The journey of the Argonauts to the Kingdom of Colchis and the story of the Golden Fleece
The journey of the Argonauts to the Kingdom of Colchis and the story of the Golden Fleece
Georgia is one of the oldest and historically rich nations among those we know of today, thus it is no surprise that numerous legends are associated with it. Foremost among these legendary tales is the myth of the Argonauts, the unforgettable quest of Jason and his companions to Colchis for the Golden Fleece. This narrative laid the foundation for one of the most celebrated tragedies concerning the Queen of Colchis, Medea. Jason can arguably be described as the most famous tourist who traveled to ancient Kolkheti (a region that encompasses much of today's Western Georgia, including Ajara and Samegrelo) and witnessed extraordinary locales thousands of years ago. Of course, unlike Jason, you'd choose to journey to Georgia and Ajara with good intentions, yet it would be beneficial to familiarize yourself with the legend of this famous expedition, as described in the historical texts handed down to us.
The primary objective of the Argonauts' voyage was a grand treasure in the form of the Golden Fleece. This epic took place in the second half of the 13th century BC. If we lend credence to the illustrious writer Jorge Luis Borges, the myth of the Argonauts gave birth to one of the four principal narratives of world literature – the treasure hunt.
Jason, who spearheaded the journey of the Argonauts, was brought up by the renowned mentor of heroes, the centaur Chiron, since his mother had to conceal him in his infancy to guard him against impending doom. As per the legend, Jason was safeguarded by the goddess Hera, who instigated him to travel to Colchis to acquire the Golden Fleece from King Aetes.
In response to Jason's plea, the fifty-oared ship "Argo" was constructed. The roster of Argo sailors, or Argonauts, was considerable, comprising world-renowned brave men and heroes known solely from this list. After an extended and turbulent journey across seas and islands, the Argonauts reached Colchis and requested King Aetes for the Golden Fleece. The king was incensed at Jason's aspirations but vowed to surrender the Golden Fleece if Jason could prove his bravery and strength, replicating tasks that Aetes occasionally performed himself. Jason was assigned the following mission: he was to harness the bronze fire-breathing bulls forged by Hephaestus, plough the fields of Ares, and sow the dragon's teeth. Subsequently, he had to defeat the warriors that sprang forth, and all these tasks had to be accomplished in a single day. Jason was taken aback by the king's terms but could not retreat. He returned to his companions to prepare for the task.
Medea, the king's daughter, assisted Jason in fulfilling Aetes's task. Medea provided Jason with a potion and instructed him on its usage. The woman's beauty and the kindness she displayed entranced Jason, sparking a strong desire for Medea. He assured the Colchian princess that if everything proceeded smoothly, he would take Medea back to his homeland and marry her. Jason did everything according to Medea's guidance. Early in the morning, Jason smeared his body and his weapon with the potion. The Argonauts set sail with great speed aboard the "Argo" towards the Valley of Ares. Here the Colchians assembled, and Aetes also arrived in his grand chariot adorned with battle gear.
Jason undertook the challenge, approaching the brazen yoke of oxen, the plough, and the dragon teeth. Despite overcoming all obstacles, Aetes refused to hand over the fleece and intended to annihilate the Argonauts. Medea once again came to Jason's aid, helping him steal the Golden Fleece and promptly departing Colchis with the Argonauts.
Jason relocated to Corinth with Medea. King Creon of Corinth offered his daughter's hand to Jason, and he accepted. Fearing Medea's revenge, Creon decided to banish her from Corinth. Despite Medea's pleading and reminding Jason of all she had done for him, Jason remained unmoved. Thus, Medea took revenge and poisoned Jason's bride. Even though Medea had greatly assisted Jason, their love ended tragically due to Jason's betrayal.
For a long time, it was believed that the Corinthians, outraged by Medea's vengeance, killed Jason and Medea's children. Subsequently, the narrative popularized by the tragedian Euripides prevailed: in her fury, Medea murdered her own sons. Jason rushed towards the children's cries, but it was too late. Medea vanished in a chariot pulled by dragons.
Jason, the hero who had been severely punished for his betrayal, was once found lifeless. It was during his usual slumber beside the wreckage of his ship, Argo, when the mast of the ship fell on him, ending his life.
In Greece, the legend concerning the Golden Fleece (the golden skin of the ram) and the heroes who sailed to Colchis aboard the ship "Argo" to procure this fleece was quite prevalent. The myth of the Argonauts is of ancient origins, predating even the legend of Troy. Homer himself mentions the "cutter of the sea, the famed ship Argo."
Despite its numerous fantastical elements, the legend of the Argonauts aligns with a historical fact, marking the onset of antagonism between Greece and Colchis. As such, this mythological narrative assumes historical significance.
Regarding the "Golden Fleece", it symbolized the power of the country, and the geographer Strabo was among the most dedicated proponents of the historicity of the Argonauts' expedition. Strabo's description portrayed Colchis as a prosperous country. It was abundant in resources for seafaring and, most importantly, was rich in gold, silver, and iron ore. Strabo rationalized the legend of the Golden Fleece by stating that local inhabitants gathered the gold sand brought by the rivers of Kolkheti using long-haired fleece. In his view, such wealth lured Phrixus to Colchis and the Argonauts followed suit. According to Strabo, the expedition of the Argonauts opened the door to the Euxine Pontus (today's Black Sea) for the Greeks.
An analysis of the myth of the Argonauts reveals traces of historical truth within it, providing additional insights into the past of the country you are currently traversing or about to explore. There was a time when both Troy and the Trojan War were considered mere legends, but their authencity was later fully corroborated.