PHYLEUS IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY
Phyleus was a king of Elis in Greek mythology, arguably most famous for being the son of Augeas, although Phyleus was also a named hero, for he took part in the Calydonian Boar Hunt.
Phyleus Son of Augeas
Phyleus was the son of King Augeas of Elis, but although Augeas is a famous figure, the mother of Phyleus is not confirmed. It is though possible, that Phyleus had a number of siblings in the form of Agamede, Agasthenes and Epicasta.
Phyleus and Heracles’ Labours
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Heracles came to Elis, to undertake his fifth Labour, the cleansing of the Augean Stables. Heracles would ask Augeas for a tenth of his cattle as payment, if he could clean them in a single day, and Augeas believing it to be an impossible task agreed.
Heracles realised that he would be in need of a witness to his deed, and so he took Phyleus with him to the stables. Heracles would divert the course of two rivers, the Alpheus and Peneus, through the stables, cleaning them of all their accumulated dung. Heracles then went to Augeas for payment, but Augeas had been informed that Heracles was being tasked by Eurystheus to complete the Labour, and so he refused to pay; indeed, Augeas went further, and denied that he had ever offered payment in the first place. Augeas decided to take the matter to arbitration, deciding that the judges would rule in his favour. Phyleus though intervened, speaking out to confirm that payment was promised, and that Heracles had completed the task in one day. In a fit of rage, Augeas expelled Heracles and Phyleus from his kingdom. |
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Phyleus in Dulichium
Phyleus would depart with a group of Eleans for Dulichium, one of the islands of the Ionian Sea.
Phyleus would marry a woman named Eustyoche, by whom Phyleus became father to a son called Meges. Phyleus’ son would be famous for being a Suitor of Helen and also an Achaean leader during the Trojan War.
Phyleus would later marry a second time, this time to Timandra, a daughter of Tyndareus and Leda, who herself had previously been married to Echemus, King of Arcadia.
Phyleus would marry a woman named Eustyoche, by whom Phyleus became father to a son called Meges. Phyleus’ son would be famous for being a Suitor of Helen and also an Achaean leader during the Trojan War.
Phyleus would later marry a second time, this time to Timandra, a daughter of Tyndareus and Leda, who herself had previously been married to Echemus, King of Arcadia.
Phyleus Returns to Elis
The actions of Augeas had made Heracles an enemy of the king, and after he had completed his Labours, Heracles returned to Elis. After a battle with the Moliones, Heracles killed Augeas.
Heracles would recall Phyleus to Elis, and there Heracles placed the son of Augeas onto the throne. Phyleus then gave to Heracles the cattle he had previous earned.
Phyleus would be named as one of the hunters who gathered in Calydon to hunt the monstrous boar who ravaged Oeneus’ kingdom.
Heracles would recall Phyleus to Elis, and there Heracles placed the son of Augeas onto the throne. Phyleus then gave to Heracles the cattle he had previous earned.
Phyleus would be named as one of the hunters who gathered in Calydon to hunt the monstrous boar who ravaged Oeneus’ kingdom.
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Colin Quartermain - Phyleus - 5th June 2022