What did Jason and the Argonauts search for in distant Colchis?

Myths and legends of the ancient Greeks are amazing stories about great people who have achieved more than others. And although they did not really have superpowers, their exploits from this seem even more majestic. One of the most striking stories of the ancient world is the legend of Jason and the Argonauts. It is commonly believed that it originated around the eighth century BC and displays stories about the development of the Black Sea by the Greeks. And if earlier many believed that the events described were fabricated, there are many confirmations that the inhabitants of Hellas still visited Georgia, that is, in Colchis. After all, the epic "Argonauts" mentions real geographical names and descriptions of local religious holidays, even if they are embellished with fictions.

Prehistory of the trekking: golden aries

Before you tell about the trip itself, it is worthwhile to figure out what Jason and the Argonauts were looking for. Long before this swim, the goddess Nephela gave birth to a boy and a girl from King Athamant, Fryx and Gella. Later the king married again, and his stepmother wished to destroy his adopted children. By cunning and bribery, she forced the king to sacrifice the twins. But Nephele saved the children from death, sending them a golden ram. Frix and Gella climbed the animal and soared into the sky. But during the storm the girl could not resist and died at sea, and the boy safely reached Colchis.

At that time the wise king Eet, the son of the sun god, ruled the country. He gladly accepted the boy, married his daughter, and a wonderful lamb was sacrificed to the gods. The fleece itself was hanged in a sacred grove, and it, according to legend, brought prosperity to the kingdom. But then Eet had a son, so soon the king wanted to get rid of Fryks. He agreed to leave Colchis, but wanted to take the fleece. During the quarrel, Eet kills his son-in-law, but he manages to curse all the owners of a wonderful thing.

Offended Prince

So, what Jason and the Argonauts were looking for on the far shores of the Black Sea, we sorted it out. Now it's time to tell about the heroes and their lives. The Thessaly Queen Tiro had two sons - Pelius and Esson, whose father was King Iolk. After the death of the last, the throne was to depart Eson, but Pelius took the power from his brother with cunning. The latter sends his son Jason to the centaur Chiron, fearing for his life.

After growing up, Jason returns home to regain his throne. On the way, he helps the old woman to cross the river, not knowing that it was Hera herself. It is not difficult to guess that the noble act brought the young man the favor of the goddess and her help. Pelius agreed to return the throne to Jason, provided that he brings him a golden fleece. That's what Jason and the Argonauts were looking for at the foot of the Caucasus Mountains.

Preparing for the expedition

Prince accepted the offer of his uncle and began to collect a team for a difficult journey. From all over the country heroes came to his aid. Among them was the mighty Hercules, the twins Castor and Polydeuc, the brothers-boreids Zet and Kalaid, the sweet-cheeked Orpheus, Theseus, Meleager, the huntsman Atalanta. About 60 brave travelers traveled to Colchis. For them, construction work began on a deserted shore. It is worth noting that the Greeks until this time did not know how to build ships, only small boats, in which they sailed to the neighboring islands. But the goddess Hera turned for help to Athena, who opened the secret to Argus, the old carpenter. The ship, called "Argo", went to fame. Soon it sailed from the shore, taking away the brave ones.

The journey begins

The Argonauts are heroes of myths and legends, so their journey is filled with unusual adventures and fabulous events. On the island of Lemnos, the sailors helped the local women get rid of the insanity and punishment sent to them by Aphrodite and the Kabir gods. Many of the heroes were married, as there were no men on the island. But the journey continued, because the goal was not achieved. "Argo" crossed the Thracian Sea, the Hellespont, Propontis, reached Mysia (Mizia). The Argonauts in Mysia were forced to leave three of their comrades: Hercules, who, with the will of the gods, had to return to Hellas and accomplish his twelve feats, handsome Hylas, whom the nymphs had dragged to the bottom, and Polyphemus, who was destined to found the city of Chios here and become ruler in it .

Next, the heroes visited the land of the bebris, where they defeated Amika, the son of Poseidon and the Bithynian nymph, and took from him the promise of hospitably accepting strangers, and not fight with them to death. In Thrace, the Argonauts helped the blind prophet Phineus to get rid of the harpies, and he warned them against many dangers on the way. And finally, the ship came to the shores of Colchis.

Sunny country

So, the goal of the journey is reached: here, in Colchis, is what Jason and the Argonauts were looking for. But the local king did not really want to give the golden fleece to the newcomers. After passing the tests and taking advantage of the help of Medea (daughter of Eet), the heroes took possession of the relic and returned to Greece. True, their return was long, since the gods turned their backs on the Argonauts because of the murder of the little prince. It is worth noting that Pelius did not keep his word and did not return the throne to Jason. But that's another story ...