by @the-argonautica

The Argonautica — Chronicle

Ordered by book. No event in this book could be dated from the text, so it is not dated — no anchor, no chronology; a date is never inferred. Time expressions are copied from the text as written. Every event links back to one sentence of the original.

⭐ Constellation map → · 📖 Read the original → · 🗂 Character index → · 📍 Places →

228 events · no event could be dated from the text

Undated

Book I 1
Pelias hears an oracle foretelling his death by a one-sandaled man.

Book I 1

Pelias

Such was the oracle that Pelias heard, that a hateful doom awaited him to be slain at the prompting of the man whom he should see coming forth from the people with but one sandal.

Book I 1
Pelias imposes a perilous voyage on Jason to prevent his return.

Book I 1

Pelias Jason

Quickly the king saw him and pondered, and devised for him the toil of a troublous voyage, in order that on the sea or among strangers he might lose his home-return.

Book I 1
Argus son of Arestor builds Argo under Athena’s guidance.

Book I 1

Athena Argus son of Arestor

The ship, as former bards relate, Argus wrought by the guidance of Athena.

Book I 1
Athena recruits Tiphys to join the band of chiefs.

Book I 1

Athena Tiphys

Tritonian Athena herself urged him to join the band of chiefs, and he came among them a welcome comrade.

Book I 1
Caeneus perishes beneath the earth after defeating the Centaurs.

Book I 1

Caeneus

For bards relate that Caeneus though still living perished at the hands of the Centaurs, when apart from other chiefs he routed them; and they, rallying against him, could neither bend nor slay him; but unconquered and unflinching he passed beneath the earth, overwhelmed by the downrush of massy pines.

Book I 1
Telamon and Peleus settle separately in exile after killing their brother Phoeus.

Book I 1

Telamon Peleus Phoeus

After them came the sons of Aeacus, not both together, nor from the same spot; for they settled far from Aegina in exile, when in their folly they had slain their brother Phoeus.

Book I 1
Heracles answers Jason’s summons and joins the expedition.

Book I 1 · 📍 [[Lyrceian Argos]]

Jason Heracles

Nor do we learn that Heracles of the mighty heart disregarded the eager summons of Aeson’s son. But when he heard a report of the heroes’ gathering and had reached Lyrceian Argos from Arcadia by the road along which he carried the boar alive that fed in the thickets of Lampeia, near the vast Erymanthian swamp, the boar bound with chains he put down from his huge shoulders at the entrance to the market-place of Mycenae; and himself of his own will set out against the purpose of Eurystheus;

Book I 1
Idmon is revealed as Phoebus’s son rather than Abas’s.

Book I 1

Apollo Idmon Abas

He was not in truth the son of Abas, but Leto’s son himself begat him to be numbered among the illustrious Aeolids; and himself taught him the art of prophecy—to pay heed to birds and to observe the signs of the burning sacrifice.

Book I 2
Poseidon grants Periclymenus immense strength and the power to change shape during battle.

Book I 2

Poseidon Periclymenus

Poseidon had given him boundless strength and granted him that whatever shape he should crave during the fight, that he should take in the stress of battle.

Book I 2
Lycurgus sends Ancaeus son of Lycurgus to join his brothers among the heroes.

Book I 2 · 📍 [[Arcadia]]

Lycurgus Ancaeus son of Lycurgus

Ancaeus followed them as the third, whom his father Lycurgus sent, the brother older than both.

Book I 2
Oeneus sends Laocoon to guard the young Meleagrus.

Book I 2 · 📍 [[Calydon]]

Oeneus Laocoon Meleagrus

Laocoon the brother of Oeneus, though not by the same mother, for a serving-woman bare him; him, now growing old, Oeneus sent to guard his son

Book I 2
Boreas abducts Oreithyia and carries her away to the rock of Sarpedon.

Book I 2 · 📍 [[Cecropia]]

Boreas Oreithyia

Thracian Boreas snatched her away from Cecropia as she was whirling in the dance, hard by Hissus’ stream. And, carrying her far off, to the spot that men called the rock of Sarpedon

Book I 2
Pelias imposes the dangerous expedition on Jason.

Book I 2

Pelias Jason

Would that on that day when, wretched woman that I am, I heard King Pelias proclaim his evil behest

Book I 3
Heracles refuses the heroes’ offer to make him their leader.

Book I 3

Heracles

“Let no one offer this honour to me. For I will not consent, and I will forbid any other to stand up.

Book I 3
The heroes accept Jason as their leader for the expedition.

Book I 3

Jason

Thus he spake with high thoughts, and they assented, as Heracles bade; and warlike Jason himself rose up, glad at heart

Book I 3
Apollo promises through his oracle to guide Jason’s sea journey.

Book I 3 · 📍 [[Pytho]]

Apollo Jason

thou who didst promise me, when I sought thy oracle at Pytho, to show the fulfilment and goal of my journey

Book I 3
The heroes entrust Tiphys with steering the ship.

Book I 3

Tiphys

and with one consent they entrusted Tiphys with guarding the helm of the well-stemmed ship.

Book I 3
The Argonauts launch Argo into the sea and begin preparing for departure.

Book I 3 · 📍 [[Pagasae]]

Jason Tiphys

with one push started the ship from her place, and strained with their feet, forcing her onward; and Pelian Argo followed swiftly

Book I 4
Idmon foretells the Argonauts’ return with the fleece and his own death in Asia.

Book I 4

Idmon Jason

For you it is the will of heaven and destiny that ye shall return here with the fleece; but meanwhile both going and returning, countless trials await you. But it is my lot, by the hateful decree of a god, to die somewhere afar off on the mainland of Asia.

Book I 4
Ophion and Eurynome surrender sovereignty of Olympus to Cronos and Rhea.

Book I 4 · 📍 [[Olympus]]

Ophion Eurynome Cronos Rhea

how first of all Ophion and Eurynome, daughter of Ocean, held the sway of snowy Olympus, and how through strength of arm one yielded his prerogative to Cronos and the other to Rhea, and how they fell into the waves of Ocean

Book I 4
Athena equips Argo with a divine beam brought from Dodona.

Book I 4

Athena Jason

For in her a beam divine had been laid which Athena had brought from an oak of Dodona and fitted in the middle of the stem.

Book I 5
Hypsipyle spares Thoas and sends him adrift in a hollow chest.

Book I 5 · 📍 [[Lemnos]] · in the year gone by

Hypsipyle Thoas

And of all the women, Hypsipyle alone spared her aged father Thoas, who was king over the people; and she sent him in a hollow chest, to drift over the sea, if haply he should escape.

Book I 5
Oenoe bears Sicinus to Thoas, and the island is later renamed Sicinus.

Book I 5 · 📍 Oenoe

Oenoe Thoas Sicinus

but afterwards called Sicinus from Sicinus, whom the water-nymph Oenoe bore to Thoas.

Book I 5
Aethalides persuades Hypsipyle to receive the newcomers.

Book I 5 · 📍 [[Lemnos]] · as the day was waning into darkness

Aethalides Hypsipyle

He at that time persuaded Hypsipyle to receive the new-comers as the day was waning into darkness;

Book I 5
Hypsipyle summons the Lemnian women to an assembly.

Book I 5 · 📍 [[Lemnos]]

Hypsipyle

Now the Lemnian women fared through the city and sat down to the assembly, for Hypsipyle herself had so bidden.

Book I 5
Polyxo proposes entrusting homes, stock, and the city to the strangers.

Book I 5 · 📍 [[Lemnos]]

Polyxo

But I bid you who are younger give good heed to this. For now at your feet a way of escape lies open, if ye trust to the strangers the care of your homes and all your stock and your glorious city.

Book I 5
Hypsipyle decides to send a messenger to the ship.

Book I 5 · 📍 [[Lemnos]] · after the assembly

Hypsipyle

If this purpose please you all, now will I even send a messenger to the ship.

Book I 6
The Argonauts believe Thoas dead and recognize his daughter Hypsipyle as queen.

Book I 6

Thoas Hypsipyle

And they deemed that Thoas was dead and that his beloved daughter Hypsipyle was queen

Book I 6
Athena gives Jason a purple mantle and teaches him to measure Argo's timbers.

Book I 6

Athena Jason

Pallas had given him when she first laid the keel-props of the ship Argo and taught him how to measure timbers with the rule.

Book I 6
Atalanta gives Jason a spear, but Jason prevents her from joining the quest.

Book I 6 · 📍 [[Maenalus]]

Atalanta Jason

Atalanta gave him once as a gift of hospitality in Maenalus as she met him gladly; for she eagerly desired to follow on that quest; but he himself of his own accord prevented the maid

Book I 6
Hypsipyle offers Jason settlement and the prerogative of her father Thoas.

