Jason and the Argonauts and the Quest for the Golden Fleece

Origin of the Fleece: Athamas and Nephele Athamas was the king of Orchomenus His first wife was Nephele They had two children together – a boy, Phrixus, and a girl, Helle

Athamas decides to divorce Nephele and marry Ino, daughter of Cadmus. Ino wants to get rid of Phrixus and Helle. She comes up with an intricate plan involving the parching of grain, the fear of famine, and bribery of servants who claim to have visited an oracle. The result: Phrixus and Helle are to be sacrificed.

Nephele is a cloud goddess with special powers. She saves Phrixus and Helle by sending a golden Ram (that can fly) to save them. Helle falls off the Golden Ram and into the sea which is now called the Hellespont.

Phrixus survives. He ends up in Aea in the land of Colchis. Colchis is ruled by King Aeetes.

Golden Ram is Sacrificed Phrixus sacrifices the ram to the Gods upon arrival in Colchis in order to thank them for his rescue. He skins the ram and gives the fleece to King Aeetes as a gesture of good will.

King Aeetes comes from an ‘interesting’ family. Brother of Circe Pasiphae Father of Medea Chalciope Apsyrtus

Chalciope hears wedding bells. Aeetes marries Phrixus to his daughter, Calciope. Phrixus and Calciope have four sons. Then, worried by a prophecy about a Thracian stealing the fleece, Aeetes kills Phrixus.

Jason’s Background Jason was the son of Aeson, King of Iolcus Alcimede (or Polymede) was his wife They had several children, including a baby, Jason He is overthrown by his brother, Pelias, as Jason is born

Pelias Son of Poseidon and Tyro (wife of Cretheus). Has a brother named Neleus Adopted by Cretheus, assumed the throne upon Cretheus’ death.

Pelias Pelias, the half brother of Aeson, kills off Aeson’s family but either lets Aeson live as a private citizen, or puts him in prison.

Chiron Jason was smuggled out of Iolcus and sent to be raised by Chiron, a centaur that also trained: Asclepius, Ajax, Aeneas, Actaeon, Theseus, Achilles, Peleus, Telamon, Heracles, Oileus, and Phoenix. Chiron teaches Jason the ways of the hero.

Jason’s Return Jason grows up and decides to return to Iolcus to claim the throne which is rightfully his. On his way home Jason comes across Hera who is angry at Pelias for not honoring her. Jason carries her, disguised as an old woman, across a river. He loses a sandal in the crossing, but gains Hera’s support.

An Impossible Task Pelias, aware of a prophecy that he should be killed by a man wearing one sandal is startled to see Jason. However, instead of fighting Jason, Pelias comes up with a plan that he hopes will kill Jason. Pelias tells Jason he will give him the throne if he brings back the Golden Fleece. Jason accepts.

Preparing for a Journey Jason seeks out Argos, the greatest ship builder in Greece, to build a ship for his journey. Jason holds contests to assemble the greatest heroes of all Greece to accompany him on his quest.

The Argonauts There is much debate over who exactly was an Argonaut but there number that everyone seems to agree on is that there were 50 of them. Most Greek cities would claim to have an Argonaut as their founder.

The Crew Argos is the first to volunteer. Orpheus could charm all of nature with his music. The Argonauts rowed to his playing. Zetes and Calais, the sons of Boreas, the North Wind soon joined the crew. Pelieus, Father of Achilles. Telamon, Father of Ajax. Castor and Pollux, brothers of Helen of Troy.

The Crew (Continued) Lynceus (superhuman eyesight) and his brother Idas Tiphys (the helmsman) Euphemus (son of Poseidon who could run across water without even wetting his feet) Mopsus (prophetic powers). Idmon (prophetic powers – saw that he would die on the journey but went anyway). Periclymenus (could change into various animals) Acastus, son of Pelias, joins the quest at the last minute (Sent by his Father to make sure Jason would fail). Hercules, who is offered command but defers to Jason.

The Journey Begins. The Argonauts first stop is the island of Lemnos. Women were not thankful to Aphrodite She made them smell so bad their husbands cheated on them The women then killed all the men Jason and Argonauts repopulate Lemnos. Only Heracles does not participate in the repopulation efforts

Arctonessus (Bear Island) The Argonauts land at Arctonessus (Bear Island) near the home of King Cyzicus, who warmly welcomes them. There they come across the Gegenees, six-armed giants of Mysia (Bear Mountain). Heracles slays the giants with his bow and club.

A Horrible Twist of Fate. King Cyzicus sends them off with gifts. They sail away, but are blown back at night by a storm The Doliones, thinking they are being invaded by pirates, attack the Argonauts and Cyzicus is killed.

Cios The Argonauts land in Bithynia so Heracles can make a new oar. Heracles’ young friend Hylas goes to fetch some water He is abducted by water nymphs Heracles leaves the quest to search for Hylas and does not rejoin it.

