Jason and the Golden Fleece
A Dangerous Voyage with the Argonauts
Jason should have been king of Iolcos, but his uncle Pelias had stolen the throne. Pelias was nervous because an oracle warned him to beware a man wearing only one sandal.
Years later, Jason travelled to Iolcos. While crossing a river, he helped an old woman through the rushing water. The woman was actually the goddess Hera in disguise. Jason lost one sandal in the current, but gained the secret support of a goddess, and Hera secretly decided to help him. When Jason arrived, Pelias spotted his bare foot and nearly swallowed his crown. Jason demanded the throne. Pelias pretended to agree, but first he set an impossible task: Jason must sail to distant Colchis and bring back the Golden Fleece, the shining wool of a magical ram. “Certainly,” said Jason, although he knew the journey would be dangerous.
He ordered a magnificent ship called the Argo. Its crew became known as the Argonauts. They included Heracles, the musician Orpheus, the speedy twins Castor and Pollux, the huntress Atalanta and many other heroes. Many of the greatest heroes in Greece joined the crew. Their journey was packed with dangers. On one island, they met King Phineus, who was tormented by Harpies—flying creatures that swooped down and ruined his food. The Argonauts chased them away. In return, Phineus warned them about the Clashing Rocks, two huge cliffs that smashed together whenever a ship passed.
The crew released a dove between the rocks. The cliffs snapped shut, catching only its tail feathers. As they opened again, the Argonauts rowed with every bit of strength. Orpheus played a powerful rhythm to keep them together. The rocks crashed behind the Argo, clipping its stern but failing to crush it. At last they reached Colchis. King Aeëtes owned the Golden Fleece and had no interest in giving it away. He offered Jason another set of impossible challenges. Jason had to yoke two fire-breathing bulls, plough a field, sow it with dragon’s teeth and defeat the armed warriors that sprang from the soil.⬅ Back
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