Book I 6

Hypsipyle Jason

Do ye therefore stay and settle with us; and shouldst thou desire to dwell here, and this finds favour with thee, assuredly thou shalt have the prerogative of my father Thoas;

Book I 6
Jason declines Hypsipyle's sovereignty and chooses to continue onward because of pressing trials.

Book I 6

Jason Hypsipyle

But let the sovereignty of the island be thine; it is not in scorn I yield it up, but grievous trials urge me on.

Book I 7
Heracles rebukes the Argonauts, prompting them to prepare their departure from Lemnos.

Book I 7 · 📍 [[Lemnos]] · just as they were in the assembly

Heracles Jason

But just as they were in the assembly they made ready their departure in all haste

Book I 7
Jason departs Lemnos after bidding farewell to Hypsipyle.

Book I 7 · 📍 [[Lemnos]]

Jason Hypsipyle

And Aeson’s son in admiration thus replied: “Hypsipyle, so may all these things prove propitious by the favour of the blessed gods.

Book I 7
Jason and the Argonauts reach Electra’s island to undergo its secret initiation rites.

Book I 7 · 📍 [[the island of Electra]] · in the evening

Jason Electra

in the evening by the injunctions of Orpheus they touched at the island of Electra, daughter of Atlas, in order that by gentle initiation they might learn the rites that may not be uttered

Book I 8
Heracles kills the Earthborn attackers blocking the harbour.

Book I 8 · 📍 [[Chytus]]

Heracles

But there Heracles had been left behind with the younger heroes and he quickly bent his back-springing bow against the monsters and brought them to earth one after another

Book I 8
The heroes kill several Doliones during the mistaken night battle.

Book I 8 · 📍 [[Sacred Rock]] · that same night

Heracles Telecles Megabrontes Acastus Sphodris Peleus Zelus Gephyrus

Heracles killed Telecles and Megabrontes, and Acastus slew Sphodris; and Peleus slew Zelus and Gephyrus.

Book I 8
Jason kills Cyzicus during the mistaken night battle.

Book I 8 · 📍 [[Sacred Rock]] · that very night

Jason Cyzicus

But Aeson’s son leapt upon him as he turned to face him, and smote him in the middle of the breast, and the bone was shattered round the spear

Book I 8
Telamon, Idas, and Clytius kill Basileus, Promeus, and Hyacinthus.

Book I 8 · 📍 [[Sacred Rock]] · that same night

Telamon Basileus Idas Promeus Clytius Hyacinthus

Telamon of the strong spear slew Basileus. And Idas slew Promeus, and Clytius Hyacinthus

Book I 8
Cleite dies by suicide after Cyzicus’s death.

Book I 8

Cleite

No, nor was his bride Cleite left behind her dead husband, but to crown the ill she wrought an ill yet more awful, when she clasped a noose round her neck.

Book I 8
Mopsus prophesies that propitiating the goddess will end the storm.

Book I 8 · 📍 [[Dindymum]] · In the next night

Mopsus Jason

Son of Aeson, thou must climb to this temple on rugged Dindymum and propitiate the mother of all the blessed gods on her fair throne, and the stormy blasts shall cease.

Book I 9
Argus son of Arestor fashions a sacred image of the mountain goddess.

Book I 9 · 📍 [[Dindymum]]

Argus son of Arestor

this they cut down, to be the sacred image of the mountain goddess; and Argus smoothed it skilfully

Book I 9
Rhea responds to the sacrifices with favorable signs and causes a spring to gush from Dindymum.

Book I 9 · 📍 [[Dindymum]]

Rhea

And the gracious goddess, I ween, inclined her heart to pious sacrifices; and favourable signs appeared. The trees shed abundant fruit, and round their feet the earth of its own accord put forth flowers from the tender grass. And the beasts of the wild wood left their lairs and thickets and came up fawning on them with their tails. And she caused yet another marvel; for hitherto there was no flow of water on Dindymum, but then for them an unceasing stream gushed forth from the thirsty peak just as it was

Book I 9
Heracles breaks his oar while rowing toward the Mysian mainland.

Book I 9 · 📍 [[Mysian mainland]]

Heracles

then Heracles, as he ploughed up the furrows of the roughened surge, broke his oar in the middle.

Book I 9
Heracles kills Theiodamas after Theiodamas resists surrendering an ox.

Book I 9

Heracles Theiodamas

goodly Theiodamas, whom the hero pitilessly slew among the Dryopians because he withstood him about an ox for the plough.

Book I 9
Heracles carries Hylas away from his father’s house and raises him.

Book I 9 · from his first childhood

Heracles Hylas

For in such ways did Heracles nurture him from his first childhood when he had carried him off from the house of his father

Book I 9
A water-nymph plunges Hylas into the spring while he draws water.

Book I 9 · 📍 [[Pegae]]

Hylas

straightway she laid her left arm above upon his neck yearning to kiss his tender mouth; and with her right hand she drew down his elbow, and plunged him into the midst of the eddy.

Book I 10
Hylas disappears after going to the well, prompting Polyphemus and Heracles to search for him.

Book I 10 · 📍 [[Pegae]]

Hylas Polyphemus Heracles

Hylas has gone to the well and has not returned safe, but robbers have attacked and are carrying him off, or beasts are tearing him to pieces; I heard his cry.

Book I 10
The Argonauts sail away, unknowingly abandoning Heracles and Polyphemus.

Book I 10 · the morning star rose above the topmost peaks

Heracles Polyphemus Jason Tiphys

But straightway the morning star rose above the topmost peaks and the breeze swept down; and quickly did Tiphys urge them to go aboard and avail themselves of the wind.

Book I 10
Glaucus foretells the separate destinies of Heracles, Polyphemus, and Hylas.

Book I 10

Glaucus Heracles Polyphemus Hylas

At Argos it is his fate to labour for insolent Eurystheus and to accomplish full twelve toils and dwell with the immortals, if so be that he bring to fulfilment a few more yet; wherefore let there be no vain regret for him. Likewise it is destined for Polyphemus to found a glorious city at the mouth of Cius among the Mysians and to fill up the measure of his fate in the vast land of the Chalybes. But a goddess-nymph through love has made Hylas her husband, on whose account those two wandered and were left behind.

Book I 10
Telamon apologizes to Jason, and they restore their friendship.

Book I 10

Telamon Jason

But let me give my fault to the winds and let our hearts be joined as before.”

Book I 10
Heracles threatens the Mysian land and secures an oath to continue searching for Hylas.

Book I 10 · 📍 [[Mysian land]] · at once

Heracles Hylas

And he threatened to lay waste the Mysian land at once, should they not discover for him the doom of Hylas, whether living or dead. And for him they gave pledges choosing out the noblest sons of the people and took an oath that they would never cease from their labour of search.

Book II 1
Polydeuces defeats Amycus in boxing, breaking his skull and killing him.

Book II 1

Polydeuces Amycus

and coming near and slipping his knee past the king’s, with a rush he struck him above the ear, and broke the bones inside, and the king in agony fell upon his knees; and the Minyan heroes shouted for joy; and his life was poured forth all at once.

Book II 1
Polydeuces kills Itymoneus by striking him beneath the breast with his foot.

Book II 1

Polydeuces Itymoneus

Polydeuces slew huge Itymoneus and Mimas. The one, with a sudden leap, he smote beneath the breast with his swift foot and threw him in the dust;

Book II 1
Polydeuces kills Mimas by striking above his eyebrow and tearing away his eye.

Book II 1

Polydeuces Mimas

as the other drew near he struck him with his right hand above the left eyebrow, and tore away his eyelid and the eyeball was left bare.

Book II 1
Oreides wounds Talaus in the side, but the blow does not kill him.

Book II 1

Oreides Talaus

But Oreides, insolent henchman of Amycus, wounded Talaus son of Bias in the side, but did not slay him

Book II 1
Aretus strikes Iphitus with a club during the fighting.

Book II 1

Aretus Iphitus

Likewise Aretus with well-seasoned club smote Iphitus, the steadfast son of Eurytus

Book II 2
Zeus punishes Phineus with lingering old age, blindness, and deprivation of food's enjoyment.

Book II 2 · aforetime

Zeus Phineus

Wherefore Zeus sent upon him a lingering old age, and took from his eyes the pleasant light, and suffered him not to have joy of the dainties untold

Book II 2
Zeus's oracle foretells that Phineus will enjoy food when the Argonauts arrive.

Book II 2

Zeus Phineus

at whose coming Zeus’ oracle had declared to him that he should have joy of his food.

Book II 2
Phineus foretells that the sons of Boreas will restrain the Harpies.

Book II 2

Phineus Boreas Zetes

These pests, the oracle declares, the sons of Boreas shall restrain.

Book II 2
Phineus recalls bringing Cleopatra home as his wife.

