Hello everyone, welcome back to Greek Mythology Gods. Let's step into the mysterious world of mythology, follow in the footsteps of the gods, and uncover the secrets of destiny and power.
In the last season, we explored the emotional legends of Zeus: he transformed into a bull and carried away the beautiful Europa, giving the world its name; the innocent Callisto was punished for love and transformed into a bear; Io, transformed into a cow, endured jealousy and pain in exile; and the story of Leda and the swan blurred the lines betweenmortals and gods. Each myth is interwoven with the eternal entanglement of love, power, and destiny.
Now, we will begin a brand new epic chapter—the legend of the Argonauts. The story begins with Jason, the chosen hero, who, burdened by the call of his country and destiny, gathers the bravest warriors of Greece and embarks on a journey to find the Golden Fleece. Guided and tested by the gods, Jason's adventures will unveil a magnificent chapter of heroism, faith, and humanity.
Long ago, Creteus, the founder of the kingdom of Iolcus, was king and had two sons: Aeson and Pelias. By blood, the throne should have passed to the eldest son, Aeson. However, Pelias, ambitious and ruthless, seized the throne while Aeson was seriously ill and the court was in turmoil. He massacred his opponents, and Aeson was imprisoned. Aeson's wife, Alcimede, fearing for her newborn's safety, feigned death and secretly sent the child to be raised by Chiron, a centaur. This child was Jason.
Under Chiron's care, Jason grew up strong and quickly became a renowned hero, known for his kindness and virtue. On his way home as an adult, he carried an old woman across a river, losing one shoe in the process. He reached the other side wearing only one shoe. After crossing the river, the old woman, Hera, revealed her true form and offered to help Jason reclaim the throne.
Jason entered the city wearing only one shoe, fulfilling Pelias's oracle about "the one-shoe-wearing man." The two met, and Jason introduced himself: "I am the son of Aeson, returning from my studies with Chiron." He demanded the return of the throne that rightfully belonged to his father. Pelias appeared calm on the surface, but was wary inwardly.
To escape the threat, Pelias proposed an impossible task: "Since you wish to claim the throne legitimately, first accomplish something for the kingdom—travel to Colchis, retrieve the Golden Fleece, and bring back the remains of Phrixus." Young and confident, Jason accepted the mission. In his view, merit would secure his rightful inheritance; while Pelias saw it as a near-certain journey of no return.
Thus, Jason began gathering heroes; future friendships, love, and betrayals would unfold on the voyage.
Today we discuss: Jason's origins, his return home, the confrontation, and the trials set before him.
In the next story, we will embark on the true voyage of Jason's destiny. Under the watchful eyes of the gods, he will gather the heroes of the Argonauts and set sail for the legendary land of women.
Thank you for listening to "Greek Mythology Gods". In the next episode, we will continue to take you on a journey through time to explore the legends of gods and men. I am your narrator, see you next time!
For further reading, you can refer to the following:
Pelias- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pelias
Jason- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jason
If you’d like to dive deeper beyond the stories, you can also explore sculptures inspired by these myths here:
https://www.arturbanstatue.com/other-product/greek-and-roman-statues/