Augeas

Mosaico Trabajos Hércules (M.A.N. Madrid) 05

Augeas (or Augeias, less commonly Augias), is a figure in Greek mythology, famous for his extremely dirty stables, which were cleaned by Heracles (Hercules) as one of his twelve labors. Augeas was the king of Elis, a region in the western part of the Peloponnese, and he was known for possessing vast herds of cattle. The cleaning of Augeas' stables, which had not been cleaned for over thirty years, was considered an impossible task, yet Heracles accomplished it in a single day by rerouting the rivers Alpheus and Peneus to wash through the stables.

Mythology

According to the myth, Augeas was the son of Helios, the sun god, or Poseidon, and either Iphiboë or Nausidame. There are variations in the myth regarding his parentage, but his wealth in livestock is a consistent theme. The stables of Augeas were said to house thousands of cattle, and the accumulation of manure was vast.

Heracles approached Augeas without revealing his divine mandate to clean the stables. He offered to complete the task in one day, in exchange for a tenth of Augeas' cattle. Augeas agreed, not believing the task was achievable. However, Heracles rerouted the rivers, cleansing the stables thoroughly. When Augeas learned that Heracles had been ordered to perform the task as part of his penance, he refused to honor their agreement, leading to further conflict between them.

This labor of Heracles was not only a testament to his strength and ingenuity but also highlighted themes of purification and the idea that no task is too daunting with divine assistance or clever thinking.

Cultural Impact

The tale of Augeas and his stables has had a lasting impact on Western culture, often cited as an example of an overwhelming challenge that can be overcome with innovative solutions. The term "Augean stables" has come to mean a condition of extreme filth or corruption that seems impossible to clean.

In Literature and Art

The myth of Augeas and the cleaning of his stables has been depicted in various works of art and literature throughout history, symbolizing the idea of cleansing and renewal. It serves as a powerful metaphor for overcoming seemingly insurmountable obstacles through wit and resourcefulness.

See Also

• Heracles
• Labors of Hercules
• Greek mythology
• Elis