argonauts

The Argonauts were a band of Greek heroes who joined Jason on the voyage of the Argo to recover the Golden Fleece from Colchis. The roster varies by source, but the group traditionally includes Jason, Heracles, Orpheus, Peleus, Telamon, and the winged brothers Calais and Zetes, with other figures such as Castor and Pollux sometimes listed. The term itself derives from the ship Argo, and the voyage became one of the central legends of Greek mythology.

The ship Argo was built by Argus, and in some versions its construction or prow is infused with magical or divine help. The crew’s journey took them through a series of trials and marvels, including the encounter with Phineus, a seer plagued by Harpies whom the Boreads Calais and Zetes helped drive away. The most famous obstacle was the Symplegades, the clashing rocks, which the Argonauts cleared with the aid of prophetic guidance and divine assistance.

In Colchis, Jason and the Argonauts faced a further ordeal: the Golden Fleece was guarded by King Aeetes and protected by tasks initiated by Medea, who aided Jason with magical knowledge and craft. With the fleece obtained, the Argonauts began the return voyage to Greece, though many of the crew’s fates are left to various mythic traditions.

Legacy and significance: the Argonauts’ story is a foundational tale of heroic quest in Greek literature. It appears in numerous ancient and later works, most famously in Apollonius Rhodius’ Argonautica, and the term “Argonauts” has come to symbolize a group of adventurers undertaking a bold, transformative journey.