Eurystheus ordered Hercules to hunt the golden deer of Artemis as a dangerous task that would likely result in his death. The golden deer was protected by Artemis, the goddess of the hunt. After searching for a year, Hercules finally spotted the deer drinking from the Ladon River and captured it by pinning its legs together with an arrow without drawing blood. When Hercules returned with the deer, Artemis was angry until he explained that he did not harm the deer and would return it to her after showing it to Eurystheus, which pleased the goddess.