AUGE IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY

Auge was a mythological princess of Ancient Greece, one who survived the best attempts of her father to get rid of her, and prospered to become Queen of Mysia. 

​Auge Daughter of Aleus

​Auge was the daughter of King Aleus of Tegea, and potentially Neaera, daughter of Pereus. As a royal princess, when of age, Auge would be elevated to the privileged position of priestess of Athena. 

Some tell of Aleus being told that his own grandson would kill him, and so Aleus obviously wished Auge to remain a virgin, something, that being a priestess of Athena, might have been ensured.  

​Auge and Heracles

​Heracles, the Greek demi-god though, came to Tegea, and in addition to his fighting prowess, Heracles was renowned for his lovers. Heracles would have his way with Auge; although whether she gave herself willingly, or was forced, depends upon the version being read.

Auge of course fell pregnant, and would, after the allotted time, give birth to a son named Telephus.

​The Fate of Auge

Some tell of Auge hiding Telephus in the Temple of Athena, this though was an act of sacrilege, and a famine descended upon Tegea. An Oracle would tell Aleus, of the cause, and finding the baby in the temple, Aleus had it taken to Mount Parthenion, where it was exposed, in the belief that he would die. 

Aleus then had a decision about what to do with his daughter. 

Some tell of Auge being given over to Naupilus so that she could be sold into slavery, others tell that Naupilus was supposed to drown Auge. Another version, tells of Auge, and Telephus being placed into a wooden chest, and set adrift on the high seas. 

Auge was of course not drowned, but would eventually find herself in Mysia; perhaps Nauplius sold her to King Teuthras, or perhaps the wooden chest washed ashore there.

Taken by her beauty, Teuthras would marry Auge, and the princess of Tegea became Queen of Mysia. 

Eventually, Telephus who had survived being exposed as a baby, made his way to Mysia, where he helped defeat Idas’ forces, which were attacking Teuthras’ kingdom. Auge would eventually recognise her son, and Teuthras then adopted Telephus, and made the son of Heracles and Auge his heir. 

Nothing more is said of Auge, but Telephus did become King of Mysia, and it was Telephus who was encountered by the Achaeans as they made their way to Troy. 

Pausanias would record that the tomb of Auge was still visible at Pergamus in Mysia when he travelled there. 

Contents

Colin Quartermain - Auge - 5th June 2026