Chalciope
Family: Colchian · Role: daughter of Aeetes · First appears: Book II 9
At Aea in Book II, Aeetes received Phrixus and gave him his daughter Chalciope in marriage “without gifts of wooing.” Their sons were Cytissorus, Phrontis, Melas, and Argus son of Phrixus; after Phrixus died in Aeetes’ home, the sons journeyed to Orehomenus to claim Athamas’ possessions.
By Book III, Chalciope was connected with Medea as both sister and guardian, having lifted her to her breast as an infant. Argus son of Phrixus and Chalciope appealed to Medea for help in saving her sons, and Medea pledged to help and keep their plan secret from Aeetes. In Book IV, when Medea left her home, she left a lock of hair in the chamber for Chalciope as “a memorial of her maidenhood.”
Relationship record
Life events
- Aeetes receives Phrixus and gives him Chalciope in marriage.(Book II 9 · 📍 Aea)
- Medea pledges to help Chalciope save her sons and keep their plan secret.(Book III 6)
- With: 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.”
- Medea leaves her home and a lock of hair as a farewell memorial for Chalciope.(Book IV 1)
- With: Medea
- “she left it in the chamber for her mother, a memorial of her maidenhood”