Book II 2 · when I ruled among the Thracians

Phineus Cleopatra

when I ruled among the Thracians, by my bridal gifts I brought home their sister Cleopatra to be my wife.

Book II 2
Zetes offers to help Phineus against the Harpies if Phineus swears they will retain heaven's favour.

Book II 2

Zetes Phineus

And we will never check the Harpies when they come, for all our desire, until thou hast sworn that for this we shall not lose the favour of heaven.

Book II 3
Zeus grants Zetes and Calais tireless strength to pursue the Harpies.

Book II 3

Zeus Zetes Calais

For Zeus imparted to them tireless strength;

Book II 3
Iris swears the Harpies will never again approach Phineus, ending the pursuit.

Book II 3 · 📍 [[Floating Islands]]

Iris Zetes Calais Phineus

With these words she took an oath by the waters of Styx, which to all the gods is most dread and most awful, that the Harpies would never thereafter again approach the home of Phineus, son of Agenor, for so it was fated. And the heroes yielding to the oath, turned back their flight to the ship.

Book II 3
Phineus foretells the Argonauts’ route through the twin Cyanean rocks and beyond.

Book II 3 · 📍 [[twin Cyanean rocks]]

Phineus

First of all, after leaving me, ye will see the twin Cyanean rocks where the two seas meet.

Book II 4
Otrere and Antiope build a stone temple of Ares on an island.

Book II 4 · what time they went forth to war

Otrere Antiope

In it the Queens of the Amazons, Otrere and Antiope, built a stone temple of Ares what time they went forth to war.

Book II 4
Zetes drives away the Harpies and prevents them from killing Phineus.

Book II 4

Zetes

telling them how far they had driven the Harpies and how his prevented their slaying them

Book II 4
Phineus foretells the Argonauts’ route through Pontus to the fleece guarded at Ares’ grove.

Book II 4

Phineus Jason

And beyond the island and opposite mainland dwell the Philyres: and above the Philyres are the Macrones, and after them the vast tribes of the Becheiri. And next in order to them dwell the Sapeires, and the Byzeres have the lands adjoining to them, and beyond them at last live the warlike Colchians themselves. But speed on in your ship, till ye touch the inmost bourne of the sea. And here at the Cytaean mainland and from the Amarantine mountains far away and the Circaean plain, eddying Phasis rolls his broad stream to the sea. Guide your ship to the mouth of that river and ye shall behold the towers of Cytaean Aeetes and the shady grove of Ares, where a dragon, a monster terrible to behold, ever glares around, keeping watch over the fleece that is spread upon the top of an oak; neither by day nor by night does sweet sleep subdue his restless eyes.

Book II 4
Phineus foretells divine guidance from Aea and urges reliance on the Cyprian goddess.

Book II 4

Phineus Jason

O son, when once thou hast escaped through the deadly rocks, fear not; for a deity will be the guide from Aea by another track; and to Aea there will be guides enough. But, my friends, take thought of the artful aid of the Cyprian goddess. For on her depends the glorious issue of your venture.

Book II 4
Phineus reveals Paraebius’s inherited curse and prescribes sacrifice to the Thynian nymph.

Book II 4

Phineus Paraebius

But he was paying the sad penalty of his father’s sin. For he when alone on the mountains, felling trees, once slighted the prayers of a Hamadryad, who wept and sought to soften him with plaintive words, not to cut down the stump of an oak tree coeval with herself, wherein for a long time she had lived continually; but he in the arrogance of youth recklessly cut it down. So to him the nymph thereafter made her death a curse, to him and to his children. I indeed knew of the sin when he came; and I bid him build an altar to the Thynian nymph, and offer on it an atoning sacrifice, with prayer to escape his father’s fate.

Book II 5
Apollo carries Cyrene away from Haemonia and places her among the nymphs of Libya.

Book II 5 · 📍 [[Libya]]

Apollo Cyrene

But, as she guarded her flock by the river, Apollo carried her off far from Haemonia and placed her among the nymphs of the land, who dwelt in Libya near the Myrtosian height.

Book II 5
Cyrene bears Aristaeus to Apollo.

Book II 5 · 📍 [[Libya]]

Apollo Cyrene Aristaeus

And here to Phoebus she bore Aristaeus whom the Haemonians, rich in corn-land, call “Hunter” and “Shepherd”.

Book II 5
Apollo brings the infant Aristaeus to Cheiron for nurturing.

Book II 5 · 📍 [[the cave of Cheiron]] · while still an infant

Apollo Aristaeus Cheiron

and his son he brought while still an infant to be nurtured in the cave of Cheiron.

Book II 5
Apollo summons Aristaeus to ward off pestilence, sending him from Phthia to Ceos.

Book II 5 · 📍 [[Ceos]] · when from heaven Sirius scorched the Minoan Isles

Apollo Aristaeus

then by the injunction of the Far-Darter they summoned Aristaeus to ward off the pestilence. And by his father’s command he left Phthia and made his home in Ceos

Book II 5
Pelias commands Jason to undertake the quest.

Book II 5

Pelias Jason

For I ought, when Pelias gave the command, to have straightway refused this quest to his face

Book II 5
Athena thrusts back the rocks and pushes Argo safely through them.

Book II 5

Athena Jason Tiphys

Then Athena with her left hand thrust back one mighty rock and with her right pushed the ship through; and she, like a winged arrow, sped through the air.

Book II 5
The Clashing Rocks become permanently fixed after the heroes pass through alive.

Book II 5 · at that moment

Jason Tiphys

And the rocks in one spot at that moment were rooted fast for ever to each other, which thing had been destined by the blessed gods, when a man in his ship should have passed between them alive.

Book II 5
Phineus foretells that the Argonauts’ remaining toils will be easily accomplished.

Book II 5

Phineus Jason

for Phineus, Agenor’s son, said that our toils hereafter would be lightly accomplished.

Book II 6
Apollo appears before the Argonauts as they land on Thynias.

Book II 6 · 📍 [[Thynias]] · the time when men wake and call it twilight

Apollo Jason

And to them the son of Leto, as he passed from Lycia far away to the countless folk of the Hyperboreans, appeared

Book II 6
The Argonauts build an altar and sacrifice to Apollo after his appearance.

Book II 6 · 📍 [[Thynias]]

Jason Orpheus Apollo

Thus he spake, and they straightway built up an altar with shingle

Book II 6
The heroes swear an oath to help one another with concord of heart.

Book II 6 · 📍 [[Thynias]]

Jason Orpheus

Now when they had celebrated him with dance and song they took an oath with holy libations, that they would ever help each other with concord of heart

Book II 6
Lycus and the Mariandyni make a league with the Argonauts after Amycus is slain.

Book II 6

Lycus Jason

but for that very deed they even made a league with the heroes

Book II 6
The Mariandyni welcome Polydeuces as a god after his victory over Amycus.

Book II 6

Lycus Polydeuces

And Polydeuces himself they welcomed as a god, flocking from every side

Book II 7
Heracles kills Titias in a boxing match.

Book II 7

Heracles Titias

he entered the lists with Titias in boxing and slew him, mighty Titias, who surpassed all the youths in beauty and strength; and he dashed his teeth to the ground.

Book II 7
Priolas is slain by the Mysians.

Book II 7

Priolas

when my brother Priolas was slain by the Mysians—my brother, whom ever since the people lament with most piteous dirges

Book II 7
Lycus sends Dascylus (son) with the Argonauts and gives them many gifts.

Book II 7 · at dawn

Lycus Dascylus (son)

But at dawn they hied down to the ship in haste; and with them went Lycus himself, when he had given them countless gifts to bear away; and with them he sent forth his son from his home.

Book II 7
Idmon is fatally wounded by a wild boar and dies in his comrades’ arms.

Book II 7

Idmon

but Idmon, now at the last gasp, his comrades bore to the ship in sorrow of heart, and he died in his comrades’ arms.

Book II 7
Tiphys dies from a short sickness and can sail no farther.

Book II 7

Tiphys

The tale goes that Tiphys son of Hagnias died; nor was it his destiny thereafter to sail any further. But him there on the spot a short sickness laid to rest far from his native land

Book II 7
Hera gives Ancaeus courage to continue the voyage.

Book II 7

Hera Ancaeus son of Poseidon

had not Hera kindled exceeding courage in Ancaeus

Book II 7
Ancaeus undertakes to guide the ship after the helmsmen die.

Book II 7

Ancaeus son of Poseidon

Thus he spake, but Ancaeus quickly undertook to guide the swift ship; for he was stirred by the impulse of the goddess.

Book II 8
Sthenelus dies after an arrow strikes him on the sea-beach.

