The Argonauts

Aeson, king of Iolcus, was forced to flee from his kingdom after his younger brother Pelias seized the throne. Aeson managed to save his young son Jason, only ten years old, and entrusted him to the care of the centaur Chiron. Under Chiron's guidance, Jason trained alongside other noble youths who would later become famous for their bravery and heroic deeds. For ten years Jason lived in the centaur's cave, learning all useful and warlike arts. As he approached manhood, he felt an overwhelming desire to reclaim his rightful inheritance. So he bid farewell to his kind teacher and set out for Iolcus to demand the kingdom from his uncle Pelias.

On his journey, Jason came to a wide, foaming river. On the bank he saw an old woman who begged him to carry her across. He hesitated, knowing that even alone he would struggle against the fierce current, but he pitied her and lifted her in his arms. With great effort he reached the opposite shore. As soon as her feet touched the ground, she transformed into a beautiful woman. She smiled at the astonished youth and told him she was the goddess Hera, and that she would guide and protect him from then on. Then she vanished. Filled with hope and courage, Jason continued on his way. He realized he had lost one of his sandals in the river, but since he could not recover it, he pressed on without it.

When Jason arrived at Iolcus, he found his uncle in the marketplace offering a public sacrifice to Poseidon. After the ceremony, the king noticed the distinguished stranger, whose manly beauty and heroic bearing had already drawn the attention of the people. Seeing that one foot was bare, Pelias remembered an oracle that had warned him he would lose his kingdom to a man wearing only one sandal. He hid his fear, spoke kindly to the youth, and learned his name and purpose. Pretending to be delighted with his nephew, Pelias entertained him lavishly for five days of feasting and celebration. On the sixth day, Jason appeared before his uncle and firmly demanded the throne that was rightfully his. Pelias, concealing his true feelings, smiled and agreed to grant his request, but only if Jason would first undertake a mission for him—a mission that Pelias, due to his old age, could not accomplish himself.

He told Jason that the ghost of Phryxus had appeared to him in a dream, begging him to bring back his mortal remains and the Golden Fleece from Colchis. If Jason succeeded in obtaining these sacred relics, Pelias promised, the throne, kingdom, and scepter would be his.

Story of the Golden Fleece

Athamas, king of Boeotia, had married Nephele, a cloud-nymph, and their children were Helle and Phryxus. But Nephele's restless, wandering nature soon tired her husband. Being mortal, he had little sympathy for his ethereal wife, so he divorced her and married the beautiful but wicked Ino, sister of Semele. Ino hated her stepchildren and even plotted their death. But the watchful Nephele thwarted her cruel plans and managed to get the children out of the palace. She placed both of them on the back of a winged ram with a fleece of pure gold, a gift from Hermes. On this marvelous creature, brother and sister rode through the air over land and sea. However, during the journey, Helle became dizzy and fell into the sea, which was later called the Hellespont in her memory. She drowned.

Phryxus arrived safely at Colchis, where King Aetes welcomed him and gave him one of his daughters in marriage. In gratitude to Zeus for protecting him during his flight, Phryxus sacrificed the golden ram and presented the fleece to Aetes. The king nailed it up in the Grove of Ares, dedicating it to the god of war. An oracle had declared that Aetes's life depended on keeping the fleece safe, so he guarded the entrance to the grove with an immense dragon that never slept.

Building and Launch of the Argo

Let us return to Jason. He eagerly undertook the dangerous expedition proposed by his uncle, who hoped that the perils of the journey would rid him of the unwelcome intruder forever.

Jason quickly began making plans. He invited the young heroes he had befriended while under Chiron's care to join him. None refused; all felt honored to take part in such a noble and heroic undertaking.

Jason then approached Argos, one of the cleverest shipbuilders of the time. Under the guidance of Pallas Athena, Argos built a splendid fifty-oared galley called the Argo. The goddess embedded a board from the speaking oak of the oracle of Zeus at Dodona into the upper deck; this board retained its power of prophecy. The exterior of the ship was adorned with magnificent carvings. The vessel was so strong that it defied wind and waves, yet so light that the heroes could carry it on their shoulders when needed. When the ship was finished, the Argonauts—so named after their ship—gathered and drew lots for their positions.

