Jason & Argonaut Campaign
His story Jason and Argonauts is one of the most famous accounts of Greek mythology. At its centre lies the mission to acquire Golden Fleece From the far Colchis.
The Golden Fleece, however, originally came from a mythical animal: Golden Ram, known as Golden-haired Aries. As is often the case in Greek mythology, there is a special myth for both Golden Kriari and his famous Deras.
«…και όλη εκείνη την ημέρα και καθ’ όλη τη διάρκεια της άπνοης νύχτας κωπηλατούσαν ακατάπαυστα. Δούλευαν σαν βόδια που οργώνουν το υγρό χώμα. Ο ιδρώτας ρέει από τα πλευρά και το λαιμό τους· τα μάτια τους γυρίζουν και κοιτάζουν λοξά από κάτω από το ζυγό· καυτές ανάσες βγαίνουν βροντερά από τα στόματά τους· και όλη την ημέρα εργάζονται, σκάβοντας με τα πόδια τους στο χώμα. Έτσι, το πλήρωμα του Άργου όλη τη νύχτα όργωνε το αλμυρό νερό με τα κουπιά του»
— Apollonios rodios
The beginning of the history of the Golden Ram
The story of the Golden Creary does not begin in Colchis, but in its kingdom Bisaltia, on the north coast of the Aegean Sea. The king of the region was Visalt, her son Gaia (earth view) and Sun (Helium god). From his name they took their name both the kingdom and the people of Visalton.
The most important element of the mythological tradition around Visaltis was his beautiful daughter, the TheophaneThe fame of her beauty spread throughout the ancient world and a multitude of suitors arrived in Visaltia in order to marry her.
Theophanes and Poseidon
As often happens in Greek mythology, extraordinary beauty did not attract only mortals. In the case of Theophanes, he who desired her was himself Poseidon. To be able to acquire it, God kidnapped her and transferred her to the island Krumissa.
The birth of the Golden Creed
The disappearance of Theophane caused a stir in Visaltia, and her suitors began looking for her. To mislead them, Neptune transformed himself into ram, while Theophanes transformed her into eweAt the same time, the inhabitants of Krumissa were converted into cattle and sheep.
When the suitors arrived on the island, they found neither Theophane nor people. But they remained there and began slaughtering the animals to survive. Then Neptune transformed them into wolves.
Thus, God was able to meet with Theophane and a unique creature was born from this short union: Golden Aries, the Golden-haired Aries.
The Golden Ram as a savior
Later, Golden Ram was to play a decisive role in another myth. The narrative is transferred to BoeotiaWhere the king was Athoramas, son of AeolusAthamadas had married the cloud Nephele, with which he had two children: Frixos and Ellie.
But the marriage didn't last. Athamadas left Nefeli for her Fibre, Cadmus' daughter. Nefeli left Boeotia, leaving her children to their father.
According to legend, drought It hit the country. — either because of Nefeli's departure or because of the scheme of the Fibre. Ino, jealous of her stepchildren, planned Frixus' death.
With bribes, he convinced Athamada that the oracle required the sacrifice of Frixus to solve the drought.
The flight of Frixus and Ellie
Nefeli, however, had not abandoned her children. Before the sacrifice progresses, he sent the Golden Ram To save them.
Golden Kriari had supernatural qualities — In addition to his gold wool, he could also fly. So he took Frixos and Ellie on his back and flew away from Boeotia, bound for ColchisTo the ends of the known world.
During the long flight, Ellie, weaker, failed to hold on and fell into the sea, in the narrow passage to the Black Sea. From that point the passage was named Hellespont (now Dardanelles).
The Death of the Golden Creed
Frixos arrived safely in Colchis. The Golden Kriari, who had the ability to Speak, revealed to him what he had to do: sacrifice it in his honor Poseidon.
Frixos obeyed. The Golden Kriari was sacrificed and so Frixos acquired the Golden FleecePoseidon honored the creature by transforming it into the constellation Crius.
