Myths and Legends of Ancient Greece and Rome 18

Myths and Legends of Ancient Greece and Rome 18

Jason now applied to Argos, one of the cleverest ship-builders of his time,

who, under the guidance of Pallas-Athene, built for him a splendid

fifty-oared galley, which was called the Argo, after the builder. In the

upper deck of the vessel the goddess had imbedded a board from the speaking

oak of the oracle of Zeus at Dodona, which ever retained its powers of

prophecy. The exterior of the ship was ornamented with magnificent

carvings, and the whole vessel was so strongly built that it defied the

power of the winds and waves, and was, nevertheless, so light that the

heroes, when necessary, were able to carry it on their shoulders. When the

vessel was completed, the Argonauts (so called after their ship) assembled,

and their places were distributed by lot.

 

Jason was appointed commander-in-chief of the expedition, Tiphys acted as

steersman, Lynceus as pilot. In the bow of the vessel sat the renowned hero

Heracles; in the stern, Peleus (father of Achilles) and Telamon (the father

of Ajax the Great). In the inner space were Castor and Pollux, Neleus (the

father of Nestor), Admetus (the husband of Alcestes), Meleager (the slayer

of the Calydonian boar), Orpheus (the renowned singer), Menoctius (the

father of Patroclus), Theseus (afterwards king of Athens) and his friend

Pirithöus (the son of Ixion), Hylas (the adopted son of Heracles), Euphemus

(the son of Poseidon), Oileus (father of Ajax the Lesser), Zetes and Calais

(the winged sons of Boreas), Idmon the Seer (the son of Apollo), Mopsus

(the Thessalian prophet), &c. &c.

 

Before their departure Jason offered a solemn sacrifice to Poseidon and all

the other sea-deities; he also invoked the protection of Zeus and the

Fates, and then, Mopsus having taken the auguries, and found them

auspicious, the heroes stepped on board. And now a favourable breeze having

sprung up, they take their allotted places, {217} the anchor is weighed,

and the ship glides like a bird out of the harbour into the waters of the

great sea.

 

ARRIVAL AT LEMNOS.--The Argo, with her brave crew of fifty heroes, was soon

out of sight, and the sea-breeze only wafted to the shore a faint echo of

the sweet strains of Orpheus.

 

For a time all went smoothly, but the vessel was soon driven, by stress of

weather, to take refuge in a harbour in the island of Lemnos. This island

was inhabited by women only, who, the year before, in a fit of mad

jealousy, had killed all the male population of the island, with the

exception of the father of their queen, Hypsipyle. As the protection of

their island now devolved upon themselves they were always on the look-out

for danger. When, therefore, they sighted the Argo from afar they armed

themselves and rushed to the shore, determined to repel any invasion of

their territory.

 

On arriving in port the Argonauts, astonished at beholding an armed crowd

of women, despatched a herald in one of their boats, bearing the staff of

peace and friendship. Hypsipyle, the queen, proposed that food and presents

should be sent to the strangers, in order to prevent their landing; but her

old nurse, who stood beside her, suggested that this would be a good

opportunity to provide themselves with noble husbands, who would act as

their defenders, and thus put an end to their constant fears. Hypsipyle

listened attentively to the advice of her nurse, and after some

consultation, decided to invite the strangers into the city. Robed in his

purple mantle, the gift of Pallas-Athene, Jason, accompanied by some of his

companions, stepped on shore, where he was met by a deputation consisting

of the most beautiful of the Lemnian women, and, as commander of the

expedition, was invited into the palace of the queen.

 

When he appeared before Hypsipyle, she was so struck with his godlike and

heroic presence that she presented him with her father's sceptre, and

invited him to seat himself on the throne beside her. Jason thereupon {218}

took up his residence in the royal castle, whilst his companions scattered

themselves through the town, spending their time in feasting and pleasure.

Heracles, with a few chosen comrades, alone remained on board.

 

From day to day their departure was delayed, and the Argonauts, in their

new life of dissipation, had almost forgotten the object of the expedition,

when Heracles suddenly appeared amongst them, and at last recalled them to

a sense of their duty.

 

GIANTS AND DOLIONES.--The Argonauts now pursued their voyage, till contrary

winds drove them towards an island, inhabited by the Doliones, whose king

Cyzicus received them with great kindness and hospitality. The Doliones

were descendants of Poseidon, who protected them against the frequent

attacks of their fierce and formidable neighbours, the earth-born

Giants--monsters with six arms.