Jason was appointed commander-in-chief. Tiphys served as steersman, Lynceus as pilot. In the bow sat the renowned hero Heracles; in the stern, Peleus (father of Achilles) and Telamon (father of Ajax the Great). In the inner space were Castor and Pollux, Neleus (father of Nestor), Admetus (husband of Alcestis), Meleager (slayer of the Calydonian boar), Orpheus (the famous singer), Menoetius (father of Patroclus), Theseus (later king of Athens) and his friend Pirithous (son of Ixion), Hylas (adopted son of Heracles), Euphemus (son of Poseidon), Oileus (father of Ajax the Lesser), Zetes and Calais (the winged sons of Boreas), Idmon the Seer (son of Apollo), Mopsus (the Thessalian prophet), and many others.

Before departure, Jason offered a solemn sacrifice to Poseidon and all the other sea deities. He also invoked the protection of Zeus and the Fates. Mopsus took the auguries and found them favorable, so the heroes boarded the ship. A favorable breeze sprang up; they took their assigned places, weighed anchor, and the ship glided like a bird out of the harbor into the waters of the great sea.

Arrival at Lemnos

The Argo, with its brave crew of fifty heroes, soon disappeared from sight. Only the faint echo of Orpheus's sweet music drifted back to shore on the sea breeze.

Everything went smoothly for a while, but soon the vessel was driven by bad weather to take refuge in a harbor on the island of Lemnos. This island was inhabited only by women. The year before, in a fit of mad jealousy, they had killed all the men on the island except the father of their queen, Hypsipyle. Since they now had to defend the island themselves, they were always on the lookout for danger. When they spotted the Argo from afar, they armed themselves and rushed to the shore, determined to repel any invasion.

As the Argo entered the port, the Argonauts were astonished to see an armed crowd of women. They sent a herald in one of their boats, carrying the staff of peace and friendship. Queen Hypsipyle proposed sending food and gifts to the strangers to prevent them from landing. But her old nurse, standing beside her, suggested that this was a good opportunity to find noble husbands who would defend them, ending their constant fear. Hypsipyle listened carefully to her nurse's advice, and after some discussion, decided to invite the strangers into the city.

Jason, wearing his purple mantle—a gift from Pallas Athena—stepped ashore with some of his companions. There he was met by a deputation of the most beautiful Lemnian women. As commander of the expedition, he was invited to the queen's palace. When he appeared before Hypsipyle, she was so struck by his godlike, heroic presence that she gave him her father's scepter and invited him to sit on the throne beside her. Jason then took up residence in the royal castle, while his companions scattered throughout the town, spending their time feasting and enjoying pleasures. Only Heracles and a few chosen comrades remained on board the ship.

Day after day, their departure was delayed. The Argonauts, lost in this new life of dissipation, almost forgot the purpose of their expedition—until Heracles suddenly appeared among them and reminded them of their duty.

Giants and Doliones

The Argonauts resumed their voyage, but contrary winds drove them toward an island inhabited by the Doliones. Their king, Cyzicus, welcomed them with great kindness and hospitality. The Doliones were descendants of Poseidon, who protected them against the frequent attacks of their fierce neighbors, the earth-born Giants—monsters with six arms each.

While his companions attended a banquet given by King Cyzicus, Heracles—who, as usual, had stayed behind to guard the ship—noticed that the Giants were blocking the harbor with huge rocks. He immediately saw the danger and attacked them with his arrows, killing many. Then the other heroes came to his aid, and together they destroyed the rest.

The Argo set sail again, but a severe storm arose at night and drove the ship back to the shores of the friendly Doliones. Unfortunately, because of the darkness, the inhabitants did not recognize their former guests. Mistaking them for enemies, the Doliones attacked. Those who had recently parted as friends now fought a deadly battle. In the fight, Jason himself pierced his friend King Cyzicus through the heart. Deprived of their leader, the Doliones fled to their city and closed the gates. When dawn came, both sides realized their terrible mistake. They were filled with deep sorrow and remorse. For three days the heroes remained with the Doliones, performing funeral rites for the slain with every sign of mourning.

Heracles Left Behind

The Argonauts set sail once more. After a stormy voyage, they arrived at Mysia, where the inhabitants welcomed them with plentiful banquets.

While his friends feasted, Heracles—who had declined to join them—went into the forest to find a fir tree for an oar. His adopted son Hylas missed him and went to look for him. When the youth reached a spring in the most secluded part of the forest, the nymph of the fountain was so captivated by his beauty that she pulled him down beneath the water, and he was never seen again. Polyphemus, another hero who happened to be in the forest, heard Hylas's cry for help. He met Heracles and told him what had happened. They immediately began searching for the missing youth, but found no trace of him. While they were looking, the Argo set sail and left them behind.

