GODS
The Greeks had hundreds of divinities, ranging from nearly omnipotent Olympians to the mild gods of the household. In the Argonaut myth, some gods play a more prominent role than others. The following list briefly describes the most important gods of the Argonaut myth. Click each name for a fuller description of that god's history and sphere of influence.
ZEUS
King of the gods, to whom the Golden Fleece was dedicated, and through whose will the Argonaut adventure takes place.
HERA
Queen of the gods, special protector of Jason and the Argonauts' mission.
POSEIDON
God of the sea, special protector of his son Pelias, Jason's usurping uncle.
ATHENA
Goddess of wisdom and war, she aided in the construction of the Argo and the passage through the Symplegades.
APHRODITE
Goddess of love, she worked with Athena and Hera to inflame Medea's heart with love for Jason.
HELIOS
God of the son, father of Aeetes and grandfather to Meda. His was the kingdom of Aea (Colchis).
ARES
God of war, dedicated to him were the field where the sown men rose and the grove wherein hung the Golden Fleece.
HADES
God of the Underworld. Hades does not play a specific role in the Argonaut myth as received, but in my book I describe the importance of Underworld mythology for understanding the earliest Argonaut adventures.
HECATE
An Underworld goddess and patroness of witches. Medea served as her priestess.
King of the gods, to whom the Golden Fleece was dedicated, and through whose will the Argonaut adventure takes place.
HERA
Queen of the gods, special protector of Jason and the Argonauts' mission.
POSEIDON
God of the sea, special protector of his son Pelias, Jason's usurping uncle.
ATHENA
Goddess of wisdom and war, she aided in the construction of the Argo and the passage through the Symplegades.
APHRODITE
Goddess of love, she worked with Athena and Hera to inflame Medea's heart with love for Jason.
HELIOS
God of the son, father of Aeetes and grandfather to Meda. His was the kingdom of Aea (Colchis).
ARES
God of war, dedicated to him were the field where the sown men rose and the grove wherein hung the Golden Fleece.
HADES
God of the Underworld. Hades does not play a specific role in the Argonaut myth as received, but in my book I describe the importance of Underworld mythology for understanding the earliest Argonaut adventures.
HECATE
An Underworld goddess and patroness of witches. Medea served as her priestess.