 

Whilst his companions were attending a banquet given by king Cyzicus,

Heracles, who, as usual, had remained behind to guard the ship, observed

that these Giants were busy blocking up the harbour with huge rocks. He at

once realized the danger, and, attacking them with his arrows, succeeded in

considerably thinning their numbers; then, assisted by the heroes, who at

length came to his aid, he effectually destroyed the remainder.

 

The Argo now steered out of the harbour and set sail; but in consequence of

a severe storm which arose at night, was driven back once more to the

shores of the kindly Doliones. Unfortunately, however, owing to the

darkness of the night, the inhabitants failed to recognize their former

guests, and, mistaking them for enemies, commenced to attack them. Those

who had so recently parted as friends were now engaged in mortal combat,

and in the battle which ensued, Jason himself pierced to the heart his

friend king Cyzicus; whereupon the Doliones, being deprived of their

leader, fled to their city and closed the gates. When morning dawned, and

both sides perceived their error, they were filled with {219} the deepest

sorrow and remorse; and for three days the heroes remained with the

Doliones, celebrating the funereal rites of the slain, with every

demonstration of mourning and solemnity.

 

HERACLES LEFT BEHIND.--The Argonauts once more set sail, and after a stormy

voyage arrived at Mysia, where they were hospitably received by the

inhabitants, who spread before them plentiful banquets and sumptuously

regaled them.

 

While his friends were feasting, Heracles, who had declined to join them,

went into the forest to seek a fir-tree which he required for an oar, and

was missed by his adopted son Hylas, who set out to seek him. When the

youth arrived at a spring, in the most secluded part of the forest, the

nymph of the fountain was so struck by his beauty that she drew him down

beneath the waters, and he was seen no more. Polyphemus, one of the heroes,

who happened to be also in the forest, heard his cry for help, and on

meeting Heracles informed him of the circumstance. They at once set out in

search of the missing youth, no traces of whom were to be found, and whilst

they were engaged looking for him, the Argo set sail and left them behind.

 

The ship had proceeded some distance before the absence of Heracles was

observed. Some of the heroes were in favour of returning for him, others

wished to proceed on their journey, when, in the midst of the dispute, the

sea-god Glaucus arose from the waves, and informed them that it was the

will of Zeus that Heracles, having another mission to perform, should

remain behind. The Argonauts continued their voyage without their

companions; Heracles returned to Argos, whilst Polyphemus remained with the

Mysians, where he founded a city and became its king.

 

CONTEST WITH AMYCUS.--Next morning the Argo touched at the country of the

Bebrycians, whose king Amycus was a famous pugilist, and permitted no

strangers to leave his shores without matching their {220} strength with

his. When the heroes, therefore, demanded permission to land, they were

informed that they could only do so provided that one of their number

should engage in a boxing-match with the king. Pollux, who was the best

pugilist in Greece, was selected as their champion, and a contest took

place, which, after a tremendous struggle, proved fatal to Amycus, who had

hitherto been victorious in all similar encounters.

 

PHINEUS AND THE HARPIES.--They now proceeded towards Bithynia, where

reigned the blind old prophet-king Phineus, son of Agenor. Phineus had been

punished by the gods with premature old age and blindness for having abused

the gift of prophecy. He was also tormented by the Harpies, who swooped

down upon his food, which they either devoured or so defiled as to render

it unfit to be eaten. This poor old man, trembling with the weakness of

age, and faint with hunger, appeared before the Argonauts, and implored

their assistance against his fiendish tormentors, whereupon Zetes and

Calais, the winged sons of Boreas, recognizing in him the husband of their

sister Cleopatra, affectionately embraced him, and promised to rescue him

from his painful position.

 

The heroes prepared a banquet on the sea-shore, to which they invited

Phineus; but no sooner had he taken his place, than the Harpies appeared

and devoured all the viands. Zetes and Calais now rose up into the air,

drove the Harpies away, and were pursuing them with drawn swords, when

Iris, the swift-footed messenger of the gods, appeared, and desired them to

desist from their work of vengeance, promising that Phineus should be no

longer molested.

 

Freed at length from his tormentors the old man sat down and enjoyed a

plentiful repast with his kind friends the Argonauts, who now informed him

of the object of their voyage. In gratitude for his deliverance Phineus

gave them much useful information concerning their journey, and not only

warned them of the manifold {221} dangers awaiting them, but also

instructed them how they might be overcome.

