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In Greek mythology, Augeas (or
Augeias), whose name means "bright", was King of Elis and husband of
Epicaste. He is best known for his stables, which housed the single greatest number
of cattle in the country and had never been cleaned until the great hero Heracles
arrived. The cleaning of the Augean stables was to be the fifth of Heracles'
Twelve Labors. Heracles was required to do it in one day; he succeeded by
rerouting the rivers Alpheus and Peneus to
wash the filth out. Augeas was irate at the success because he had promised Heracles one-tenth of his land if he succeeded in one
day. He refused to honor the agreement and was killed by Heracles, who then gave his kingdom to Phyleus, Augeas' son, who had been exiled for supporting Heracles against his father.
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