The story is Jason is a tale of deceit and trickery, and is a great example of how the gods played with mortals for their own gain.
Main Gods/Goddesses Involved:
Main Humans Involved:
Jason
Medea
Aeetes
The Argonauts
Other Important Characters:
Most Famous Scenes:
Setting:
Much of this story takes place on the Argo as these brave warriors travel
to find the fleece. After landing, the main story takes place in Colchis, then
back home in Iolcus.
Story:
In order to claim his birthright as king of Iolcus, Jason had to bring back
the golden fleece from the city of Colchis. The fleece was owned by King Aeetes,
and was guarded by a serpent that never slept. Jason gathered a group of heroes
to set sail and retrieve the magical fleece. Among these heroes were Hercules,
Theseus, Orpheus, Castor and Pollux. They set sail on the ship Argo, and thus
called themselves the Argonauts.
The Argonauts encountered many dangers along the way. Some of their brave deeds include rescuing an oracle king from the harpies who tormented him, and escaping a clan of women who killed all their men. As they neared Colchis, they came to an inlet where two giant rocks stood on each side of the way through. According to legend, these rocks would close together and crush any ship that came through. Jason sent a dove through the rocks, and they closed together on it. The dove escaped, but its tail was pinched as it flew out the other end. Taking this as a sign from the gods, Jason went through the rocks. The Argo escaped, but the tail of the Argo was crushed.
Upon reaching Colchis, Jason met with King Aeetes. The king was reluctant to give up his fleece, but he agreed that Jason could have it if he passed the test that would be set before him. The test was for Jason to plant a field of dragon teeth. He was to plow the field with bulls that breath fire. The dragon teeth would then grow into an army of men, and he must defeat them. The king's daughter Medea fell in love with Jason. Being a sorceress, she offered to help him pass the test. She gave Jason a lotion that would protect him from the bulls' flames. She also told Jason to throw a rock into the center of the army that rose from the dragon teeth. He did so and the men turned and fought each other. After the test, Medea again used her sorcery to tame the snake that guarded the golden fleece.
Jason returned to his home with the fleece, and was crowned king.
Variations:
Some versions of this story say that Jason did not gain his throne so easily.
Upon returning with the fleece, he still was not given the throne. In anger,
Medea tricked the king's daughters into killing him so Jason could take the
throne. After he was crowned king, Jason married another princess instead of
Medea. Angry, Medea then killed the princess the night before the wedding. Jason
was cursed for his ingratitude, and Medea was cursed for her vengeful heart.
Both were reduced to wandering across the land for the rest of their days.