Editing Hercules (section)

=== Labor 5 - Cleaning the Augean Stables in a Single Day ===
The Cleaning of the Augean Stables was the fifth of Hercules' labors, though the order can vary in different accounts. The Augean stables, which had not been cleaned for many years, were the home of the largest herd of cattle in the country and belonged to King '''Augeas''' (Αὐγείας, Augeías; /ɔːˈdʒiːəs/) of '''Elis''', a region in the western <u>Peloponnese</u>. King Augeas had immense herds of cattle that were divine in nature, sacred to '''Helios'''. These herds were so large that the stables in which they were kept had not been cleaned for over thirty years, accumulating an immense quantity of manure. The task seemed impossible to complete within a day, which was precisely why Eurystheus chose it, hoping to see Hercules fail. 

Hercules approached King Augeas without revealing his orders from Eurystheus, offering to clean the stables in a single day in exchange for a tenth of the king's cattle. Augeas agreed, not believing the feat was achievable; but Hercules' plan did not involve manual labor in the traditional sense. He tore down part of the stable walls and rerouted the rivers '''Alpheus''' (Ἀλφειός, Alpheiós; /ˈælfiəs/) and '''Peneus''' (Πηνειός, Pēneiós; /ˈpiniəs/) through the stables, washing away the years of accumulated waste. Upon completion of the task, Augeas reneged on his agreement, either because he had learned that Hercules had been ordered to do this or because he simply did not want to part with his cattle. Hercules left, promising to return and exact revenge. Eurystheus, upon learning that Hercules had sought payment for the labor, declared that this action would not count towards the completion of the Twelve Labors, as it was done for personal gain. Hercules would later return to Elis to wage war on King Augeas for his deceit. After defeating Augeas, Hercules installed Augeas' son, '''Phyleus''' (Φύλευς, Phýleus; /ˈfaɪliəs/), who had been exiled by his father for testifying on Hercules' behalf, as the new king.