Argonauts
Origins and Mythology
The Argonauts were a band of heroes in Greek mythology who, in the years before the Trojan War, accompanied Jason to Colchis (modern-day western Georgia) in his quest to find the Golden Fleece. Their name comes from their ship, the Argo, which was named after its builder, Argus. They were sometimes called Minyans, after a prehistoric tribe in the area.
The Quest for the Golden Fleece
Jason's uncle Pelias had usurped the throne of Iolcus in Thessaly, which rightfully belonged to Jason's father Aeson. Pelias lived in constant fear of losing what he had taken so unjustly. He kept Jason's father in prison and would certainly have murdered Jason at birth. But Aeson's wife Alcimede had sent her son to the centaur Chiron for safekeeping and for education. When Jason turned 20, he was sent to reclaim his inheritance. Upon returning to Iolcus, Jason was confronted by Pelias who proposed that Jason undertake an expedition to find the Golden Fleece, which was believed to be located in the land of Colchis.
The Argo and its Crew
The Argo was constructed by the shipwright Argus, and its crew were specially protected by the goddess Hera. The best-known of the Argonauts included the Boreads (sons of Boreas, the North Wind) who could fly, Heracles, Philoctetes, Peleus, Telamon, Orpheus, Castor and Pollux, Atalanta, Meleager, Euphemus the son of Poseidon and himself a sea-god. Not all of these people were present for the same reasons, nor did they remain with the expedition for the same length of time.
Journey to Colchis
The journey to Colchis was a long and arduous one. Along the way, the Argonauts encountered numerous perils. They battled Harpies, clashed with the clashing rocks, and faced the dragon that guarded the Golden Fleece. With the help of the sorceress Medea, who had fallen in love with Jason, they were able to overcome these obstacles and successfully retrieve the Golden Fleece.
Return to Iolcus and Aftermath
The return journey was even more difficult, with the Argonauts having to navigate the uncharted waters of the Black Sea, face the wrath of Medea's father, King Aeetes of Colchis, and deal with the treachery of their own crew members. Despite these challenges, they eventually returned to Iolcus, where Jason confronted Pelias and reclaimed the throne. However, the adventures of the Argonauts did not end there, as they were pursued by Aeetes, faced further challenges, and were eventually scattered, each to meet his own fate.
Legacy and Influence
The story of the Argonauts has been told and retold in various forms and media, from ancient pottery and sculpture to modern films and video games. It has influenced countless other tales of heroic quests and adventures and continues to be a popular subject in literature and art.