ARGONAUTS

                  

 

 

In Greek mythology, the Argonauts were heroes who sailed with Jason on his quest for the Golden Fleece.  Their journey took them through numerous adventures requiring the help of many different gods.

According to some sources, one of the argonauts was a woman, the huntress Atlanta.  Jason was the son of Aeson the King of Iolcus.  When Aeson was overthrown by his brother Pelias., he sent Jason to be raised by the wise centaur Chiron.  Later Jason returned to Iolcus to claim the throne.  Pelias agreed to give it to him if he found and brought the Golden  Fleece, which Pelias knew was an impossible task.

 

The Golden Fleece was the hide of a golden ram sent by the gods to save Phrixus and Helle, two royal children of Iolcus whose life was threatened by their stepmother.  As the ram carried them to safety, Helle fell into the sea and drowned.  The area where she fell became known as Hellespont. Phrixus reached Colchis safely.  There his sacrificed the ram to Hera, his protector.  The fleece was hung on a tree in a sacred place guarded by a serpent that never slept.

 

Jason ordered a ship, the Argo, to be built and sent messengers throughout Greece asking them to join him in his quest of the Golden Fleece.  After assembling a group of 50 heroes Jason set off.   The Argonauts’ first adventure was at Lemnos, which was populated only by women.  A revolt between husbands and wives, the women had killed all the men.   The women received the argonauts with great hospitality and the heroes began to forget their quest.  One of the Argonauts stood firm, however.  This man, Hercules,  was known for his strength and he persuaded the Argonauts to return to the ship. 

 

In another adventure, Hercules defended the ship against six-armed giants, who attacked while the others were on land.  Later during the fight, Hercules broke his oar. While cutting wood for a new oar, his squire was kidnapped by a water nymph. Hercules went in quest of the boy and eventually the boy was left behind by the Argonauts.

 

   The Argonauts then stopped to see Phineus, the blind king Thynice.  Phineus was a prophet and the travelers needed advice on how to proceed.

 

Pheneus agreed to help them if they would get rid of the Harpies, a fierce half-woman half-bird creature who stole and spoiled his food.  Jason ordered a feast to be prepared.  When the Harpies arrived to ruin the feast, two of the Argonauts, Calais, and Zetes, winged sons of Boreas, the North Wind, pursued them.  Eventually, Zeus sent a message that the Harpies should be spared but that should leave Pheneus in peace.   When the heroes stopped at the land of the Babryces, king Amylcus challenged them as he did with all visitors, to fight to the death.  Pollux the son of Zeus took up the challenge and killed Amylkus.    

 

After reaching the entrance to the Black Sea, the Argonauts had to go through the Symplegades. These were huge rocks that crashed together and destroyed any ship that tried to sail through them.  Following Pheneus’ advice, the Argonauts released a dove and watched its course as it fled between the rocks.  The dove made the passage, losing only a single feather. 

 

As soon as the rocks began to come apart, the Argonauts pulled hard on their oars, following the path of the dove. When they had almost passed through, a great wave held them back.  At that point, the goddesses Athena and Hera and the ship made it to safety. Forever after the Symplegades remained separated. 

PLEASE DO BE VACCINATED AGAINST COVID - 19 SO THAT YOUR BELOVED FAMILIES, FRIENDS, THE WORLD AND YOU REMAIN HEALTHY AND SAFE