Book II 8 · 📍 [[sea-beach]] · on his way back from the valorous war against the Amazons

Sthenelus

who on his way back from the valorous war against the Amazons—for he had been the comrade of Heracles—was struck by an arrow and died there upon the sea-beach.

Book II 8
Persephone sends Sthenelus’s spirit to behold the Argonauts.

Book II 8 · 📍 [[barrow]] · for a time

Persephone Sthenelus

for Persephone herself sent forth the spirit of Actor’s son which craved with many tears to behold men like himself, even for a moment.

Book II 8
Mopsus prophetically urges the Argonauts to land and propitiate Sthenelus.

Book II 8

Mopsus Sthenelus

and Mopsus, son of Ampycus, with word of prophecy urged them to land and propitiate him with libations.

Book II 8
Zeus grants Sinope her requested virginity after promising her any desire.

Book II 8 · 📍 [[Assyrian shore]] · straightway

Zeus Sinope

where Zeus himself gave a home to Sinope, daughter of Asopus, and granted her virginity, beguiled by his own promises.

Book II 8
Deileon, Autolycus, and Phlogius leave Assyria and join the Argonauts aboard ship.

Book II 8 · 📍 [[Assyrian shore]] · as soon as Argestes blew

Deileon Autolycus Phlogius

they wished to remain there no longer, but as soon as Argestes blew went on ship-board.

Book II 8
Heracles captures Melanippe; Hippolyte ransoms her, and he releases her unharmed.

Book II 8 · 📍 [[headland of the Amazons]] · Here once

Heracles Melanippe Hippolyte

Here once when Melanippe, daughter of Ares, had, gone forth, the hero Heracles caught her by ambuscade and Hippolyte gave him her glistening girdle as her sister’s ransom, and he sent away his captive unharmed.

Book II 8
An Ares-bird wounds Oileus, and Eribotes removes the feather and binds the wound.

Book II 8 · 📍 [[island of Ares]] · at dusk

Oileus Eribotes

It shook its wings down over the ship as she sped on and sent against her a keen feather, and it fell on the left shoulder of goodly Oileus, and he dropped his oar from his hands at the sudden blow, and his comrades marvelled at the sight of the winged bolt. And Eribotes from his seat hard by drew out the feather, and bound up the wound

Book II 8
Clytius shoots and kills the second bird of Ares attacking the ship.

Book II 8 · 📍 [[island of Ares]] · at dusk

Clytius

but the hero Clytius, son of Eurytus—for he bent his curved bow, and sped a swift arrow against the bird—struck it, and it whirled round and fell close to the ship.

Book II 9
A storm shatters the sons of Phrixus’ ship and carries them onto the island of Ares.

Book II 9 · 📍 [[island of Ares]] · in the murky night

Argus son of Phrixus Cytissorus Phrontis Melas

And the force of the wind had snatched away their sails and shattered in twain the hull, tossed as it was by the breakers.

Book II 9
Aeetes receives Phrixus and gives him Chalciope in marriage.

Book II 9 · 📍 [[Aea]]

Phrixus Aeetes Chalciope

And him did Aeetes receive in his palace, and with gladness of heart gave him his daughter Chalciope in marriage without gifts of wooing.

Book II 9
Phrixus dies aged in the home of Aeetes.

Book II 9 · at last

Phrixus

But Phrixus died at last, an aged man, in the home of Aeetes;

Book II 9
Jason recognizes the shipwrecked men as his relatives through Cretheus and Athamas.

Book II 9 · 📍 [[island of Ares]] · at sunrise

Jason Argus son of Phrixus Cytissorus Phrontis Melas

Surely ye are our kinsmen on my father’s side, and ye pray that with kindly hearts we succour your evil plight.

Book II 9
Jason provides clothing and aid to the shipwrecked sons of Phrixus.

Book II 9 · 📍 [[island of Ares]]

Jason Argus son of Phrixus Cytissorus Phrontis Melas

He spake, and out of the ship gave them raiment to put on.

Book II 9
Athena and Argus construct the Argo near the crest of Pelion.

Book II 9 · 📍 [[Pelion]]

Athena Argus son of Arestor

For our ship Athena built and with axe of bronze cut her timbers near the crest of Pelion, and with the goddess wrought Argus.

Book II 9
The sons of Phrixus meet the Argonauts after surviving the shipwreck.

Book II 9 · 📍 [[island of Ares]] · at sunrise

Argus son of Phrixus Cytissorus Phrontis Melas

and soon the two bands drew near and met each other, and Argus spoke first:

Book II 10
Zeus strikes Typhaon with a bolt after Typhaon raises his hands against him.

Book II 10

Zeus Typhaon

Typhaon, they say, smitten by the bolt of Zeus, son of Cronos, when he lifted against the god his sturdy hands, dropped from his head hot gore;

Book II 10
Cronos deceives Rhea, and Rhea discovers him with Philyra.

Book II 10 · what time in Olympus he reigned over the Titans

Cronos Rhea Philyra

Cronos, son of Uranus, what time in Olympus he reigned over the Titans, and Zeus was yet being nurtured in a Cretan cave by the Curetes of Ida, lay beside Philyra, when he had deceived Rhea; and the goddess found them in the midst of their dalliance;

Book II 10
Philyra gives birth to Cheiron after uniting with the transformed Cronos.

Book II 10 · 📍 [[long Pelasgian ridges]]

Cronos Philyra Cheiron

and Cronos leapt up from the couch with a rush in the form of a steed with flowing mane, but Ocean’s daughter, Philyra, in shame left the spot and those haunts, and came to the long Pelasgian ridges, where by her union with the transfigured deity she brought forth huge Cheiron, half like a horse, half like a god.

Book II 10
Jason and Argus son of Arestor reach the river Phasis.

Book II 10 · 📍 [[Phasis]] · at night

Jason Argus son of Phrixus

And at night, by the skill of Argus, they reached broad-flowing Phasis, and the utmost bourne of the sea.

Book III 1
Hera and Athena enlist Cypris to make Aeetes’ daughter love Jason.

Book III 1

Hera Athena Cypris

Come, let us go to Cypris; let both of us accost her and urge her to bid her son

Book III 1
Hera vows to deliver Jason and ensure Pelias pays for his outrage.

Book III 1 · 📍 [[Iolcus]]

Hera Jason Pelias

Him will I deliver, though he sail even to Hades to free Ixion below from his brazen chains

Book III 1
Cypris assigns Eros to charm Medea with love for Jason.

Book III 1 · 📍 [[Olympus]]

Cypris Eros Medea Jason

This I will give thee; and do thou strike with thy shaft and charm the daughter of Aeetes with love for Jason

Book III 2
Jason led a delegation toward Aeetes’ palace to negotiate for the golden fleece.

Book III 2 · 📍 [[Aeetes’ palace]]

Jason Telamon Augeias

And then he summoned to go with him the sons of Phrixus, and Telamon and Augeias; and himself took Hermes’ wand; and at once they passed forth from the ship beyond the reeds and the water to dry land, towards the rising ground of the plain.

Book III 2
Hera concealed Jason’s delegation from the Colchians with a thick mist.

Book III 2 · 📍 [[the city]]

Hera Jason

And as they went Hera with friendly thought spread a thick mist through the city, that they might fare to the palace of Aeetes unseen by the countless hosts of the Colchians.

Book III 2
Hephaestus fashioned bronze bulls and an adamant plough for Aeetes, honoring Helios.

Book III 2 · 📍 [[Aeetes’ palace]]

Hephaestus Aeetes Helios

And he wrought for him bulls with feet of bronze, and their mouths were of bronze, and from them they breathed out a terrible flame of fire; moreover he forged a plough of unbending adamant, all in one piece, in payment of thanks to Helios

Book III 2
Asterodeia bore Apsyrtus to Aeetes before Aeetes married Eidyia.

Book III 2

Asterodeia Aeetes Apsyrtus

Apsyrtus, son of Aeetes, whom a Caucasian nymph, Asterodeia, bare before he made Eidyia his wedded wife

Book III 2
Aeetes married Eidyia.

Book III 2

Aeetes Eidyia

before he made Eidyia his wedded wife

Book III 2
Hera detained Medea in the palace while the Argonauts arrived.

Book III 2 · 📍 [[Aeetes’ palace]] · within that day

Hera Medea

Medea then [they found] going from chamber to chamber in search of her sister, for Hera detained her within that day

Book III 3
Eros shoots Medea with an enchanted arrow, kindling consuming love for Jason.

Book III 3

Eros Medea

and drawing wide apart with both hands he shot at Medea; and speechless amazement seized her soul.

Book III 3
Argus son of Phrixus and his brothers are shipwrecked, then rescued and supplied by Jason’s expedition.

