Heracles' third labor, as assigned by Eurystheus, was to capture the Golden Stag of Artemis. Heracles chased the extremely swift stag through Greece and neighboring lands for an entire year before capturing it using a trap net. When returning with the stag, Heracles encountered Artemis and Apollo and promised to return the sacred animal to the goddess. Eurystheus hoped capturing the stag would anger Artemis, but she forgave Heracles after he explained he was only doing so as part of his penance.