Symplegades

The Symplegades, also called the Clashing Rocks, are a legendary pair of rocks in Greek mythology reputed to lie at the entrance to the Black Sea, blocking the passage of ships coming from the Aegean. In most accounts the rocks would collide with great force, destroying vessels that attempted to pass between them.

The best-known narrative places the Symplegades in the voyage of the Argonauts, as they sought the Golden Fleece. To determine a safe moment to pass, the crew and their leader Jason are advised or instructed to release a dove and observe its fate. If the dove makes it through, the Argonauts attempt the passage at the same moment, relying on precise timing as the rocks momentarily part or move apart. The Argo then passes through the narrow channel, and the rocks close behind, yet those aboard survive. Some versions attribute the rocks’ movement to divine intervention or to the prowess of the heroes.

Location and interpretation vary in ancient sources, and the precise geographic site is uncertain. Over time, the Cyanean Rocks near the Black Sea have been identified as a traditional association with the Symplegades, though no definitive identification exists. The myth has been a durable motif in classical literature, symbolizing perilous sea crossing and the test of seamanship, and it has influenced later art, poetry, and scholastic discussions about navigation and fate.