Book III 3 · 📍 [[isle of Enyalius]] · in the murky night

Argus son of Phrixus Jason

that ship forthwith stormy blasts tore asunder, and ourselves, crouching on the beams, a wave drove on to the beach of the isle of Enyalius in the murky night; and some god preserved us.

Book III 3
Argus reveals Jason’s mission to obtain the fleece and offers conquest of Aeetes’ enemies.

Book III 3 · 📍 [[Aea]]

Argus son of Phrixus Aeetes Jason

A certain king, vehemently longing to drive this man far from his fatherland and possessions, because in might he outshone all the sons of Aeolus, sends him to voyage hither on a bootless venture; and asserts that the stock of Aeolus will not escape the heart-grieving wrath and rage of implacable Zeus, nor the unbearable curse and vengeance due for Phrixus, until the fleece comes back to Hellas.

Book III 3
Aeetes rejects the visitors as conspirators and orders them to leave his land.

Book III 3 · 📍 [[Aea]]

Aeetes Jason Argus son of Phrixus

Begone from my sight, felons, straightway, ye and your tricks, from the land, ere someone see a fleece and a Phrixus to his sorrow.

Book III 4
Aeetes sets Jason a deadly contest, promising the fleece only if he yokes the bulls and defeats the earthborn men.

Book III 4 · 📍 [[plain of Ares]]

Aeetes Jason

And thou, if thou wilt accomplish such deeds as these, on that very day shalt carry off the fleece to the king’s palace; ere that time comes I will not give it, expect it not.

Book III 4
Jason accepts Aeetes’ contest despite its apparent certainty of death.

Book III 4

Jason Aeetes

Wherefore also I will dare that contest, monstrous as it is, though it be my doom to die.

Book III 4
Argus reveals Medea’s magical skill and proposes seeking her aid against the contest.

Book III 4

Argus son of Phrixus Jason Medea Hecate

There is a maiden, nurtured in the halls of Aeetes, whom the goddess Hecate taught to handle magic herbs with exceeding skill

Book III 5
Mopsus interprets the omen as a sign to seek the maiden’s aid.

Book III 5

Mopsus

And quickly Mopsus with prophetic words spake among them all: “For you, friends, this sign has been wrought by the will of heaven; in no other way is it possible to interpret its meaning better, than to seek out the maiden and entreat her with manifold skill.

Book III 5
Aeetes threatens to kill Jason, burn the Argo, and destroy its crew.

Book III 5

Aeetes Jason

And he threatened that when first the oxen should have torn in pieces the man who had taken upon him to perform the heavy task, he would hew down the oak grove above the wooded hill, and burn the ship and her crew, that so they might vent forth in ruin their grievous insolence, for all their haughty schemes.

Book III 5
Zeus sends Hermes so Phrixus will receive Aeetes’ friendly hospitality.

Book III 5

Zeus Hermes Phrixus Aeetes

Phrixus, who surpassed all strangers in gentleness and fear of the gods, had not Zeus himself sent Hermes his messenger down from heaven, so that he might meet with a friendly host;

Book III 5
Helios prophesies that Aeetes must beware treachery from his own offspring.

Book III 5

Helios Aeetes

for once he had heard a baleful prophecy from his father Helios, that he must avoid the secret treachery and schemes of his own offspring and their crafty mischief.

Book III 5
In a dream, Medea chooses Jason over her parents.

Book III 5

Medea Jason

And she thought that the stranger had taken on him the contest, not because he longed to win the ram’s fleece, and that he had not come on that account to Aeetes’ city, but to lead her away, his wedded wife, to his own home; and she dreamed that herself contended with the oxen and wrought the task with exceeding ease; and that her own parents set at naught their promise, for it was not the maiden they had challenged to yoke the oxen but the stranger himself; from that arose a contention of doubtful issue between her father and the strangers; and both laid the decision upon her, to be as she should direct in her mind. But she suddenly, neglecting her parents, chose the stranger.

Book III 6
Medea pledges to help Chalciope save her sons and keep their plan secret.

Book III 6

Chalciope Medea

Be witness that mighty oath of the Colchians by which thou urgest me to swear, the great Heaven, and Earth beneath, mother of the gods, that as far as strength lies in me, never shalt thou fail of help, if only thy prayers can be accomplished.

Book III 6
Medea promises to bring charms that will help Jason overcome the bulls.

Book III 6 · 📍 [[Hecate’s temple]] · at dawn

Medea Jason

But go, bury my kindness in silence, so that I may carry out my promise unknown to my parents; and at dawn I will bring to Hecate’s temple charms to cast a spell upon the bulls.

Book III 6
Hera turns Medea from suicide and renews her resolve to aid Jason.

Book III 6 · suddenly

Hera Medea

And she put the casket again from off her knees, all changed by the prompting of Hera, and no more did she waver in purpose; but longed for the rising dawn to appear quickly, that she might give him the charms to work the spell as she had promised, and meet him face to face.

Book III 7
Medea takes the protective charm of Prometheus from its casket and places it in her girdle.

Book III 7 · 📍 [[palace]]

Medea

And she brought the charm forth and placed it in the fragrant band which engirdled her, just beneath her bosom, divinely fair.

Book III 7
Medea reveals her plan to summon Jason privately, rescue him, and give him a baleful charm.

Book III 7 · 📍 [[shrine of Hecate]] · that very hour

Medea Jason

As for yon stranger who took on him the task with the oxen, they bid me receive his gifts and rescue him from the deadly contest. And I approved their counsel, and I have summoned him to come to my presence apart from his comrades, so that we may divide the gifts among ourselves if he bring them in his hands, and in return may give him a baleful charm.

Book III 7
Hera transforms Jason’s appearance and manner, making him exceptionally attractive and compelling.

Book III 7 · on that day

Hera Jason

Never yet had there been such a man in the days of old, neither of all the heroes of the lineage of Zeus himself, nor of those who sprung from the blood of the other gods, as on that day the bride of Zeus made Jason, both to look upon and to hold converse with.

Book III 7
Hera counsels Mopsus that Medea must meet Jason without strangers nearby.

Book III 7

Hera Mopsus

What a pitiful seer is this, that has not the wit to conceive even what children know, how that no maiden will say a word of sweetness or love to a youth when strangers be near.

Book III 7
Mopsus foretells that Cypris will help Jason win Medea’s aid in the contest.

Book III 7 · 📍 [[temple]]

Mopsus Jason Cypris

Do thou, son of Aeson, pass on to the temple, where thou wilt find the maiden; and very kind will her greeting be to thee through the prompting of Cypris, who will be thy helpmate in the contest, even as Phineus, Agenor’s son, foretold.

Book III 8
Medea gives Jason the protective charm he needs for the contest.

Book III 8

Jason Medea

And forth from her fragrant girdle ungrudgingly she brought out the charm; and he at once received it in his hands with joy.

Book III 8
Medea instructs Jason in the rites and tactics needed to survive Aeetes’ contests.

Book III 8

Medea Jason

Take heed now, that I may devise help for thee.

Book III 8
Jason and Medea fall into mutual love during their meeting.

Book III 8

Jason Medea

so wonderfully did love flash forth a sweet flame from the golden head of Aeson’s son; and he captivated her gleaming eyes;

Book III 8
Ariadne rescues Theseus from deadly contests and leaves her homeland aboard his ship.

Book III 8 · In days past

Ariadne Theseus

In days past the maiden Ariadne, daughter of Minos, with kindly intent rescued Theseus from grim contests—the maiden whom Pasiphae daughter of Helios bare. But she, when Minos had lulled his wrath to rest, went aboard the ship with him and left her fatherland;

Book III 8
Pasiphae bears Ariadne.

Book III 8

Pasiphae Ariadne

the maiden whom Pasiphae daughter of Helios bare.

Book III 8
Prometheus begets Deucalion, who later founds cities and temples.

Book III 8

Prometheus Deucalion

where Prometheus, son of Iapetus, begat goodly Deucalion, who first founded cities and reared temples to the immortal gods, and first ruled over men.

Book III 8
Minyas builds the city of Orchomenus.

Book III 8 · 📍 [[Orchomenus]] · long ago

Minyas

there is a story that Minyas starting thence, Minyas son of Aeolus, built long ago the city of Orchomenus that borders on the Cadmeians.

Book III 9
Jason promises Medea honor in Hellas and a lifelong marriage.

Book III 9

Jason Medea

And in our bridal chamber shalt thou prepare our couch; and nothing shall come between our love till the doom of death fold us round.

Book III 9
Hera devises Medea’s coming to Ioleus as a bane to Pelias.

Book III 9 · 📍 [[Ioleus]]

Hera Medea Pelias

For thus Hera devised it, that Aeaean Medea might come to Ioleus for a bane to Pelias, forsaking her native land.

Book III 9
Jason reveals Medea’s counsels and dread charm to the assembled Argonauts.