The ship had traveled some distance before the absence of Heracles was noticed. Some heroes wanted to turn back for him; others wished to continue. In the midst of the dispute, the sea-god Glaucus rose from the waves and told them that it was Zeus's will for Heracles to remain behind, as he had another mission to perform. The Argonauts continued their voyage without their companions. Heracles returned to Argos, while Polyphemus stayed with the Mysians, founded a city, and became its king.

Contest with Amycus

The next morning, the Argo landed at the country of the Bebrycians. Their king, Amycus, was a famous boxer who allowed no strangers to leave his shores without matching their strength against his. When the heroes asked permission to land, they were told they could only do so if one of them fought the king in a boxing match. Pollux, the best boxer in Greece, was chosen as their champion. The contest took place, and after a tremendous struggle, it proved fatal to Amycus, who had never been defeated before.

Phineus and the Harpies

The Argonauts proceeded toward Bithynia, where the blind old prophet-king Phineus, son of Agenor, reigned. Phineus had been punished by the gods with premature old age and blindness for misusing the gift of prophecy. He was also tormented by the Harpies, who swooped down on his food and either devoured it or defiled it so that it could not be eaten. This poor old man, trembling with weakness and faint with hunger, appeared before the Argonauts and begged for their help against his fiendish tormentors. Zetes and Calais, the winged sons of Boreas, recognized Phineus as the husband of their sister Cleopatra. They embraced him affectionately and promised to rescue him from his painful situation.

The heroes prepared a banquet on the seashore and invited Phineus. But as soon as he took his place, the Harpies swooped down and devoured all the food. Zetes and Calais rose into the air, drove the Harpies away, and were pursuing them with drawn swords when Iris, the swift-footed messenger of the gods, appeared. She commanded them to stop their vengeance, promising that Phineus would no longer be bothered.

Freed from his tormentors at last, the old man sat down and enjoyed a plentiful meal with his kind friends the Argonauts. They told him the purpose of their voyage. In gratitude for his deliverance, Phineus gave them much useful advice about their journey. He warned them of the many dangers ahead and instructed them on how to overcome them.

Passage of the Symplegades

After two weeks in Bithynia, the Argonauts set sail again. They had not gone far when they heard a tremendous crash. It came from two great rocky islands called the Symplegades, which floated in the sea and constantly met and separated.

Before leaving Bithynia, the blind old seer Phineus had told them they would have to pass between these terrible rocks and explained how to do it safely. As they approached the danger, they remembered his advice and followed it. Tiphys the steersman stood at the helm, while Euphemus held a dove ready to release. Phineus had said that if the dove dared to fly through, they could safely follow. Euphemus let the bird go. It flew swiftly between the islands, but even so, it lost some tail feathers when the rocks crashed together. Seizing the moment when the rocks separated again, the Argonauts rowed with all their might and made it through safely. After the miraculous passage of the Argo, the Symplegades became permanently fixed and attached to the bottom of the sea.

The Stymphalides

The Argo sailed along the southern coast of the Pontus and reached the island of Aretias, which was inhabited by birds that shot sharp feathers like arrows from their wings as they flew. As the ship glided along, Oileus was wounded by one of these birds. The Argonauts held a council, and by the advice of the experienced hero Amphidamas, they all put on their helmets and raised their glittering shields, shouting such terrifying cries that the birds fled in terror. The Argonauts were then able to land safely on the island.

There they found four shipwrecked youths who turned out to be the sons of Phryxus. Jason greeted them as his cousins. When they learned the purpose of the expedition, they volunteered to accompany the Argo and guide the heroes to Colchis. They also told them that the Golden Fleece was guarded by a fearsome dragon, that King Aetes was extremely cruel, and that as the son of Apollo, he possessed superhuman strength.

Arrival at Colchis

Taking the four newcomers with them, the Argonauts sailed on. Soon they saw the snow-capped peaks of the Caucasus. Toward evening, they heard the loud flapping of wings overhead—it was the giant eagle of Prometheus on its way to torture the noble, long-suffering Titan. Soon after, they heard his fearful groans. That night they reached their journey's end and anchored in the smooth waters of the river Phasis. On the left bank they saw Cyta, the capital of Colchis. On the right were a wide field and the sacred grove of Ares, where the Golden Fleece hung from a magnificent oak tree, glittering in the sun. Jason filled a golden cup with wine and poured a libation to Mother Earth, the gods of the land, and the shades of the heroes who had died during the voyage.

