The document summarizes the fifth labor of Hercules, which was to clean the Augean stables in a single day. This task was meant to degrade Hercules, as the amount of filth built up over years made it seem impossible. However, Hercules succeeded by diverting two rivers through the stables to wash away the dirt. When Augeas refused to honor his promise to pay Hercules for completing the task, Hercules killed Augeas and gave the kingdom to his son instead. Some say this labor did not truly count as Hercules let the rivers do the work of cleaning.

1. 5. CLEAN THE AUGEAN STABLES IN A SINGLE DAY 5. THE FIFTH LABOUR OF HERCULES NAME: Sonia USERNAME: Germán Quintana

2. The fifth of the Twelve Labours set to Hercules was to clean the Augean stables in a single day. The reasoning behind this being set as a labour was twofold: firstly, all the previous labours exalted Heracles in the eyes of the people and this one would surely degrade him; secondly, as the livestock were a divine gift to Augeas they were immune from disease and thus the amount of dirt and filth amassed in the uncleaned stables made the task surely impossible. However, Heracles succeeded by rerouting the rivers Alpheus and Peneus to wash out the filth.

3. Augeas was irate because he had promised Heracles one-tenth of his cattle if the job was finished in one day. He refused to honour the agreement, and Heracles killed him after completing the tasks and gave his kingdom to Augeas' son, Phyleus, who had been exiled for supporting Heracles against his father. The success of this labour was ultimately discounted because the rushing waters had done the work of cleaning the stables and because Hercules was paid.

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