Book III 9

Jason Medea

And he told to all the counsels of the maiden and showed the dread charm

Book III 9
Aeetes gives Telamon and Aethalides the dragon’s teeth for Jason’s contest.

Book III 9 · at daybreak

Aeetes Telamon Aethalides

So they went and made no vain journey; but when they came, lordly Aeetes gave them for the contest the fell teeth of the Aonian dragon

Book III 9
Cadmus slays the spring’s dragon, guided by Apollo, then sows its teeth and Ares reaps the survivors.

Book III 9 · 📍 [[Ogygian Thebes]]

Cadmus Apollo Ares

Cadmus found in Ogygian Thebes when he came seeking for Europa and there slew the—warder of the spring of Ares.

Book III 9
Jason sacrifices to Hecate Brimo, who answers his invocation and comes to the sacrifice.

Book III 9

Jason Hecate Brimo

And when he had called on her he drew back; and she heard him, the dread goddess, from the uttermost depths and came to the sacrifice of Aeson’s son

Book III 9
Aeetes arms himself and drives from the city to witness the contest.

Book III 9

Aeetes Apsyrtus

Then from the city he drove along the broad highway, that he might be present at the contest

Book III 10
Iason applies Medea’s charm and gains extraordinary strength and courage.

Book III 10

Medea Jason

And then he sprinkled his body, and terrible prowess entered into him, unspeakable, dauntless; and his hands on both sides thrilled vigorously as they swelled with strength.

Book III 10
Iason withstands the fire-breathing bulls and forces both onto their knees.

Book III 10 · 📍 [[plain of Ares]]

Jason

So also he threw the other bull on to its knees as it rushed upon him, and smote it down with one blow.

Book III 10
Iason yokes the subdued bulls to the bronze plough.

Book III 10 · 📍 [[plain of Ares]]

Jason

Then tightly did he bind their necks; and lifting the pole of bronze between them, he fastened it to the yoke by its golden tip.

Book III 11
Jason uses Medea’s counsel to make the Earthborn warriors slaughter one another and then kills many himself.

Book III 11 · 📍 [[plot of Ares]]

Jason Medea

But Jason bethought him of the counsels of Medea full of craft, and seized from the plain a huge round boulder, a terrible quoit of Ares Enyalius; four stalwart youths could not have raised it from the ground even a little. Taking it in his hands he threw it with a rush far away into their midst; and himself crouched unseen behind his shield, with full confidence. And the Colchians gave a loud cry, like the roar of the sea when it beats upon sharp crags; and speechless amazement seized Aeetes at the rush of the sturdy quoit. And the Earthborn, like fleet-footed hounds, leaped upon one another and slew with loud yells; and on earth their mother they fell beneath their own spears, likes pines or oaks, which storms of wind beat down. And even as a fiery star leaps from heaven, trailing a furrow of light, a portent to men, whoever see it darting with a gleam through the dusky sky; in such wise did Aeson’s son rush upon the earthborn men, and he drew from the sheath his bare sword, and smote here and there, mowing them down

Book IV 1
Hera drives Medea to flee with the sons of Phrixus instead of killing herself.

Book IV 1 · that very day

Hera Medea

There on that very day the maiden would have tasted the drugs and perished and so have made void the purposes of Hera, had not the goddess driven her, all bewildered, to flee with the sons of Phrixus

Book IV 1
Medea leaves her home and a lock of hair as a farewell memorial for Chalciope.

Book IV 1 · that very day

Medea Chalciope

she left it in the chamber for her mother, a memorial of her maidenhood

Book IV 1
Medea reaches the heroes and asks them to save her from Aeetes and take her aboard.

Book IV 1

Medea Jason Argus son of Phrixus Phrontis

Save me, the hapless one, my friends, from Aeetes, and yourselves too, for all is brought to light, nor doth any remedy come. But let us flee upon the ship

Book IV 1
Jason vows before Zeus and Hera to make Medea his wedded wife in Hellas.

Book IV 1

Jason Medea Hera Zeus

I will set thee in my halls my own wedded wife, when we have reached the land of Hellas on our return.

Book IV 1
The Argonauts take Medea aboard and push the ship from shore to seize the golden fleece.

Book IV 1 · while it was still night

Medea Jason Argus son of Phrixus Phrontis

For they took her on board, and straightway thrust the ship from shore

Book IV 2
Medea charms the guardian serpent into sleep.

Book IV 2 · 📍 [[grove of Ares]]

Medea

But she with a newly cut spray of juniper, dipping and drawing untempered charms from her mystic brew, sprinkled his eyes, while she chanted her song; and all around the potent scent of the charm cast sleep; and on the very spot he let his jaw sink down

Book IV 2
Jason seizes the golden fleece from the sacred oak.

Book IV 2 · 📍 [[grove of Ares]]

Jason

Hereupon Jason snatched the golden fleece from the oak, at the maiden bidding;

Book IV 2
Jason announces that he will bring Medea home as his wedded wife.

Book IV 2 · Dawn was spreading over the earth

Jason Medea

Her—for such is her will—I will bring home to be my wedded wife; do ye preserve her, the glorious saviour of all Achaea and of yourselves.

Book IV 2
Jason cuts the ship’s hawsers and begins the return voyage with the fleece.

Book IV 2

Jason

And he drew his sword from the sheath and cut the hawsers at the stern.

Book IV 2
Aeetes orders his people to seize Medea and bring her back for vengeance.

Book IV 2

Aeetes Medea

that unless they should with their own hands seize the maiden, either on the land or still finding the ship on the swell of the open sea, and bring her back, that so he might satisfy his eager soul with vengeance for all those deeds, at the cost of their own lives they should learn and abide all his rage and revenge.

Book IV 2
Hera arranges a swift wind to help Medea reach the Pelasgian land.

Book IV 2

Hera Medea

Swiftly the wind blew, as the goddess Hera planned, so that most quickly Aeaean Medea might reach the Pelasgian land

Book IV 3
The Minyae and Colchians covenant to yield the fleece but place Medea under Artemis’s ward pending judgment.

Book IV 3 · at that time

Aeetes Medea Artemis

as to the golden fleece, that since Aeetes himself had so promised them if they should fulfill the contests, they should keep it as justly won, whether they carried it off by craft or even openly in the king’s despite; but as to Medea—for that was the cause of strife—that they should give her in ward to Leto’s daughter apart from the throng

Book IV 4
Jason and Medea agree to lure Apsyrtus into an ambush and kill him.

Book IV 4

Jason Medea Apsyrtus

So they two agreed and prepared a great web of guile for Apsyrtus

Book IV 4
Hypsipyle gives Jason a sacred robe as a guest-gift.

Book IV 4

Hypsipyle Jason

and she gave that fair-wrought guest-gift with many another marvel to Aeson’s son to wear.

Book IV 4
Jason ambushes and kills Apsyrtus beside the temple of Artemis.

Book IV 4 · 📍 [[island of Artemis]] · in dark night

Jason Apsyrtus

And Jason marked him and struck him down, as a butcher strikes down a mighty strong-horned bull, hard by the temple which the Brygi on the mainland opposite had once built for Artemis.

Book IV 4
Medea signals pursuit, and Jason and the heroes slaughter the Colchian host.

Book IV 4 · as soon as the heroes saw the blaze of a torch

Jason Medea

they laid their own ship near the Colchian ship, and they slaughtered the Colchian host

Book IV 4
Peleus orders an evasive embarkation, and the heroes sail to the sacred isle of Electra.

Book IV 4 · 📍 [[the sacred isle of Electra]] · while it is still night

Peleus Jason

I now bid you embark while it is still night, and take with your oars the passage opposite to that which the enemy guards

Book IV 4
Hera stops the Colchians from pursuing Argo with terrifying lightning.

Book IV 4

Hera

But Hera restrained them by terrible lightnings from the sky.

Book IV 5
Phoebus gave Jason two tripods to carry during his voyage.

Book IV 5 · at the time when he went to sacred Pytho

Apollo Jason

For tripods twain had Phoebus given to Aeson’s son to carry afar in the voyage he had to make, at the time when he went to sacred Pytho to enquire about this very voyage

Book IV 5
Melite bore Hyllus to Heracles.

Book IV 5 · 📍 [[land of the Phaeacians]]

Melite Heracles Hyllus

For he came to the abode of Nausithous and to Macris, the nurse of Dionysus, to cleanse himself from the deadly murder of his children; here he loved and overcame the water nymph Melite, the daughter of the river Aegaeus, and she bare mighty Hyllus.

Book IV 5
The Mentores slew Hyllus while he fought for his field’s oxen.

Book IV 5 · 📍 [[Cronian sea]]

Mentores Hyllus

and there he settled, and the Mentores slew him as he was fighting for the oxen of his field.