The next morning, the Argonauts held a council. They decided to first try kind and conciliatory words with King Aetes, hoping to persuade him to give up the Golden Fleece. Jason, with a few chosen companions—Telamon, Augeas, and the four sons of Phryxus—set out for the royal palace, while the rest of the crew guarded the Argo.

When they came in sight of the castle, they were amazed by its vast size and strength. At the entrance, sparkling fountains played amid lush, park-like gardens. There the king's daughters, Chalciope and Medea, met them while walking in the palace grounds. Chalciope recognized her long-lost sons among the youths accompanying the hero—she had mourned them as dead. The young and lovely Medea was struck by Jason's noble, manly form.

The news of the return of the sons of Phryxus spread quickly through the palace and brought Aetes himself to the scene. The strangers were presented to him, and he ordered a banquet prepared in their honor. All the most beautiful ladies of the court attended, but in Jason's eyes, none could compare with the king's daughter, the young and lovely Medea.

After the banquet, Jason told the king about his adventures and the purpose of his expedition—and how he had come to undertake it. Aetes listened in silent indignation, then burst into a rage, cursing the Argonauts and his own grandchildren. He declared that the Fleece was his rightful property and that he would never give it up. But Jason spoke with mild, persuasive words and calmed the king enough that Aetes promised that if the heroes could prove their divine origin by performing a superhuman task, the Fleece would be theirs.

The task Aetes set was this: Jason must yoke the king's two brazen-footed, fire-breathing oxen—made by Hephaestus—to a heavy iron plow. Then he must plow the stony field of Ares and sow the furrows with the poisonous teeth of a dragon. From those teeth, armed men would spring up. Jason had to destroy every single one of them, or he would die at their hands.

When Jason heard this, his heart sank for a moment. But he resolved not to flinch from the task and to trust in the help of the gods and his own courage and energy.

Jason Ploughs the Field of Ares

Jason returned to the ship with his friends Telamon and Augeas, and Argus, the son of Chalciope, to discuss how to accomplish these perilous feats. Argus explained all the difficulties of the superhuman task and said that the only way to succeed was to enlist the help of Princess Medea, who was a priestess of Hecate and a great enchantress. The others agreed. Argus went back to the palace, and with his mother's help, arranged a meeting between Jason and Medea early the next morning in the temple of Hecate.

There they confessed their mutual love. Medea, trembling for her lover's safety, gave him a magic salve that would make anyone anointed with it invulnerable for one day against fire and steel, and invincible against any enemy, no matter how powerful. She told him to anoint his spear and shield with it on the day of his trial. She also said that after he had plowed the field and sown the teeth, armed men would rise from the furrows. He must not lose heart, but throw a huge rock among them. They would fight each other for it, and while they were distracted, he could easily destroy them. Overwhelmed with gratitude, Jason thanked her warmly for her wise advice and timely help. He offered her his hand and promised to take her with him to Greece as his wife.

The next morning, Aetes in all his royal pomp, surrounded by his family and court, went to a place where he could have a full view of the coming spectacle. Soon Jason appeared in the field of Ares, looking as noble and majestic as the god of war himself. In a distant part of the field, he saw the brazen yokes and the massive plow, but the fearsome animals were nowhere in sight. He was about to go look for them when they suddenly rushed out of an underground cave, breathing flames and enveloped in thick smoke.

Jason's friends trembled, but the fearless hero, relying on the magic powers Medea had given him, seized the oxen one by one by the horns and forced them into the yoke. Near the plow was a helmet full of dragon's teeth. He sowed them as he plowed the field, using sharp pricks from his lance to make the monstrous creatures drag the plow over the stony ground. Soon the field was tilled.

While Jason was sowing the dragon's teeth into the deep furrows, he kept a careful watch, afraid that the sprouting giant brood might grow too quickly. As soon as he had plowed the four acres, he unyoked the oxen and frightened them so much with his weapons that they fled back to their underground stable. Meanwhile, armed men sprang up from the furrows, and the whole field bristled with lances. But Jason remembered Medea's instructions. He seized a huge rock and hurled it into the midst of the earth-born warriors. They immediately began attacking each other. Then Jason rushed upon them furiously, and after a terrible struggle, not one giant remained alive.

Furious that his murderous plan had failed, Aetes not only refused to give Jason the Fleece he had bravely earned, but also decided to destroy all the Argonauts and burn their ship.

