Augean Stables

• In Greek Mythology the Augean Stables belonged to King Augeus of Elis who housed three thousand cattle inside the stables.

Twelve Labours of Hercules

• The Fifth Labour of the Twelve Labours of Hercules was to clean the Augean Stables in one day from 30 years of dung produced by the three thousand cattle.
• King Augeus promised Hercules one tenth of the cattle if he succeeded.
• Hercules achieved this by diverting two rivers through the stables, the River Alpheus and the River Peneus.
• When King Augeus refused to pay Hercules, he killed him and gave his kingdom to his son instead.