526 THE GREEK SAGAS: GREEK LOCAL LEGENDS
Heracles, Assisted by Athena, Cleans the Augean Stables. Marble metope over the east porch
of the temple of Zeus at Olympia, ca. 460 B.C.; height 63 in. This local legend is given the
place of honor as the final one of the series of the Labors of Heracles in the metopes of the
temple of Zeus (see p. 114). Athena is helmeted and clothed in the Doric peplos, her left
hand resting on her shield. With her spear (now missing) she directs Heracles as he labors
to open (with a crowbar) the stables so that the river Alpheus can flush them clean. (From
metope no. 12 of the Temple of Zeus at Olympia. Courtesy of Alinari/Art Resource, New York.)THE NON-PELOPONNESIAN LABORS- The Cretan Bull This bull was one that Minos had refused to sacri-
fice to Poseidon. Heracles caught it and brought it back alive to Eurystheus. It
was then turned loose and eventually came to Marathon, where in time Theseus
caught and sacrificed it.