Jason
The hero who assembled the Argonauts and sailed to Colchis to retrieve the Golden Fleece, aided by Medea's sorcery.
The Legend of Jason
Jason was the rightful heir to the throne of Iolcus, usurped by his uncle Pelias. When Jason arrived to claim his kingdom, Pelias set an impossible condition: bring back the Golden Fleece from Colchis, at the eastern edge of the known world. Jason commissioned the ship Argo — built by Argus with Athena's guidance — and assembled the greatest crew in mythology: Heracles, Orpheus, Castor and Pollux, Atalanta, and dozens more. The voyage was epic: they navigated the Clashing Rocks, fought the Harpies tormenting blind Phineus, and survived countless perils. At Colchis, King Aeetes set three trials: yoke fire-breathing bulls, sow dragon's teeth, and defeat the warriors that sprout. Jason would have failed without Medea, the king's daughter and a powerful sorceress who fell in love with him through Aphrodite's intervention. She gave him protective ointments, told him to throw a stone among the earth-born warriors, and drugged the sleepless dragon guarding the Fleece. Jason's later betrayal of Medea led to terrible vengeance.
Fun Fact
The word Argonaut now means a daring adventurer — NASA used it for early astronaut candidates.
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
Jason
🗡 heroLeader of the Argonauts, seeker of the Golden Fleece
The hero who assembled the Argonauts and sailed to Colchis in quest of the Golden Fleece. Jason's story is one of ambition, adventure, and tragic betrayal.
Theseus
🗡 heroFounder-hero of Athens
Theseus was the great hero of Athens who slew the Minotaur, united Attica, and established Athenian democracy — Athens' answer to Heracles.
Perseus
🗡 heroHero who slew Medusa
The son of Zeus and Danae who beheaded Medusa, rescued Andromeda, and founded the Perseid dynasty of Mycenae.
Bellerophon
🗡 heroThe hero who tamed Pegasus
The Corinthian hero who tamed the winged horse Pegasus and slew the Chimera, but fell from heaven when he tried to reach Olympus.
Idomeneus
🗡 heroKing of Crete at Troy
Idomeneus was the king of Crete who led eighty ships to Troy and was among the fiercest fighters — his story continued in a vow that cost him his son.
Alcimede
🗡 heroMotherhood, nobility
Noble Thessalian woman and mother of Jason, leader of the Argonauts
Theseus
🗡 heroSlayer of the Minotaur, king of Athens
The hero who navigated the Labyrinth, slew the Minotaur, and became the legendary king of Athens. Theseus was considered Athens's national hero.
Nauplius
🗡 heroNavigation, Vengeance, Deception
Master navigator who wrecked the Greek fleet on false beacon fires in revenge for his son Palamedes' unjust execution.
Odysseus
🗡 heroKing of Ithaca, hero of the Trojan War
The cleverest of the Greek heroes, whose ten-year journey home from Troy is one of the greatest stories ever told. Odysseus's cunning was his greatest weapon.
Antiphates
🗡 heroCannibalism, kingship
King of the Laestrygonians, a race of man-eating giants encountered by Odysseus on his voyage home
Leodocus
🗡 heroCombat, Argonaut voyage
Argonaut who joined Jason's expedition to Colchis aboard the legendary ship Argo
Cadmus
🗡 heroFounder of Thebes
Cadmus was the Phoenician prince who founded Thebes, sowed dragon's teeth, and brought the alphabet from Phoenicia to Greece.