The Prophecy and the Call to Adventure
The story begins in the ancient kingdom of Iolcus, where the rightful heir, Jason, is robbed of his throne by his treacherous uncle, King Pelias. The gods, ever watchful, set Jason on a path to reclaim his birthright. Pelias, knowing of a prophecy that warns him to beware a man wearing one sandal, is struck with fear when Jason arrives at his court missing a sandal, having lost it crossing a river. Seizing the opportunity to rid himself of Jason, Pelias sets him an impossible task: retrieve the Golden Fleece from the distant land of Colchis, a perilous journey few could survive.
The Assembly of Heroes—The Argonauts
Undaunted, Jason gathers Greece’s greatest heroes to aid him. Among them are Heracles (Hercules), Orpheus the bard, Atalanta the swift huntress, Castor and Pollux (twin sons of Zeus), and the cunning Argus, the shipwright who constructs their mighty vessel, the Argo. The sea god Poseidon blesses the ship, and the Argonauts set sail, facing numerous trials along the way.
Trials and Tribulations at Sea
- The Isle of Lemnos: The Argonauts arrive on an island inhabited only by warrior women who had slain their unfaithful husbands. Queen Hypsipyle welcomes them, and Jason spends time with her before continuing the journey.
- The Harpies’ Curse: At the court of the blind prophet Phineus, Jason learns of his destiny. In return, he helps Phineus by driving away the Harpies, foul creatures that torment the old seer by snatching his food.
- The Clashing Rocks (Symplegades): The Argonauts must pass through a treacherous waterway where massive cliffs smash together, destroying any ship that dares cross. With divine help, they send a dove ahead; as it escapes with only its tail feathers lost, they row at full speed and make it through just in time.
The Kingdom of Colchis and Medea’s Sorcery
Upon reaching Colchis, Jason petitions King Aeëtes for the Golden Fleece. The king, unwilling to part with it, sets Jason three deadly tasks:
- Yoke the fire-breathing bulls: Medea, the king’s daughter and a powerful sorceress—falls in love with Jason and gives him an enchanted ointment to protect him from the flames.
- Sow the dragon’s teeth: Once scattered, these teeth sprout into an army of skeletal warriors. Medea advises Jason to throw a stone among them, causing them to turn on one another in confusion.
- Defeat the ever-watchful dragon: The final challenge is the dragon that never sleeps, guarding the fleece. Medea lulls it into a deep slumber with a potion, allowing Jason to seize the fleece.
The Escape and Betrayal
Jason and Medea flee Colchis, but Aeëtes gives chase. To delay him, Medea commits a dark act—she dismembers her own brother, Apsyrtus, and casts his body into the sea. The king halts his pursuit to gather his son’s remains, allowing Jason to escape.
Return to Iolcus and the Fall of Pelias
Upon their triumphant return, Jason presents the Golden Fleece, but Pelias refuses to yield the throne. Enraged, Medea enacts vengeance, tricking Pelias’ daughters into killing their own father by convincing them they could restore his youth through a twisted ritual. Jason’s path to kingship is secured, but his fate will soon turn dark.
