Argo
The Argo was the ship built by Argus for Jason's quest — the first long-voyage ship in Greek myth, with a beam from Dodona's speaking oak built into its prow.
The Story of Argo
Argus built the Argo with Athena's guidance. Its most remarkable feature was a beam from the speaking oak of Dodona, which gave the ship prophetic ability — it could speak and advise the crew. The Argo carried fifty heroes (the Argonauts) through the Clashing Rocks, past the Sirens, and across the Black Sea to Colchis. After the quest, Jason dedicated the Argo at the Isthmus of Corinth. He later died when the rotting ship's prow fell on him — killed by the very vessel that had made him famous.
Parents
Built by Argus
Symbols
Fun Fact
Jason was killed by his own ship — the rotting prow of the Argo fell on him, a perfect Greek irony about fame and decay.
Words We Inherited
English words and phrases that trace back to this myth. See our full guide to English words from Greek mythology.
Explore Further
Scheria
🏛 placeLand of the Phaeacians
Scheria was the island of the Phaeacians, a seafaring people beloved by the gods, where the shipwrecked Odysseus was welcomed by King Alcinous and Princess Nausicaa.
Voyage of the Argo
💭 conceptNarrative
The legendary sea journey of the Argonauts through uncharted waters to reach the kingdom of Colchis
Abydos
🏛 placeGeography
An ancient city on the Hellespont famous as the launching point of Xerxes' bridge and the home of Leander
Nausithous
🗡 heroNone recorded
Founder and first king of the Phaeacians on the island of Scheria
Argonauts
💭 conceptCrew of the ship Argo
The Argonauts were the band of heroes who sailed with Jason on the Argo to retrieve the Golden Fleece — the greatest ensemble adventure in Greek mythology.
Tiphys
🗡 heroNavigation, seamanship
Original helmsman of the Argo whose skill guided the ship through the Clashing Rocks
Jason
🗡 heroLeader of the Argonauts
The hero who assembled the Argonauts and sailed to Colchis to retrieve the Golden Fleece, aided by Medea's sorcery.
Leodocus
🗡 heroCombat, Argonaut voyage
Argonaut who joined Jason's expedition to Colchis aboard the legendary ship Argo
Salamis
🏛 placeGeography
An island in the Saronic Gulf where the Greeks won a decisive naval victory over Persia and where Ajax was king
Cape Sounion
🏛 placeworship, sea
The dramatic headland at the southern tip of Attica crowned by the Temple of Poseidon, where Aegeus watched for Theseus's returning ship.
Symplegades
🏛 placenavigation
The Clashing Rocks at the entrance to the Black Sea that crushed any ship attempting to pass between them.
Minoa
🏛 placegeography
A name given to several cities across the Greek world, all claiming legendary foundation by or connection to King Minos of Crete.