Jason Secures the Golden Fleece

Learning of her father's treacherous plans, Medea took steps to thwart them. In the darkness of night, she went on board the Argo and warned the heroes of their danger. She then urged Jason to come with her immediately to the sacred grove to take the long-desired treasure. They set out together. Medea led the way boldly into the grove, with Jason following. Soon they saw the tall oak tree, from whose topmost branches hung the beautiful Golden Fleece. At the foot of the tree, the dreadful, sleepless dragon lay at its constant watch. When it saw them, it lunged forward, opening its huge jaws.

Medea now used her magic. She quietly approached the monster and sprinkled a few drops of a potion over it. The potion quickly took effect, sending the dragon into a deep sleep. Jason seized the opportunity, climbed the tree, and took down the Fleece. Their dangerous task accomplished, they left the grove and hurried to the Argo, which immediately set sail.

Murder of Absyrtus

Meanwhile, Aetes discovered the loss of his daughter and the Golden Fleece. He sent a large fleet under the command of his son Absyrtus to pursue the fugitives. After several days, the Colchians caught up with the Argo at an island at the mouth of the river Ister. They surrounded the Argo with their many ships and sent a herald demanding the return of Medea and the Fleece.

Medea consulted Jason, and with his consent, she devised a stratagem. She sent a message to her brother Absyrtus saying that she had been carried off against her will and promising that if he would meet her in the temple of Artemis that night, she would help him regain the Golden Fleece. Trusting his sister, Absyrtus fell into the trap. He appeared at the appointed place. While Medea kept him talking, Jason rushed forward and killed him. Then, as prearranged, Jason held up a lighted torch. At the signal, the Argonauts attacked the Colchians, put them to flight, and defeated them completely.

The Argonauts returned to their ship. Then the prophetic board from the Dodonian oak spoke to them: "The cruel murder of Absyrtus was witnessed by the Erinyes. You will not escape the wrath of Zeus until the goddess Circe has purified you from your crime. Let Castor and Pollux pray to the gods that you may find the sorceress's dwelling." Obeying the voice, the twin brothers prayed for divine help, and the heroes set out in search of Circe's island.

They Arrive at the Island of Circe

The good ship Argo sped on its way. After passing safely through the foaming waters of the river Eridanus, it finally reached the harbor of Circe's island and dropped anchor.

Jason ordered his companions to stay on board, while he and Medea went to Circe's palace. The goddess of charms and magic arts received them kindly and invited them to sit. But instead, they took a suppliant position and humbly begged her protection. They told her about the dreadful crime they had committed and implored her to purify them. Circe promised to do so. She ordered her attendant Naiads to light the fire on the altar and prepare everything needed for the mystic rites. They sacrificed a dog and burned sacred cakes. After thus purifying the criminals, Circe sternly reprimanded them for the horrible murder. Then Medea, veiling her head and weeping bitterly, was led back to the Argo by Jason.

Further Adventures of the Argonauts

Leaving Circe's island, gentle breezes carried them toward the home of the Sirens. Their enticing songs soon reached the Argonauts' ears. The heroes were strongly affected and prepared to land, but Orpheus saw the danger. He began to play his magic lyre and sing one of his enchanting songs, which so completely absorbed the listeners that they passed the island safely. However, one of them, Butes, was lured by the Sirens' seductive music and jumped into the waves. But Aphrodite, pitying his youth, gently carried him to the island of Libibaon before the Sirens could reach him, and he stayed there for many years.

Now the Argonauts approached new dangers. On one side seethed the whirlpool of Charybdis; on the other loomed the rock where the monster Scylla snatched unfortunate sailors. But the goddess Hera came to their aid, sending the sea-nymph Thetis to guide them safely through these dangerous straits.

The Argo next arrived at the island of the Phaeacians, where King Alcinous and Queen Arete entertained them hospitably. However, the banquet was suddenly interrupted by the arrival of a large army of Colchians sent by Aetes to demand the return of his daughter.

Medea threw herself at the queen's feet and begged her to save her from her father's anger. Arete, kind-hearted, promised her protection. The next morning, the king held an assembly of the people, with the Colchians invited. The Colchians were told that since Medea was Jason's lawful wife, they could not surrender her. Seeing that the king's decision was firm, and afraid to face Aetes's anger if they returned without her, the Colchians asked Alcinous for permission to settle in his kingdom, which he granted.

After these events, the Argonauts set sail again for Iolcus. But during a terrible, fearful night, a mighty storm arose. In the morning, they found themselves stranded on the treacherous quicksands of Syrtes on the coast of Libya. All around was a barren desert, with no living creatures except the venomous snakes that had sprung from the blood of Medusa when Perseus carried her head over these arid plains.