The Golden Fleece in Colchis
Frixos offered the Golden Fleece to the king of Colchis, EagleHe, impressed, gave him his daughter as his wife Halkiope.
The Deras was placed in an honorary position, hung in one oak in his sacred grove AresSoon, however, a prophecy stated that the Eagle would retain his authority only as long as the Deras remained there. Fearing, he ordered that every stranger who approached Colchis be put to death.
The Search for the Golden Fleece
In Iolco, the Jason He claimed the throne from his uncle, PeliaPelia promised to surrender power only if Jason brought the Golden Fleece.
With her help Hera and Athena, constructed the Argo and gathered the greatest heroes of the time. Despite the dangers, the Argonauts reached Colchis.
Aet set Jason impossible trials, but with her help MedeaJason got over them. Medea slept with the dragon guarding the Deras and Jason grabbed it.
The return and fortune of the Fleece
The Argonauts returned to Iolko, but Pelia broke his promise and was eventually killed by his own daughters. Jason never became king and was exiled.
The final fate of the Golden Fleece is not clearly mentioned in ancient sources. Late myths paid him back therapeutic and magical properties, although in ancient times it was considered primarily symbol of royal power and priceless treasure.
Who Jason was?
- Jason is one of the most important heroes of Greek mythology and its protagonist Argonaut CampaignThe first great collective heroic mission.
Unlike heroes like Hercules or Achilles, Jason:
not based only on physical strength
acts as leader and coordinator
represents the hero of cooperation and strategy
Origin and childhood
Father: Aeson, legal king of Iolkou
MotherAlcimed
Uncle: Pelia
Pelia overturned Aeson and grabbed the throne. To protect himself, Jason:
sent to Mount Pelion
raised by Centaur Chiron
There he learned:
Education
martial arts
ethical values
The oracle and the «a sandal»
Usage warned Pelia:
«Fear the man with one sandal».
Jason, returning to Iolko, lost a sandal crossing river to help an elderly woman (Hera disguised).
The oracle is activated.
The Mission of the Golden Fleece
Pelia assigned Jason a seemingly impossible feat:
???? to bring the Golden Fleece by Colchis.
The Golden Fleece symbolizes:
royal power
divine favor
the knowledge and wealth of the East
Argo and Argonauts
For the mission the ship was built Argo, work of Argos with divine guidance of Athena.
Argonauts (chosen heroes):
Hercules
Orpheus
Beaver & Polydeuk
Orders
Melegar
Asker & Kalais
The Argonaut Campaign is the first team heroic epic.
Stages of the Argonaut Campaign
Lime
Women's Island without men.
Symbolism: temptation & disorientation of the hero.
Dolions
Tragic battle by misunderstanding.
It shows the cost of ignorance.
Phineas and Harpies
Phineas teaches the Argonauts how to pass Collisions Stones.
Supplements
The moving rocks symbolize:
the limit of unknown
the passage to maturity
Colchis and Medea
The Colchis was ruled by Eagle, Guardian of the Fleece.
To obtain it, Jason had to:
kneading bulls with bronze legs
sow dragon teeth
face armed warriors
- MedeaHe fell in love with Jason and helped him with magic.
Acquiring the Golden Fleece
With the help of Medea:
The dragon has fallen asleep
The Deras was acquired
The Argonauts escaped.
This act shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Communities. ethical complexityAs well as including treason and magic.
The return and fall of Pelia
Medea avenged Pelia by leading his daughters to kill him.
However:
Jason did not regain the throne
exiled to Corinth
Jason’s tragic conclusion
Jason:
He left Medea
tried to marry another woman.
Medea:
He was avenged horribly
He ruined the family.
Jason died alone under her ruins. Slow.
Symbolization of the Argonaut Campaign
The Argonaut Campaign symbolizes:
the journey of knowledge
collective effort
the price of treason
the conflict of reason and passion
Educational value
Ideal theme for:
comparison of heroic standards
teaching cooperation
analysis of ethical dilemmas
connection of myth and geography