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Augean stables
Augean stables in Greek mythology, vast stables (belonging to King Augeas) which had never been cleaned; this was achieved (as the sixth of his Labours) by Hercules, who cleaned them in a day by diverting the River Alpheus to flow through them. The term is often used figuratively to refer to corruption or waste developed over a long period.
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ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "Augean stables." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 25 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "Augean stables." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (May 25, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-Augeanstables.html ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "Augean stables." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Retrieved May 25, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-Augeanstables.html |
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Augeas
Augeas , in Greek mythology, son of Helios and king of Elis. He kept his huge herds of cattle in the Augean Stables. As his sixth labor, Hercules cleaned the stables in one day by diverting the course of a river (possibly the Alpheus) through them. |
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Cite this article
"Augeas." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 25 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Augeas." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (May 25, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-Augeas.html "Augeas." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Retrieved May 25, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-Augeas.html |
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