Greek Mythology

Jason/Iason

Jason was a greek hero, most known for leading his Argonauts in the quest to obtain the golden fleece. As a boy, Jason was a victim of family quarrel, when his uncle Pelias killed his father Aeson and took the kingdom for himself. In fear of losing her son, Alcimede sent Jason into wilderness, where he was raised by a centaur called Chiron. When grown, Jason returned to his native city of Iolcos, where he demanded back his kingdom. Pelias agreed on one condition though, which was to bring back the golden fleece. It was the quest thought to be impossible to accomplish, but this did not stop Jason who had gathered fifty men to accompany him. Together they were called the Argonauts. He later came back with the golden fleece and new wife Medea who also happened to be the enchantress. However, Jason's heart went elsewhere and jealous wife killed his mistress and her own sons who she had with Jason. Then she fled to Athens. Jason also lost the favour of Hera, once she had finished her plot which was to bring Medea to Iolcos to kill Pelias. Jason lived for the rest of his life in solitude beside his ship Argo. Old aged and tired of living, he asked Zeus to show mercy on him. And the sudden death came, when a rotten piece of the Argo fell on his head. The ship was then raised to the heavens and became a legend, as well as Jason.

Appearance in the works of art

Jason is often depicted as a fully grown man in a classic greek helm and armor, holding a sword or a spear in his hands. Sometimes, he is holding a golden fleece in his hand. He is also depicted in a company of the Argonauts on several occasions or on one of his quests, such as the returning to Greece, where he accounted a giant Talos.

Tragic family events and plot of Hera

His myth begins even before he was born. Jason was about to become a son of king Aeson and Alcimede. He was to live a royal life in a modern city of Volos in the land of Iolcos, but his uncle Pelias, half brother of Aeson, had different plans. He had overthrown and killed Aeson, because of his ambitions to claim the throne. He also planned to kill all of his heirs to prevent anyone from claiming the kingdom back. However, Alcimede secretly gave birth to Jason and, in despair of getting killed, sent him away into wilderness. He was brought to Mount Pelion, to live with centaur called Chiron. The centaur became his tutor and made it possible for Jason to grow in a healthy young man. He taught him hunting, the arts of warfare, music and medicine. When Jason reached early twenties, he decided to come back to Volos to reclaim his kingdom. Meanwhile, Pelias, in fear of being overthrown, approached the Oracle of Delphi where he was prophesied to beware of a man with one sandal. And it just happened to be Jason who in his journey helped an old lady to cross over the river Anauros. In the process of crossing over the rapid flowing river, he lost one of his sandals. The old lady thanked him and Jason was back on track towards the city of Volos. But what he didn't know was that the old lady was Hera in disguise and because of this unselfish deed, he had gained her favor before approaching Pelias. It was all planned by the queen of the gods, as Hera plotted against Pelias who desecrated her temple by killing his own stepmother Sidero in it. When Jason finally came before Pelias, the king had seen the prophecy of a man with one sandal coming true and in fear decided to gave away his kingdom to this dangerous stranger, on one condition though. He had to bring back the golden fleece from a distant land of Colchis, a quest seemed impossible for anyone to accomplish.

Jason and the Argonauts

Although this impossible task was presented to Jason, he didn't give up. Quite contrary, he was determined to bring back the golden fleece from a distant land. He realised that he would need a fast and enduring boat for such a long journey. He consulted with Argos, one of the best shipwrights at that time. Even the gods intervened in building this ship, with Athena helping to fasten the process and Zeus providing timber from one of his finest oaks. Once ship was built, Jason invited the bravest and mightiest warriors from Greece. Most notable among the Argonauts were Heracles, Orpheus, the great musician, Atalanta, Ephemus, the hero with ability to walk on water, Castor and Pollux, the twin brothers of Helen of Troy. Castor was a great horseman, while Pollux was the best boxer around. All of the Argonauts were tired of usual life and were eager for adventure, but had no idea that they were going to encounter difficult challenges and all of them won't be coming home. From iolcos to colchis.