 

PASSAGE OF THE SYMPLEGADES.--After a fortnight's sojourn in Bithynia the

Argonauts once more set sail, but had not proceeded far on their course,

when they heard a fearful and tremendous crash. This was caused by the

meeting of two great rocky islands, called the Symplegades, which floated

about in the sea, and constantly met and separated.

 

Before leaving Bithynia, the blind old seer, Phineus, had informed them

that they would be compelled to pass between these terrible rocks, and he

instructed them how to do so with safety. As they now approached the scene

of danger they remembered his advice, and acted upon it. Typhus, the

steersman, stood at the helm, whilst Euphemus held in his hand a dove ready

to be let loose; for Phineus had told them that if the dove ventured to fly

through, they might safely follow. Euphemus now despatched the bird, which

passed swiftly through the islands, yet not without losing some of the

feathers of her tail, so speedily did they reunite. Seizing the moment when

the rocks once more separated, the Argonauts worked at their oars with all

their might, and achieved the perilous passage in safety.

 

After the miraculous passage of the Argo, the Symplegades became

permanently united, and attached to the bottom of the sea.

 

THE STYMPHALIDES.--The Argo pursued her course along the southern coast of

the Pontus, and arrived at the island of Aretias, which was inhabited by

birds, who, as they flew through the air, discharged from their wings

feathers sharp as arrows.

 

As the ship was gliding along, Oileus was wounded by one of these birds,

whereupon the Argonauts held a council, and by the advice of Amphidamas, an

experienced hero, all put on their helmets, and held up their glittering

shields, uttering, at the same time, such fearful cries that {222} the

birds flew away in terror, and the Argonauts were enabled to land with

safety on the island.

 

Here they found four shipwrecked youths, who proved to be the sons of

Phryxus, and were greeted by Jason as his cousins. On ascertaining the

object of the expedition they volunteered to accompany the Argo, and to

show the heroes the way to Colchis. They also informed them that the Golden

Fleece was guarded by a fearful dragon, that king Aëtes was extremely

cruel, and, as the son of Apollo, was possessed of superhuman strength.

 

ARRIVAL AT COLCHIS.--Taking with them the four new-comers they journeyed

on, and soon came in sight of the snow-capped peaks of the Caucasus, when,

towards evening, the loud flapping of wings was heard overhead. It was the

giant eagle of Prometheus on his way to torture the noble and

long-suffering Titan, whose fearful groans soon afterwards fell upon their

ears. That night they reached their journey's end, and anchored in the

smooth waters of the river Phases. On the left bank of this river they

beheld Ceuta, the capital of Colchis; and on their right a wide field, and

the sacred grove of Ares, where the Golden Fleece, suspended from a

magnificent oak-tree, was glittering in the sun. Jason now filled a golden

cup with wine, and offered a libation to mother-earth, the gods of the

country, and the shades of those of the heroes who had died on the voyage.

 

Next morning a council was held, in which it was decided, that before

resorting to forcible measures kind and conciliatory overtures should first

be made to king Aëtes in order to induce him to resign the Golden Fleece.

It was arranged that Jason, with a few chosen companions, should proceed to

the royal castle, leaving the remainder of the crew to guard the Argo.

Accompanied, therefore, by Telamon and Augeas, and the four sons of

Phryxus, he set out for the palace.

 

When they arrived in sight of the castle they were struck by the vastness

and massiveness of the building, at the entrance to which sparkling

fountains played in {223} the midst of luxuriant and park-like gardens.

Here the king's daughters, Chalciope and Medea, who were walking in the

grounds of the palace, met them. The former, to her great joy, recognized

in the youths who accompanied the hero her own long-lost sons, whom she had

mourned as dead, whilst the young and lovely Medea was struck with the

noble and manly form of Jason.

 

The news of the return of the sons of Phryxus soon spread through the

palace, and brought Aëtes himself to the scene, whereupon the strangers

were presented to him, and were invited to a banquet which the king ordered

to be prepared in their honour. All the most beautiful ladies of the court

were present at this entertainment; but in the eyes of Jason none could

compare with the king's daughter, the young and lovely Medea.

