Further Resources: The Augean Stables

• Read the story of Hercules and the Stables of Augeas, as told by Apollodorus, the ancient writer who collected legends in his mythology handbook, the Library.

• The Temple of Zeus at Olympia was decorated with sculptures illustrating the Labors of Hercules. Look at the sculpture catalog entry for the Augean Stables metope.

• Find out more about the region of Elis, where Augeas ruled.

• See a catalog entry and more pictures of the Boston vase with cows led to sacrifice, the Munich vase with Nike giving water to a bull, or the Mount Holyoke vase with Athena pouring Hercules a drink.

• Read some observations by Plato on how shepherds tend their animals.

• The ancient writer Xenophon wrote a book about horsemanship. Look at his description of how best to organize a stable for horses.

• Xenophon also contrasted obedient herds, which are happy to follow the demands of their keeper, with unruly humans, who always dislike obeying rulers.

Go back to the Augean Stables page.

This exhibit is a subset of materials from the Perseus Project digital library and is copyrighted. Please send us your comments.