They had already spent several days in this desolate place, under the scorching sun, and had given themselves up to despair, when the Libyan queen—a prophetess of divine origin—appeared to Jason and told him that a sea-horse would be sent by the gods to guide them.

Scarcely had she left when they saw a gigantic hippocamp approaching the Argo. Jason told his companions about his meeting with the prophetess. After some deliberation, they decided to carry the Argo on their shoulders and follow wherever the sea-horse led. They began a long, weary journey through the desert. After twelve days of severe toil and terrible suffering, they finally saw the welcome sight of the sea. In gratitude for being saved from so many dangers, they offered sacrifices to the gods and launched their ship once more into the deep waters of the ocean.

Arrival at Crete

With heartfelt joy, they continued their homeward voyage. After several days, they arrived at the island of Crete, intending to take on fresh provisions and water. But a terrible giant barred their landing. This giant, named Talus, was the last of the Brazen Race. Made of brass, he was invulnerable except in his right ankle, where there was a sinew of flesh and a vein of blood. When he saw the Argo approaching, he hurled huge rocks that would have sunk the ship if the crew had not quickly retreated. Although desperately in need of food and water, the Argonauts decided to move on rather than face such a powerful opponent. But Medea came forward and said that if they trusted her, she would destroy the giant.

Wrapped in a rich purple mantle, she stepped onto the deck and invoked the Fates. Then she chanted a magic spell that put Talus into a deep sleep. He stretched out on the ground, and as he did so, his vulnerable ankle grazed a sharp rock. A mighty stream of blood gushed from the wound. Awakened by the pain, he tried to rise, but in vain. With a mighty groan of anguish, the giant fell dead, and his enormous body rolled heavily into the deep. The heroes were then able to land, provision their ship, and resume their journey.

Arrival at Iolcus

After a terrible night of storm and darkness, they passed the island of Aegina and finally reached the port of Iolcus safely. There, their fellow countrymen listened with wonder and admiration as the heroes recounted their many adventures and narrow escapes.

The Argo was consecrated to Poseidon and carefully preserved for many generations until nothing remained of it. Then it was placed in the heavens as a brilliant constellation.

On his arrival at Iolcus, Jason led his beautiful bride to the palace of his uncle Pelias, carrying the Golden Fleece for which the perilous expedition had been undertaken. But the old king, who had never expected Jason to return alive, basely refused to keep his part of the bargain. He declined to give up the throne.

Indignant at the wrongs done to her husband, Medea sought revenge in a shocking way. She made friends with the king's daughters, pretending great interest in their concerns. After gaining their trust, she told them that among her many magic arts, she could restore youth and strength to the aged. To prove it, she cut up an old ram, boiled it in a cauldron, and after uttering mystic incantations, a beautiful young lamb came out. She assured them that they could restore their old father to his former youthful vigor in the same way. The fond, credulous daughters of Pelias eagerly believed the wicked sorceress, and so the old king died at the hands of his own innocent children.

Death of Jason

Medea and Jason then fled to Corinth, where for a time they found peace and happiness, completed by the birth of three children.

But as time passed, Medea began to lose the beauty that had won her husband's love. Jason grew tired of her and was attracted to the youthful charms of Glauce, the beautiful daughter of Creon, king of Corinth. Jason had already obtained her father's consent to their marriage, and the wedding day was set before he told Medea of his treachery. He used all his persuasive powers to make her agree to his union with Glauce, assuring her that his affection had not diminished, but that for the sake of the advantages it would bring their children, he had decided to form this alliance with the royal house. Though justly enraged at his deceit, Medea hid her anger and pretended to be satisfied with his explanation. She sent her rival a magnificent golden robe as a wedding gift. But the robe was imbued with a deadly poison that would burn the wearer's flesh and bones as if with fire.

Pleased with the beauty of the garment, the unsuspecting Glauce eagerly put it on. As soon as she did, the poison took effect. She tried to tear it off, but it would not come away. After horrible, protracted suffering, she died.

Maddened by the loss of her husband's love, Medea then killed their three sons. When Jason, thirsting for revenge, left the chamber of his dead bride and ran to his own house searching for Medea, he was met by the ghastly sight of his murdered children. He rushed about wildly looking for the murderess, but she was nowhere to be found. Then he heard a sound above his head. He looked up and saw Medea gliding through the air in a golden chariot drawn by dragons.

In despair, Jason threw himself on his own sword and died on the threshold of his desolate, deserted home.