 

When the banquet was ended, Jason related to the king his various

adventures, and also the object of his expedition, with the circumstances

which had led to his undertaking it. Aëtes listened, in silent indignation,

to this recital, and then burst out into a torrent of invectives against

the Argonauts and his grand-children, declaring that the Fleece was his

rightful property, and that on no consideration would he consent to

relinquish it. Jason, however, with mild and persuasive words, contrived so

far to conciliate him, that he was induced to promise that if the heroes

could succeed in demonstrating their divine origin by the performance of

some task requiring superhuman power, the Fleece should be theirs.

 

The task proposed by Aëtes to Jason was that he should yoke the two

brazen-footed, fire-breathing oxen of the king (which had been made for him

by Hephæstus) to his ponderous iron plough. Having done this he must till

with them the stony field of Ares, and then sow in the furrows the

poisonous teeth of a dragon, from which armed men would arise. These he

must destroy to a man, or he himself would perish at their hands.

 

When Jason heard what was expected of him, his heart for a moment sank

within him; but he determined, nevertheless, not to flinch from his task,

but to trust to the {224} assistance of the gods, and to his own courage

and energy.

 

JASON PLOUGHS THE FIELD OF ARES.--Accompanied by his two friends, Telamon

and Augeas, and also by Argus, the son of Chalciope, Jason returned to the

vessel for the purpose of holding a consultation as to the best means of

accomplishing these perilous feats.

 

Argus explained to Jason all the difficulties of the superhuman task which

lay before him, and pronounced it as his opinion that the only means by

which success was possible was to enlist the assistance of the Princess

Medea, who was a priestess of Hecate, and a great enchantress. His

suggestion meeting with approval, he returned to the palace, and by the aid

of his mother an interview was arranged between Jason and Medea, which took

place, at an early hour next morning, in the temple of Hecate.

 

A confession of mutual attachment took place, and Medea, trembling for her

lover's safety, presented him with a magic salve, which possessed the

property of rendering any person anointed with it invulnerable for the

space of one day against fire and steel, and invincible against any

adversary however powerful. With this salve she instructed him to anoint

his spear and shield on the day of his great undertaking. She further added

that when, after having ploughed the field and sown the teeth, armed men

should arise from the furrows, he must on no account lose heart, but

remember to throw among them a huge rock, over the possession of which they

would fight among themselves, and their attention being thus diverted he

would find it an easy task to destroy them. Overwhelmed with gratitude,

Jason thanked her, in the most earnest manner, for her wise counsel and

timely aid; at the same time he offered her his hand, and promised her he

would not return to Greece without taking her with him as his wife.

 

Next morning Aëtes, in all the pomp of state, surrounded by his family and

the members of his court, {225} repaired to a spot whence a full view of

the approaching spectacle could be obtained. 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 the brazen yokes and the massive plough met his

view, but as yet the dread animals themselves were nowhere to be seen. He

was about to go in quest of them, when they suddenly rushed out from a

subterranean cave, breathing flames of fire, and enveloped in a thick

smoke.

 

The friends of Jason trembled; but the undaunted hero, relying on the magic

powers with which he was imbued by Medea, seized the oxen, one after the

other, by the horns, and forced them to the yoke. Near the plough was a

helmet full of dragon's teeth, which he sowed as he ploughed the field,

whilst with sharp pricks from his lance he compelled the monstrous

creatures to draw the plough over the stony ground, which was thus speedily

tilled.

 

While Jason was engaged sowing the dragon's teeth in the deep furrows of

the field, he kept a cautious look-out lest the germinating giant brood

might grow too quickly for him, and as soon as the four acres of land had

been tilled he unyoked the oxen, and succeeded in frightening them so

effectually with his weapons, that they rushed back in terror to their

subterranean stables. Meanwhile armed men had sprung up out of the furrows,

and the whole field now bristled with lances; but Jason, remembering the

instructions of Medea, seized an immense rock and hurled it into the midst

of these earth-born warriors, who immediately began to attack each other.

Jason then rushed furiously upon them, and after a terrible struggle not

one of the giants remained alive.

 

Furious at seeing his murderous schemes thus defeated, Aëtes not only

perfidiously refused to give Jason the Fleece which he had so bravely

earned, but, in his anger, determined to destroy all the Argonauts, and to

burn their vessel.

