Real wild boars can be savage creatures, but only if they're threatened. The legendary Erymanthian boar, however, had a supernatural taste for humans. This huge beast was supposedly the biggest pig that ever lived. It charged down the side of a mountain every day to gore victims with giant tusks until Hercules, the Greek hero, was sent to capture it.
Super Sharp: The mammoth canine teeth in the Erymanthian boar's upper and lower jaw were upturned and stuck far out of the beast's mouth. These tusks were extra thick and ended in sharp points so they could slice through victims with ease.
One Big Boar: The Erymanthian boar stood nearly as tall as an adult person. When this behemoth hog went on a rampage, it crashed into victims with its one-ton body and smashed their bones.
Boar-ing![]
Even the biggest pigs would be not match for the boar.
As one of his 12 great labors, Hercules was ordered by Eurystheus, King of the ancient cities of Mycenae and Tiryns, to capture the Erymanthian boar. Hercules traveled far to find the beast, and arrived at Mt. Erymanthus in winter, when there was a thick cover of snow on the ground. Hercules found the creature's den when he heard its loud snores, crept up behind the sleeping boar and let out a loud yell. Scared out of its sleep, the boar floundered in the snow, allowing the hero to capture it alive.
Man-Eating Pig: Real boars have blunt, flat teeth that are good for munching on leaves and roots. The Erymanthean boar, however, had pointed incisors that were useful for chewing up a different kind of food-people.
Jarring: Eurystheus never believed Hercules could subdue the boar. When he heard the hero was returning with the live beast, the king hid inside a giant jar, too terrified to face the powerful Hercules or the boar.
An Ungodly Boar[]
Originally, the Greek god Apollo had turned himself into a giant boar to seek revenge on Aphrodite, a goddess who had blinded his son, Erymanthus. Apollo used this beastly form to trample and gore Aphrodite's boyfriend, Adonis. Afterward, Apollo returned to Mount Olympus. The Erymanthian boar was born from his rage, and continued to ravage the countryside.
Trading Card[]
Trivia[]
- On its trading card, 'which' is misspelled as 'whcih'.