Use itemize{} in table

Question

I want to use \itemize{} in a table. Here is a fairly simple set up (itemize{} taken from here: http://www.golatex.de/wiki/itemize)

\documentclass{scrartcl}
\usepackage[ngerman]{babel}
\usepackage[T1]{fontenc}
\usepackage{lmodern}
\usepackage{blindtext}


\begin{document}
\begin{table}[]
\centering
\caption{My caption}
\label{my-label}
\begin{tabular}{lll}
 &  &  \\
 & \begin{tabular}[c]{@{}l@{}}\begin{itemize}\\ \item Erstes Element,\begin{itemize},\item Nächste Ebene,\item Item in 2. Ebene,\end{itemize}\\ \item Zweites Element\\ \item Drittes Element,\begin{itemize},\item Die zweite Ebene,\begin{itemize},\item Die dritte Ebene,\item Item in 3 Ebene,\end{itemize},\item Item in 2. Ebene,\item Item in 2. Ebene,\end{itemize}\\ \item Viertes Element\\ \item Fünftes Element\\ \end{itemize}\end{tabular} &  \\
 &  & 
\end{tabular}
\end{table}
\end{document}

That does not compile. However, when I include the \itemize{} list "raw", not in a table

\documentclass{scrartcl}
\usepackage[ngerman]{babel}
\usepackage[T1]{fontenc}
\usepackage{lmodern}
\usepackage{blindtext}

\begin{document}
\begin{itemize}
\item Erstes Element
    \begin{itemize}
        \item Nächste Ebene
        \item Item in 2. Ebene
    \end{itemize}
\item Zweites Element
\item Drittes Element
    \begin{itemize}
        \item Die zweite Ebene
            \begin{itemize}
                \item Die dritte Ebene
                \item Item in 3 Ebene
            \end{itemize}
        \item Item in 2. Ebene
        \item Item in 2. Ebene
    \end{itemize}
\item Viertes Element
\item Fünftes Element
\end{itemize}

\end{document}

It works. Why?