Jason

Also known as: Iason · Family: Iolcus · Role: son of Aeson · First appears: Apollodorus, Library 1.8

🌐 Also appears in: The Iliad (as Jason) · The Metamorphoses of Ovid (as Jason) · Greek Tragedy — The Same Myth, Three Voices (as Jason)

Jason, also known as Iason, was the son of Aeson and Polymede, and belonged to Iolcus as the son of Aeson. Pelias sent for him to take part in the expedition, during which Jason sailed with Argus, Orpheus, Zetes, and Calais; Argus built the ship with Athena’s advice, and Cyzicus received the voyagers kindly. At Colchis, Medea helped him obtain the Golden Fleece by drugging the dragon, and escaped with him by night.

Jason’s relationship with Medea began when she conceived a passion for him and promised to help him if he swore to marry her. After completing the imposed labours, he returned to Iolcus with Medea and made her his wife; she bore him Mermerus, Pheres, and Medeus, whom Cheiron raised in the mountains. Jason later joined Peleus and the Dioscuri in laying waste to Iolcus, while Acastus expelled Jason and Medea from the city.

After ten years in Corinth, Creon betrothed his daughter Glauce to Jason, who married her and divorced Medea. Medea then killed Glauce and Creon with a poisoned robe and killed Mermerus and Pheres before fleeing to Athens; Jason’s time with Hypsipyle had also produced Euneus and Nebrophonus.