Book IV 5
Poseidon carried Corcyra away and settled her on the island.

Book IV 5 · 📍 Corcyra

Poseidon Corcyra

Next after them they came to Corcyra, where Poseidon settled the daughter of Asopus, fair-haired Corcyra, far from the land of Phlius, whence he had carried her off through love

Book IV 5
Zeus ordained that Circe cleanse the Argonauts from Apsyrtus’s murder before their return.

Book IV 5 · When Apsyrtus had fallen in mighty overthrow

Zeus Circe Apsyrtus

When Apsyrtus had fallen in mighty overthrow Zeus himself, king of gods, was seized with wrath at what they had done. And he ordained that by the counsels of Aeaean Circe they should cleanse themselves from the terrible stain of blood and suffer countless woes before their return.

Book IV 5
The speaking beam foretold that Circe must purge Apsyrtus’s murder and commanded prayers to find her.

Book IV 5

Polydeuces Castor Circe

For it proclaimed that they should not escape the paths of an endless sea nor grievous tempests, unless Circe should purge away the guilt of the ruthless murder of Apsyrtus; and it bade Polydeuces and Castor pray to the immortal gods first to grant a path through the Ausonian sea where they should find Circe, daughter of Perse and Helios.

Book IV 5
Hera stirred storm-winds that drove the Argonauts back to Electra.

Book IV 5 · 📍 [[rocky isle of Electra]]

Hera Jason

And she devised an ending of their voyage and stirred up storm-winds before them, by which they were caught and borne back to the rocky isle of Electra.

Book IV 5
Hera halted the Argonauts from entering a perilous ocean gulf and turned them onto their ordained route.

Book IV 5 · 📍 [[Hercynian rock]]

Hera Jason

But Hera leaping forth from heaven pealed her cry from the Hercynian rock; and all together were shaken with fear of her cry; for terribly crashed the mighty firmament. And backward they turned by reason of the goddess, and noted the path by which their return was ordained.

Book IV 6
Circe performs a cleansing sacrifice for Jason and Medea after Apsyrtus’s murder.

Book IV 6 · 📍 [[Aeaea]]

Circe Jason Medea Apsyrtus

Wherefore in reverence for the ordinance of Zeus, the god of suppliants, who is a god of wrath yet mightily aids slayers of men, she began to offer the sacrifice with which ruthless suppliants are cleansed from guilt when they approach the altar.

Book IV 6
Circe discerns Medea’s concealed involvement in Apsyrtus’s murder.

Book IV 6 · 📍 [[Aeaea]]

Circe Medea Jason Apsyrtus

So Medea told her all she asked—the daughter of Aeetes of the gloomy heart, speaking gently in the Colchian tongue, both of the quest and the journeyings of the heroes, and of their toils in the swift contests, and how she had sinned through the counsels of her much-sorrowing sister, and how with the sons of Phrixus she had fled afar from the tyrannous horrors of her father; but she shrank from telling of the murder of Apsyrtus. Yet she escaped not Circe’s ken;

Book IV 6
Circe refuses further aid and orders Medea to leave with Jason.

Book IV 6 · 📍 [[Aeaea]]

Circe Medea Jason

But since thou art my suppliant and my kinswoman, no further ill shall I devise against thee at thy coming; but begone from my halls, companioning the stranger, whosoever he be, this unknown one that thou hast taken in thy father’s despite; and kneel not to me at my hearth, for never will I approve thy counsels and thy shameful flight.

Book IV 6
Jason leads Medea away, and they leave Circe’s home.

Book IV 6 · 📍 [[Aeaea]]

Medea Jason Circe

Thus she spake, and measureless anguish seized the maid; and over her eyes she cast her robe and poured forth a lamentation, until the hero took her by the hand and led her forth from the hall quivering with fear. So they left the home of Circe.

Book IV 6
Hera dispatches Iris to secure favorable winds for the Argonauts’ passage.

Book IV 6

Hera Iris Aeolus

Then go to Aeolus too, Aeolus who rules the winds, children of the clear sky; and to him also tell my purpose so that he may make all winds cease under heaven and no breeze may ruffle the sea; yet let the breath of the west wind blow until the heroes have reached the Phaeacian isle of Alcinous.

Book IV 6
Iris delivers Hera’s orders to Aeolus concerning the winds.

Book IV 6

Iris Aeolus Hera

And thirdly she came to Aeolus, the famous son of Hippotas. And when she had given her message to him also and rested her swift knees from her course

Book IV 7
Themis reveals Thetis’s fate to Zeus, causing him to abandon his pursuit of her.

Book IV 7

Themis Zeus Thetis

until reverend Themis declared to him the whole truth, how that it was thy fate to bear a son mightier than his sire; wherefore he gave thee up

Book IV 7
Hera gives Thetis Peleus as husband and celebrates their marriage.

Book IV 7

Hera Thetis Peleus

But I gave thee the best of the sons of earth to be thy husband, that thou mightest find a marriage dear to thy heart and bear children; and I summoned to the feast the gods, one and all.

Book IV 7
Hera foretells that Achilles will marry Medea in the Elysian plain.

Book IV 7

Hera Achilles Medea

When thy son shall come to the Elysian plain, he whom now in the home of Cheiron the Centaur water-nymphs are tending, though he still craves thy mother milk, it is fated that he be the husband of Medea, Aeetes’ daughter

Book IV 7
Thetis summons the Nereids to help guide the heroes’ ship through the dangerous rocks.

Book IV 7 · 📍 [[Ausonian sea]]

Thetis

And she called to aid her the rest of the Nereids, her own sisters; and they heard her and gathered together; and Thetis declared to them Hera’s behests, and quickly sped them all on their way to the Ausonian sea.

Book IV 7
Thetis instructs Peleus to depart and conceal her presence from the other heroes.

Book IV 7 · 📍 [[Aeaean beach]] · at dawn

Thetis Peleus

No longer now must ye stay sitting on the Tyrrhenian beach, but at dawn loosen the hawsers of your swift ship, in obedience to Hera, your helper.

Book IV 7
Peleus interrupts Thetis’s attempt to make Achilles immortal, causing her angry departure.

Book IV 7

Thetis Achilles Peleus

But Peleus leapt up from his bed and saw his dear son gasping in the flame; and at the sight he uttered a terrible cry, fool that he was; and she heard it, and catching up the child threw him screaming to the ground, and herself like a breath of wind passed swiftly from the hall as a dream and leapt into the sea, exceeding wroth, and thereafter returned not again.

Book IV 7
Orpheus’s lyre overcomes the Sirens’ song and prevents the heroes from landing.

Book IV 7 · 📍 [[Anthemoessa]]

Orpheus

had not Thracian Orpheus, son of Oeagrus, stringing in his hands his Bistonian lyre, rung forth the hasty snatch of a rippling melody so that their ears might be filled with the sound of his twanging; and the lyre overcame the maidens’ voice.

Book IV 7
Butes swims toward the Sirens, but Cypris rescues him and carries him to the Lilybean height.

Book IV 7 · 📍 [[Lilybean height]]

Butes Cypris

Quickly would they have robbed him of his return then and there, but the goddess that rules Eryx, Cypris, in pity snatched him away, while yet in the eddies, and graciously meeting him saved him to dwell on the Lilybean height.

Book IV 8
Thetis guides the Argo through the Wandering rocks with help from the Nereids.

Book IV 8 · 📍 [[Wandering rocks]]

Thetis Jason

behind, lady Thetis set her hand to the rudder-blade, to guide them amid the Wandering rocks

Book IV 8
Alcinous and the Phaeacians welcome the Argonauts with sacrifices and celebration.

Book IV 8 · 📍 [[Drepane]]

Alcinous Jason

And Alcinous and his people with kindly sacrifice gladly welcomed their coming

Book IV 8
The Colchians demand to take Medea back to Aeetes or begin a war.

Book IV 8 · 📍 [[Drepane]]

Medea Aeetes

They desired forthwith to carry off Medea to her father’s house apart from the rest, or else they threatened with fierce cruelty to raise the dread war-cry

Book IV 8
Alcinous restrains the Colchians and prevents an immediate battle over Medea.

Book IV 8 · 📍 [[Drepane]]

Alcinous Medea Jason

But lordly Alcinous checked them amid their eagerness for war

Book IV 9
Alcinous decrees Medea will be returned unless married, but protected if she shares Jason’s bed.

Book IV 9

Alcinous Medea Jason

If she be yet a maid I decree that they carry her back to her father; but if she shares a husband’s bed, I will not separate her from her lord

Book IV 9
Jason and Medea are wed in the sacred cave to prevent her return to Colchis.

