Argonautica Facts for Kids

Argonautica is a famous epic poem from ancient Greece. It was written by a poet named Apollonius of Rhodes in the 3rd century BC. This long poem tells the exciting story of Jason and his brave journey to find the legendary Golden Fleece.

The Story of Jason and the Golden Fleece
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The Story of Jason and the Golden Fleece

The Argonautica is one of the most important stories from ancient Greek mythology. It describes a grand adventure filled with heroes, monsters, and magic. The main character is Jason, a young hero who must complete a very dangerous task.

Why Jason Went on His Quest

Jason's journey began because of his evil uncle, Pelias. Pelias had taken over the kingdom of Iolcus, which rightfully belonged to Jason's father. When Jason grew up, he returned to Iolcus to claim his throne. Pelias, fearing a prophecy that warned of a man with one sandal, tricked Jason. He promised to give up the throne if Jason brought him the Golden Fleece. This fleece was a magical golden ram's hide, kept in a distant land called Colchis and guarded by a fearsome dragon.

Building the Argo and Gathering Heroes

Jason accepted the challenge. To help him on his quest, he gathered the greatest heroes of his time. These heroes were known as the Argonauts. Among them were famous figures like Heracles (Hercules), Orpheus (a musician), and Peleus (father of Achilles). Together, they built a magnificent ship named the Argo. The goddess Athena herself helped design the ship, and it even had a magical talking piece of wood from the Dodona oracle.

The Dangerous Journey to Colchis

The Argonauts faced many dangers on their long voyage across the seas. They sailed through unknown waters and encountered strange lands.

Challenges Along the Way

The Island of Lemnos: The Argonauts first stopped at Lemnos, an island populated only by women. They stayed there for a while before continuing their journey.
The Harpies and Phineus: They helped an old blind king named Phineus who was tormented by winged monsters called Harpies. In return, Phineus gave them advice on how to pass the dangerous Symplegades.
The Clashing Rocks: The Symplegades were two huge rocks that crashed together, crushing any ship that tried to pass. Following Phineus's advice, the Argonauts sent a dove through first. When the rocks opened again, they rowed with all their might and managed to pass safely, though the very end of their ship's stern was clipped.

Arrival in Colchis and the Trials

Finally, after many adventures, the Argonauts reached Colchis. This land was ruled by the powerful and cunning King Aeëtes. Aeëtes was unwilling to give up the Golden Fleece easily. He agreed to give it to Jason only if he completed several impossible tasks.

Jason's Impossible Tasks

Yoking Fire-Breathing Bulls: Jason had to yoke two fire-breathing bulls and plow a field with them.
Sowing Dragon's Teeth: He then had to sow the teeth of a dragon into the plowed field. From these teeth, an army of fierce warriors would sprout.
Defeating the Earth-Born Warriors: Jason had to defeat this army of warriors that sprang from the ground.

Medea's Help and the Golden Fleece

Jason seemed doomed, but he received unexpected help. King Aeëtes's daughter, Medea, was a powerful sorceress. The goddess Hera made Medea fall in love with Jason. Medea used her magic to help Jason complete all the impossible tasks. She gave him a magical ointment to protect him from the bulls' fire and advised him on how to trick the earth-born warriors into fighting each other. With Medea's help, Jason succeeded.

After completing the tasks, King Aeëtes still refused to give up the Golden Fleece. So, Medea led Jason to the sacred grove where the fleece was guarded by a sleepless dragon. She used her magic to put the dragon to sleep, allowing Jason to take the Golden Fleece.

The Return Journey

With the Golden Fleece in hand, Jason and Medea fled Colchis, pursued by King Aeëtes's fleet. Their return journey was also full of challenges and detours, as they tried to escape Aeëtes and find their way back to Greece. The poem describes their long and winding path home, facing more mythical creatures and difficult decisions.

The Legacy of the Argonautica

The Argonautica is a thrilling tale of courage, magic, and adventure. It explores themes of heroism, love, betrayal, and the challenges of a long journey. Apollonius of Rhodes's poem became a very important work, influencing many later writers and artists. It helped shape how people understood Greek myths and inspired countless stories about epic quests.

Images for kids

Jason and the Argonauts Arriving at Colchis, by Charles de La Fosse. This painting is in the Château de Versailles.
Map showing the route taken by the Argo.
Map interpreting the voyage according to Apollonius Rhodius' Argonautica, reprint of Ortelius' Parergon, 1624
In Medea, a conflicted Medea is shown mixing a potion for an incantation, c. 1867 by Frederick Sandys