Phineus

Also known as: Agenor’s son / son of Agenor · Family: Thynians · Role: aged man and prophet · First appears: Book II 2

Phineus, son of Agenor, was an aged Thynian prophet whose home stood by the sea. Apollo had taught him prophecy, but because he foretold the will of Zeus without reverence for him, Zeus punished him with lingering old age, blindness, and the loss of enjoyment of food. The same god’s oracle declared that he would eat again when the Argonauts arrived. He recalled that, while ruling among the Thracians, he had brought Cleopatra home as his wife.

In Book II 2, Phineus foretold that the sons of Boreas would restrain the Harpies, while Zetes offered help only after receiving his oath that heaven’s favour would not be lost. At the Floating Islands, Iris swore that the Harpies would never again approach his home, and Zetes and Calais turned back after accepting the oath. Phineus then guided the Argonauts with prophecy, first through the twin Cyanean rocks and later through Pontus toward the fleece at Ares’ grove, telling Jason that a deity would guide them from Aea and urging them to rely on the Cyprian goddess.

Phineus was also closely connected with Paraebius, who was dearest to him. He revealed that Paraebius suffered for his father’s offence against a Hamadryad and had instructed him to make an atoning sacrifice to the Thynian nymph; he also sent him to fetch the choicest sheep while he remained with the chiefs. By Book II 5, Phineus had foretold to Jason that the Argonauts’ remaining toils would be lightly accomplished.