespius, while other traditions associated it with King Megareus of Megara. The beast was so dangerous that it became the target of a hunt by heroes seeking to end its reign of terror.
When Heracles was eighteen years old, King Thespius tasked him with killing the lion. The hunt lasted fifty days, as Heracles pursued the beast through its territory. At last, he succeeded in slaying it. Heracles then took the lion’s hide for himself and wore its scalp as a helmet, making the slain predator’s own strength and fearsome appearance part of his heroic equipment. In this tradition, the Lion of Cithaeron was one of the great beasts Heracles overcame before his famous battle with the Nemean Lion.
Another account tells of the lion’s destruction by Alcathous. According to the people of Megara, the beast had killed many victims, including Euippus, the son of King Megareus. The king promised his daughter’s hand and succession to the throne to whoever could kill the monster. Alcathous accomplished the deed, winning the reward and eventually becoming king. In commemoration of the victory, he established sanctuaries dedicated to Artemis the Huntress and Apollo the Hunter.
Sources
“Lion of Cithaeron.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Accessed October 21, 2026. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lion_of_Cithaeron