King Amycus Next the Argonauts come to the Island kingdom of King Amycus, the son of Poseidon. Refused the Argonauts any food or water unless one of them fought with him. King Amycus was a skilled boxer. He would stop all visitors and force them to box with them. They usually died. Polydeuces kills Amycus. Argonauts are driven from the Island.

King Amycus Son of Poseidon and Melia. Married Theona and had a son named Mimas Refused the Argonauts any food or water unless one of them fought with him.

Salmydessus The Argonauts arrive in Salmydessus. Here they find that the blind prophet Phineus is plagued by Harpies – part bird and part woman. The harpies were punishment from Helios. Phineus promises to help the Argonauts if they will rid him of the curse of the Harpies. Zetes and Calais, the sons of the North wind, Boreas, drive away the Harpies. In exchange for their help, Phineus tells the Argonauts how to pass the Symplegades

The Symplegades Two rocks that crush ships Phineus tells Jason to send a dove in first, and if the dove makes it through, so can the Argo Euphemus, Poseidon’s son who could walk on water, releases the dove. The dove passes through with only its tail feathers being clipped. Some say that Poseidon or Athena helped the Argo pass, with only the stern (rear) getting clipped. The Symplegades remained fixed thereafter.

Side Notes The Argonauts visit a couple little places not worth mentioning, but a few things happen: Tiphys the helmsman and Idmon the seer die. Idmon had seen that he would die on the voyage. They avoid the Amazons at Themiscyra On the Island of Ares, they meet Phrixus’ sons, who tell them about Colchis and drive off a flock of birds who could shoot their feathers like arrows

Arriving in Colchis King Aeetes greets the Argonauts and introduces Jason to his daughter Medea. Medea is a priestess of Hecate, Goddess of witchcraft. Jason reveals to Aeetes his quest. Aeetes tell Jason he may claim the Fleece if he passes several challenges: He must yoke fire-breathing oxen and plow a field He must plant dragon teeth in the ground He must defeat the soldiers which spring from the ground Then defeat the serpent that guards the Golden Fleece

Medea’s Help Medea falls in love with Jason and decides to help him. Jason, with the protection of an ointment provided by Medea, yokes the fire-breathing bulls and plows the field

The Dragon-teeth Men (Spartoi) The teeth originated from the Colchian Dragon. They would turn into men called “Spartoi” once sown in the ground Jason threw a stone in their midst. They fought amongst themselves, and he kills the rest.

The Colchian Dragon A child of Typhon and Echidna, the giant serpent that guarded the Golden Fleece was said to have never slept or rested. The monster was said to have a crest and 3 tongues or heads depending on the storyteller. Jason defeated the Colchian Dragon with the help of Medea and Orpheus. Medea put the dragon to sleep with potions. Orpheus kept it asleep by playing on his lyre.

The Argonauts begin their Return Voyage Know this King Aeethes is pursuing the Argo, Medea chops up her brother, Apsyrtus. The Colchians must stop to gather the pieces, and the Argo escapes.

The Island of Circe The Argo stops at the Island of Circe, Medea’s aunt where they are purified for the murder of Apsyrtus.

More Dangers The Argo must pass the island of the Sirens However, Orpheus plays music so beautiful that the Sirens stop to hear his song, allowing the Argo to pass unharmed. The Argonauts pass Scylla and Charybdis unscathed with the help of Thetis ( the prophet).

Scheria, land of the Phaeacians Jason, Medea and the Argonauts find a fleet of Colchians waiting for them in Phaeacia Arete, the queen, persuades her husband, King Alcinous, not to hand over Medea to the Colchians The Colchians settle in Corcyra rather than return to the wrath of Aeetes in Colchis

Island of Talos Talos, a great bronze giant protected the island. Medea tells Jason that the only way to defeat Talos was to remove the plug in his heel

Return to Iolcus Jason returns to Iolcus and shows Pelias the treasure. When it is clear Pelias will not return the kingdom to Jason, Medea hatches a plan.

Medea’s Horrible Plan Pelias and his daughters watch as Medea chops up an old ram, puts it in her magic pot, and brings it forth young again. Medea convinces Pelias’ daughters to make him young. In the middle of the night the daughters, accompanied by Medea, chop up Pelias. When they turn to put the pieces in the pot, they find that Medea has vanished.

The Aftermath Jason and Medea are driven from Iolcus for this horrible act and they eventually go to Corinth. They have two children, but Jason later receives an offer to marry Glauce, daughter of King Creon. Jason decides to marry Glauce and to put Medea into exile. Medea, despondent and vengeful, plots a dreadful act.

Medea’s Revenge and Finale Medea sends Glauce a golden dress and coronet, which she poisons. Both King Creon and Glauce die as a result. Medea also kills two sons she had with Jason. Destraught Jason watches as Medea flees their home in a chariot pulled by two dragons. In Corinth Jason dies alone, without family or friends, when a piece of the rotting Argo falls on him.