In the Twelve Labors of Hercules, what did Hercules demand from Augeas in return for cleaning the stables?
Answer
One-tenth of the cattle
In the Twelve Labors of Hercules, Hercules demanded one-tenth of Augeas’ cattle for cleaning the stables.
The payment detail appears in ancient versions of the Augean-stables story. Hercules offered to complete the apparently impossible task in exchange for a share of the herd. He then diverted the rivers Alpheus and Peneus through the stables, washing away the accumulated filth in a single day.
Augeas refused to honor the agreement, and the king’s son Phyleus testified that Hercules had been promised payment. Augeas responded by denying the deal and banishing Phyleus. The dispute later contributed to Hercules’ campaign against Augeas.
This episode is separate from the formal judgment that Eurystheus later used to reject the labor because Hercules had sought payment. The amount requested was not half the herd or a monetary reward, but one-tenth of the cattle.