Book IV 9 · 📍 [[sacred cave of Medea]] · that very night

Jason Medea

And for that very night prepared for the maiden the bridal couch in the sacred cave

Book IV 9
Hera drives Macris from the whole island in anger.

Book IV 9 · 📍 [[Abantian Euboea]]

Hera Macris

And Hera beheld it, and in wrath drove her from the whole island.

Book IV 10
Hera sends a true report of the heroes’ arrival to the Phaeacians.

Book IV 10

Hera

for Hera had sent forth a true report.

Book IV 10
Alcinous proclaims Medea’s marriage completed and upholds his judgment despite Aeetes’ wrath.

Book IV 10

Alcinous Medea Aeetes

and the completion of the marriage had been proclaimed, he took care that thus it should abide fixed; and no deadly fear touched him nor Aeetes’ grievous wrath

Book IV 10
Alcinous receives the Colchians as comrades after they abandon their futile appeal.

Book IV 10

Alcinous

then they began to dread the threats of their own king and besought Alcinous to receive them as comrades

Book IV 10
Arete gives Medea twelve Phaeacian handmaids from the palace.

Book IV 10

Arete Medea

moreover she gave Medea twelve Phaeacian handmaids from the palace, to bear her company.

Book IV 10
Medea builds altars that continue receiving yearly sacrifices.

Book IV 10

Medea

And still the altars which Medea built on the spot sacred to Apollo, god of shepherds, receive yearly sacrifices

Book IV 11
The heroine-nymphs instruct Jason to rouse his comrades and repay their mother’s travail.

Book IV 11

Jason

Up then; be not thus afflicted in thy misery, and rouse thy comrades. And when Amphitrite has straightway loosed Poseidon’s swift-wheeled car, then do ye pay to your mother a recompense for all her travail when she bare you so long in her womb; and so ye may return to the divine land of Achaea.”

Book IV 11
A monstrous horse leaps from the sea as a portent for the Minyae.

Book IV 11 · at once

Jason Poseidon

From the sea to the land leapt forth a monstrous horse, of vast size, with golden mane tossing round his neck; and quickly from his limbs he shook off abundant spray and started on his course, with feet like the wind.

Book IV 11
The heroes carry the Argo across Libya and set her down at the Tritonian lake.

Book IV 11 · 📍 [[Tritonian lake]] · twelve days and nights alike

Jason

by your might and your valour over the desert sands of Libya raised high aloft on your shoulders the ship and all that ye brought therein, and bare her twelve days and nights alike. Yet who could tell the pain and grief which they endured in that toil? Surely they were of the blood of the immortals, such a task did they take on them, constrained by necessity. How forward and how far they bore her gladly to the waters of the Tritonian lake! How they strode in and set her down from their stalwart shoulders!

Book IV 11
Heracles strikes Ladon, leaving the serpent lifeless beside the apple-tree.

Book IV 11 · 📍 [[garden of Atlas]] · till yesterday

Heracles Ladon

but they came to the sacred plain where Ladon, the serpent of the land, till yesterday kept watch over the golden apples in the garden of Atlas; and all around the nymphs, the Hesperides, were busied, chanting their lovely song. But at that time, stricken by Heracles, he lay fallen by the trunk of the apple-tree; only the tip of his tail was still writhing; but from his head down his dark spine he lay lifeless

Book IV 11
The Hesperides transform into dust when the heroes approach.

Book IV 11 · 📍 [[garden of Atlas]] · at their quick approach

Hesperides

and the heroes drew near suddenly; but the maidens, at their quick approach, at once became dust and earth where they stood.

Book IV 12
Hespere, Eretheis, and Aegle were transformed into trees.

Book IV 12

Hespere Eretheis Aegle

Hespere became a poplar and Eretheis an elm, and Aegle a willow’s sacred trunk.

Book IV 12
Heracles killed the guardian serpent and created a spring by striking a rock.

Book IV 12 · 📍 [[Tritonian lake]] · yesterday

Heracles

he shot and killed this monster here. So he too came, as one traversing the land on foot, parched with thirst; and he rushed wildly through this spot, searching for water, but nowhere was he like to see it. Now here stood a rock near the Tritonian lake; and of his own device, or by the prompting of some god, he smote it below with his foot; and the water gushed out in full flow.

Book IV 12
Heracles founded a city among the Mysians.

Book IV 12

Heracles

But that hero had founded a glorious city among the Mysians

Book IV 12
Caphaurus killed Canthus with a stone while defending his sheep.

Book IV 12 · 📍 [[Libya]] · that day

Canthus Caphaurus

a shepherd who, in defence of his own sheep, while thou weft leading them off to thy comrades in their need, slew thee by the cast of a stone

Book IV 12
The Argonaut chieftains killed Caphaurus in revenge for Canthus.

Book IV 12

Caphaurus

But he escaped not the chieftains’ avenging hands, when they learned the deed he had done.

Book IV 12
The Argonauts buried Canthus and performed funeral rites for him.

Book IV 12 · afterwards

Canthus

the Minyae, when they knew it, afterwards took up the corpse and buried it in the earth, mourning; and the sheep they took with them.

Book IV 12
Mopsus died after a serpent bit his leg and its poison overcame him.

Book IV 12 · 📍 [[Libya]] · on the same day

Mopsus

Straightway his heavy limbs sank helplessly to the ground and he grew cold; and his comrades and the hero, Aeson’s son, gathered round, marvelling at the close-coming doom.

Book IV 13
Triton instructs Jason to steer along the coast toward the sea and Pelops.

Book IV 13

Triton Jason

but hold to the right, when ye have entered the swell of the sea from the lake, and steer your course hugging the land, as long as it trends to the north

Book IV 13
Triton guides Argo from the lake into the sea.

Book IV 13

Triton Jason

And he guided Argo on until he sped her into the sea on her course

Book IV 13
Zeus gives Talos to Europa as Crete’s warder.

Book IV 13 · 📍 [[Crete]]

Zeus Talos Europa

and the son of Cronos gave him to Europa to be the warder of Crete

Book IV 13
Medea defeats Talos, who collapses after his ankle is pierced.

Book IV 13 · 📍 [[Crete]]

Medea Talos

So Talos, for all his frame of bronze, yielded the victory to the might of Medea the sorceress. And as he was heaving massy rocks to stay them from reaching the haven, he grazed his ankle on a pointed crag; and the ichor gushed forth like melted lead; and not long thereafter did he stand towering on the jutting cliff. But even as some huge pine, high up on the mountains, which woodmen have left half hewn through by their sharp axes when they returned from the forest—at first it shivers in the wind by night, then at last snaps at the stump and crashes down; so Talos for a while stood on his tireless feet, swaying to and fro, when at last, all strengthless, fell with a mighty thud.

Book IV 14
Phoebus reveals Anaphe, saving the heroes from the Pall of Darkness.

Book IV 14 · 📍 [[Melantian rocks]] · straightway

Jason Apollo

And to their sight appeared a small island of the Sporades, over against the tiny isle Hippuris, and there they cast anchor and stayed; and straightway dawn arose and gave them light; and they made for Apollo a glorious abode in a shady wood, and a shady altar, calling on Phoebus the “Gleamer”, because of the gleam far-seen; and that bare island they called Anaphe, for that Phoebus had revealed it to men sore bewildered.

Book IV 14
In a dream, Euphemus learns that Triton’s daughter will prepare a home for his descendants.

Book IV 14 · the night

Euphemus Triton

For it seemed to him that the god-given clod of earth held in his palm close to his breast was being suckled by white streams of milk, and that from it, little though it was, grew a woman like a virgin; and he, overcome by strong desire, lay with her in love’s embrace; and united with her he pitied her, as though she were a maiden whom he was feeding with his own milk; but she comforted him with gentle words: “Daughter of Triton am I, dear friend, and nurse of thy children, no maiden; Triton and Libya are my parents. But restore me to the daughters of Nereus to dwell in the sea near Anaphe; I shall return again to the light of the sun, to prepare a home for thy descendants.”

Book IV 14
Jason interprets Euphemus’s dream as a prophecy of an island for his descendants.

Book IV 14

Jason Euphemus Triton

And Jason pondered a prophecy of the Far-Darter and lifted up his voice and said: “My friend, great and glorious renown has fallen to thy lot. For of this clod when thou hast cast it into the sea, the gods will make an island, where thy children’s children shall dwell; for Triton gave this to thee as a stranger’s gift from the Libyan mainland. None other of the immortals it was than he that gave thee this when he met thee.”

Book IV 14
Euphemus casts Triton’s clod into the sea, and the island Calliste rises.

Book IV 14

Euphemus

Thus he spake; and Euphemus made not vain the answer of Aeson’s son; but, cheered by the prophecy, he cast the clod into the depths. Therefrom rose up an island, Calliste, sacred nurse of the sons of Euphemus

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