Elis

Elis (Ἦλις) was the capital of the region also called Elis. Elis was founded by either Aëthlius, son of Aeolus and Protogeneia, or by Endymion, Aëthlius' son by Calyce.

Endymion had three sons – Epeius, Paeon and Aetolus. To decide which son would rule after him, a foot race was held. Epeius won, and immediately succeeded his father, who abdicated. The people of Elis were called Epeians. However, Epeius died childless (or without a son, for another story said that his daughter, named Hyrmina, married the Lapith king, Phorbas). Aetolus succeeded his brother. Aetolus did not rule Elis for very long. When Aetolus was banished for an accidental killing, the city was ruled by Eleius, son of Poseidon and Eurycyda, daughter of Endymion. The city and region was named after Eleius. The people also became known as the Eleians.

Later, Elis became involved in a war against Pelops, king of Pisa. Pelops became so powerful that the Eleians asked Phorbas, the Lapith king of Thessaly, to migrate to Elis and help them with the war. Phorbas' son Augeias became the next king of Elis.

Augeias was king during the time when Heracles was performing his twelve labours. Augeias was the owner of the largest herd of cattle. The fifth labour was cleaning Augeias' huge stable. Augeias had agreed to pay Heracles with a tenth of his cattle, if the hero could complete the task within a single day. However, Augeias refused to honour his promise to Heracles, after the hero successfully completed his task. Some years later, Heracles attacked Elis with his army, defeating Elis in a second invasion. (For genealogy, see the Aeolids in Elis.)