Augeias of Elis facts for kids
King Augeias of Elis was a famous character from Greek mythology. He was known as a very rich king because he owned huge herds of cattle. Some stories say his father was Helios, the sun-god, while others say it was Poseidon, the god of the sea. King Augeias had a son named Phyleos.
Contents
Who Was King Augeias?
King Augeias ruled over the land of Elis in ancient Greece. He was incredibly wealthy, mainly because he had so many cattle. These animals were a big part of his kingdom's riches.
The Famous Stables
Despite his wealth, King Augeias is most famous for one very messy thing: his cattle stables. These stables were incredibly dirty. They had not been cleaned in many years, and the mess was enormous!
Herakles' Big Task
Cleaning these super dirty stables became one of the twelve difficult tasks, or "Labors," given to the hero Herakles. This specific task is often called the "Augeian Stables" labor. Herakles was challenged to clean them in just one day.
The Unfair Deal
Herakles made a deal with King Augeias. If he cleaned the stables, he would get a reward. Herakles cleverly used two rivers, the Alpheios and Peneios, to wash away all the dirt. But after the job was done, King Augeias refused to pay Herakles what he had promised.
A Son's Brave Act
Herakles took King Augeias to court to settle the dispute. Surprisingly, King Augeias's own son, Phyleos, spoke up against his father. Phyleos told the court that his father had indeed promised Herakles a reward. Because of this, King Augeias became very angry. He sent both his son Phyleos and Herakles away from his land.
What Happened Next?
Later, Herakles returned to Elis to get revenge on King Augeias for breaking his promise. Herakles fought against Augeias and eventually defeated him. After this, Herakles is said to have started the famous Olympic Games and built a special place for worship, called a sanctuary, in Olympia, near Elis.
See Also
- The Labors of Herakles
- Greek mythology
