Relief sculpture of three people building the Argo

Tiphys

Tiphys played a crucial role as the helmsman (ship’s steersman) of the ship Argo in the myth of Jason and the Argonauts. Athena herself urged Tiphys to join the Argonauts since he was “well skilled to foretell the rising wave on the broad sea, and well skilled to infer from sun and star the stormy winds and the time for sailing.”

Ship with Peleus Telamon and Thetis

Peleus and Telamon

Peleus and Telamon were brothers and, respectively, the fathers of Achilles and Ajax, and heroic members of the Argonauts. Their roles in the myth of Jason and the Argonauts contribute to the rich tapestry of strength, bravery and adventure in Greek mythology.

Mosaic of Orpheus

Orpheus

Orpheus was a legendary musician, poet, and prophet known for playing the lyre and charming any man or beast and calming tumultuous seas. He helped the Argonauts escape the sirens and pass safely through the clashing rocks of the Symplegades.

An engraving of the Boreads Calais and Zetes drive out the hideous harpies.

Lynceus

Lynceus was renowned for his exceptional eyesight akin to X-ray vision. He played a crucial role in driving out the harpies. Lynceus would eventually be killed by his crewmate Pollux.

Idmon and Mopsus guided by Apollo

Idmon and Mopsus

In the myth of Jason and the Argonauts, Idmon and Mopsus were both seers and could interpret omens and predict future events. Their presence bolstered the expedition’s ability to navigate safely and make informed decisions during their perilous journey for the Golden Fleece. However, they both suffered tragic deaths.

An engraving of the Triton rising out of the sea and handing Euphemus a clod of earth on the Argo.

Euphemus

Euphemus was a Calydonian hunter with the ability to walk on water. He cares for the dove that signals to the Argonauts to charge the Clashing Rocks. He accepts a clod of earth from Triton that is destined to become the island of Calliste (Thera), whence Libya would be settled by his descendants

Zetes and Calais and the harpies

Zetes and Calais

Zetes and Calais were the sons of Boreas, the North Wind, in Greek mythology. They were known as the Boreads, the winged sons of the wind, and were prominent figures in the story of Jason and the Argonauts

Castor and Pollux as the Constellation of Gemini copper plate engraving.

Castor and Pollux

The brief story of Castor and Pollux, the Gemini twins and crew members of the Argonauts.

Aries and Musca Borealis

What is the hero’s prize?

The literal and symbolic object of the hero’s quest As an example of the object of the hero’s quest, I will use the Golden Fleece. The Golden Fleece was a magical, woolen garment that featured prominently in Greek mythology and has inspired many works of art, literature, and film over the centuries. The Golden Fleece

Theseus fighting the minotaur

Theseus

In some versions of the myth, Theseus is one of the heroes who sailed with Jason on his quest for the Golden Fleece.

The Capture of the Golden Fleece

The Golden Fleece

The Golden Fleece is the object of the quest of Jason and the Argonauts, and a symbol that has been interpreted in different ways over the centuries.

The Argo, the Argonauts ship, named after her builder, Argus.

The Argo

The Argo was the magical ship that carried Jason and the Argonauts on their quest for the Golden Fleece.

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