THE DESCRIPTION

to purify the land of the dung, whether he was to receive a part of Elea as his reward or some other compensation. Augeas, however, refused to pay Hercules for his work, because he perceived that he had accomplished it through skill rather than physical labor. The eldest son of this Augeas, whose name was Phyleus, was cast out by his father because he told him he had acted unjustly toward a man who had benefited him. Augeas took care to fortify every place, in case Hercules should lead an army against Elis. Additionally, he entered into an alliance with Amarynceus and the sons of Actor. Amarynceus was a man skilled in warfare; his father was one Pyttius, a Thessalian who came from Thessaly to Elea. Augeas joined this Amarynceus with him in the government, and Actor and his sons, who were natives, were his associates in power. For Actor was the son of Phorbas, who was the son of Lapithas, and his mother was Hyrmine, the daughter of Epeus. This Actor also built a city in Elea which was called Hyrmina after him.

CHAP. II.

Hercules therefore warred upon Augeas, but did not perform any notable actions in this expedition, for the associates of Hercules were always repulsed through the boldness of the sons of Actor, who were then in the prime of their youth. But when the Corinthians announced the Isthmian games and the sons of Actor came to attend them, Hercules killed them by a ruse in Cleonæ. However, as the author of their death was unknown,