Colchis
Colchis was a kingdom at the eastern edge of the Greek world, on the shore of the Black Sea in modern Georgia, famous as the destination of Jason and the Argonauts.
The Story of Colchis
Colchis lay beyond the Clashing Rocks, across the Black Sea, at the foot of the Caucasus mountains where Prometheus was chained. King Aeëtes, son of Helios, ruled there and possessed the Golden Fleece. His daughter Medea was a priestess of Hecate and a sorceress of terrifying power. When Jason arrived, Aeëtes set impossible tasks: yoking fire-breathing bulls, sowing dragon teeth, and defeating the warriors that sprang from them. Medea provided the magic that made success possible. The historical Colchis was a real gold-producing region — the Colchians reportedly used sheepskins to pan for gold dust in mountain streams.
Symbols
Fun Fact
The Colchians' practice of trapping river gold in sheepskins may be the historical origin of the "Golden Fleece" legend.
Words We Inherited
English words and phrases that trace back to this myth. See our full guide to English words from Greek mythology.
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