Phrontis

Family: Phrixus' sons · Role: son of Phrixus · First appears: Book II 9

Phrontis is a son of Phrixus and Chalciope, and a brother of Cytissorus, Melas, and Argus. After Phrixus died in Aeetes’ home, the brothers followed their father’s behests and journeyed to Orehomenus to claim Athamas’ possessions. At the island of Ares, a storm shattered their ship and carried them ashore; at sunrise, Jason recognised them as kinsmen through Cretheus and Athamas: “Surely ye are our kinsmen on my father’s side,” and gave them clothing and aid. Zeus is also named as having saved them from the storm.

In Book IV, Phrontis, called the youngest of Phrixus’ sons, recognised Medea’s voice across the stream and answered her when she called. He and Argus followed Jason ashore, where Medea clasped their knees and asked them to save her from Aeetes; that night, the Argonauts took her aboard and pushed the ship from shore.

Relationship record

Life events

• A storm shatters the sons of Phrixus’ ship and carries them onto the island of Ares.(Book II 9 · 📍 island of Ares)
  • With: Argus son of Phrixus Cytissorus 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.”
• Jason recognizes the shipwrecked men as his relatives through Cretheus and Athamas.(Book II 9 · 📍 island of Ares)
  • With: Jason Argus son of Phrixus Cytissorus Melas
  • “Surely ye are our kinsmen on my father’s side, and ye pray that with kindly hearts we succour your evil plight.”
• Jason provides clothing and aid to the shipwrecked sons of Phrixus.(Book II 9 · 📍 island of Ares)
  • With: Jason Argus son of Phrixus Cytissorus Melas
  • “He spake, and out of the ship gave them raiment to put on.”
• The sons of Phrixus meet the Argonauts after surviving the shipwreck.(Book II 9 · 📍 island of Ares)
  • With: Argus son of Phrixus Cytissorus Melas
  • “and soon the two bands drew near and met each other, and Argus spoke first:”
• Medea reaches the heroes and asks them to save her from Aeetes and take her aboard.(Book IV 1)
  • With: Medea Jason Argus son of Phrixus
  • “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”
• The Argonauts take Medea aboard and push the ship from shore to seize the golden fleece.(Book IV 1)
  • With: Medea Jason Argus son of Phrixus
  • “For they took her on board, and straightway thrust the ship from shore”