 

JASON SECURES THE GOLDEN FLEECE.--Becoming aware of the treacherous designs

of her father, Medea at {226} once took measures to baffle them. In the

darkness of night she went on board the Argo, and warned the heroes of

their approaching danger. She then advised Jason to accompany her without

loss of time to the sacred grove, in order to possess himself of the

long-coveted treasure. They set out together, and Medea, followed by Jason,

led the way, and advanced boldly into the grove. The tall oak-tree was soon

discovered, from the topmost boughs of which hung the beautiful Golden

Fleece. At the foot of this tree, keeping his ever-wakeful watch, lay the

dreadful, sleepless dragon, who at sight of them bounded forward, opening

his huge jaws.

 

Medea now called into play her magic powers, and quietly approaching the

monster, threw over him a few drops of a potion, which soon took effect,

and sent him into a deep sleep; whereupon Jason, seizing the opportunity,

climbed the tree and secured the Fleece. Their perilous task being now

accomplished, Jason and Medea quitted the grove, and hastened on board the

Argo, which immediately put to sea.

 

MURDER OF ABSYRTUS.--Meanwhile Aëtes, having discovered the loss of his

daughter and the Golden Fleece, despatched a large fleet, under the command

of his son Absyrtus, in pursuit of the fugitives. After some days' sail

they arrived at an island at the mouth of the river Ister, where they found

the Argo at anchor, and surrounded her with their numerous ships. They then

despatched a herald on board of her, demanding the surrender of Medea and

the Fleece.

 

Medea now consulted Jason, and, with his consent, carried out the following

stratagem. She sent a message to her brother Absyrtus, to the effect that

she had been carried off against her will, and promised that if he would

meet her, in the darkness of night, in the temple of Artemis, she would

assist him in regaining possession of the Golden Fleece. Relying on the

good faith of his sister, Absyrtus fell into the snare, and duly appeared

at the appointed trysting-place; and whilst Medea kept her {227} brother

engaged in conversation, Jason rushed forward and slew him. Then, according

to a preconcerted signal, he held aloft a lighted torch, whereupon the

Argonauts attacked the Colchians, put them to flight, and entirely defeated

them.

 

The Argonauts now returned to their ship, when the prophetic board from the

Dodonean oak thus addressed them: "The cruel murder of Absyrtus was

witnessed by the Erinyes, and 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 be enabled to find the abode of the

sorceress." In obedience to the voice, the twin-brothers invoked divine

assistance, and the heroes set out in search of the isle of Circe.

 

THEY ARRIVE AT THE ISLAND OF CIRCE.--The good ship Argo sped on her way,

and, after passing safely through the foaming waters of the river Eridanus,

at length arrived in the harbour of the island of Circe, where she cast

anchor.

 

Commanding his companions to remain on board, Jason landed with Medea, and

conducted her to the palace of the sorceress. The goddess of charms and

magic arts received them kindly, and invited them to be seated; but instead

of doing so they assumed a supplicating attitude, and humbly besought her

protection. They then informed her of the dreadful crime which they had

committed, and implored her to purify them from it. This Circe promised to

do. She forthwith commanded her attendant Naiads to kindle the fire on the

altar, and to prepare everything necessary for the performance of the

mystic rites, after which a dog was sacrificed, and the sacred cakes were

burned. Having thus duly purified the criminals, she severely reprimanded

them for the horrible murder of which they had been guilty; whereupon

Medea, with veiled head, and weeping bitterly, was reconducted by Jason to

the Argo.

 

FURTHER ADVENTURES OF THE ARGONAUTS.--Having left the island of Circe they

were wafted by gentle {228} zephyrs towards the abode of the Sirens, whose

enticing strains soon fell upon their ears. The Argonauts, powerfully

affected by the melody, were making ready to land, when Orpheus perceived

the danger, and, to the accompaniment of his magic lyre, commenced one of

his enchanting songs, which so completely absorbed his listeners that they

passed the island in safety; but not before Butes, one of their number,

lured by the seductive music of the Sirens, had sprung from the vessel into

the waves below. Aphrodite, however, in pity for his youth, landed him

gently on the island of Libibaon before the Sirens could reach him, and

there he remained for many years.

 

And now the Argonauts approached new dangers, for on one side of them

seethed and foamed the whirlpool of Charybdis, whilst on the other towered

the mighty rock whence the monster Scylla swooped down upon unfortunate

mariners; but here the goddess Hera came to their assistance, and sent to

them the sea-nymph Thetis, who guided them safely through these dangerous straits.