What do you think?
Rate this book
Jason and Medea
'The Argonauts were terrified at the sight. But Jason planting his feet apart stood to receive them, as a reef in the sea confronts the tossing billows in a gale.'
The tragic, epic love affair that allowed Jason to get the Golden Fleece.
Introducing Little Black Classics: 80 books for Penguin's 80th birthday. Little Black Classics celebrate the huge range and diversity of Penguin Classics, with books from around the world and across many centuries. They take us from a balloon ride over Victorian London to a garden of blossom in Japan, from Tierra del Fuego to 16th-century California and the Russian steppe. Here are stories lyrical and savage; poems epic and intimate; essays satirical and inspirational; and ideas that have shaped the lives of millions.
Apollonius of Rhodes (3rd century BCE).
The tragic, epic love affair that allowed Jason to get the Golden Fleece.
Introducing Little Black Classics: 80 books for Penguin's 80th birthday. Little Black Classics celebrate the huge range and diversity of Penguin Classics, with books from around the world and across many centuries. They take us from a balloon ride over Victorian London to a garden of blossom in Japan, from Tierra del Fuego to 16th-century California and the Russian steppe. Here are stories lyrical and savage; poems epic and intimate; essays satirical and inspirational; and ideas that have shaped the lives of millions.
Apollonius of Rhodes (3rd century BCE).
50 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 251
About the author
Apollonius of Rhodes
150 books101 followersApollonius of Rhodes (Ancient Greek: Ἀπολλώνιος Ῥόδιος Apollṓnios Rhódios; Latin: Apollonius Rhodius; fl. first half of 3rd century BCE), is best known as the author of the Argonautica, an epic poem about Jason and the Argonauts and their quest for the Golden Fleece. The poem is one of the few extant examples of the epic genre and it was both innovative and influential, providing Ptolemaic Egypt with a "cultural mnemonic" or national "archive of images",[1] and offering the Latin poets Virgil and Gaius Valerius Flaccus a model for their own epics. His other poems, which survive only in small fragments, concerned the beginnings or foundations of cities, such as Alexandria and Cnidus – places of interest to the Ptolemies, whom he served as a scholar and librarian at the Library of Alexandria. A literary dispute with Callimachus, another Alexandrian librarian/poet, is a topic much discussed by modern scholars since it is thought to give some insight into their poetry, although there is very little evidence that there ever was such a dispute between the two men. In fact almost nothing at all is known about Apollonius and even his connection with Rhodes is a matter for speculation.[2] Once considered a mere imitator of Homer, and therefore a failure as a poet, his reputation has been enhanced by recent studies, with an emphasis on the special characteristics of Hellenistic poets as scholarly heirs of a long literary tradition writing at a unique time in history.
Alternate spelling:
Spanish: Apolonio de Rodas
Alternate spelling:
Spanish: Apolonio de Rodas
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 102 reviews
February 7, 2017
This is a poor edition. I feel like I’ve picked this up half way through the story; it’s like opening a random novel and reading about a random character and trying to understand the whole work. I have limited knowledge of this part of ancient Greek mythology beyond the basics, so, for me, this just didn’t come together.
So, as ever, I shake my fist at the editors and curse their skills of literary selection. They’ve just picked out a random slice of an epic adventure and the result is an all too brief glimpse of something much larger. I feel like I need to have read the rest of Jason’s journey, and seen the rest of his adventures and trials, to be able to appreciate this symbolic crescendo. It’s like reading about the blinding of Oedipus without seeing the events that led up to it; it’s like seeing the sack of Troy without witnessing the love affair that caused it. All in all, it’s not enough to warrant a serious read.
Therefore, I’ve purchased the whole work. I’ve been reading a fair bit of ancient Greek work lately. Mainly because I’m studying the life of Percy Shelly, who was himself a Hellenist, so I need little excuse to sink my teeth into the real story.
Penguin Little Black Classic- 18
The Little Black Classic Collection by penguin looks like it contains lots of hidden gems. I couldn’t help it; they looked so good that I went and bought them all. I shall post a short review after reading each one. No doubt it will take me several months to get through all of them! Hopefully I will find some classic authors, from across the ages, that I may not have come across had I not bought this collection.
So, as ever, I shake my fist at the editors and curse their skills of literary selection. They’ve just picked out a random slice of an epic adventure and the result is an all too brief glimpse of something much larger. I feel like I need to have read the rest of Jason’s journey, and seen the rest of his adventures and trials, to be able to appreciate this symbolic crescendo. It’s like reading about the blinding of Oedipus without seeing the events that led up to it; it’s like seeing the sack of Troy without witnessing the love affair that caused it. All in all, it’s not enough to warrant a serious read.
Therefore, I’ve purchased the whole work. I’ve been reading a fair bit of ancient Greek work lately. Mainly because I’m studying the life of Percy Shelly, who was himself a Hellenist, so I need little excuse to sink my teeth into the real story.
Penguin Little Black Classic- 18
The Little Black Classic Collection by penguin looks like it contains lots of hidden gems. I couldn’t help it; they looked so good that I went and bought them all. I shall post a short review after reading each one. No doubt it will take me several months to get through all of them! Hopefully I will find some classic authors, from across the ages, that I may not have come across had I not bought this collection.
May 30, 2018
"Men serve no harsher mistress than necessity, who drives me now..."
-Apollonius of Rhodes, Jason and Medea
Vol 18 of my Penguin Little Black Classics Box Set. "Jason and Medea" represents Book 3 of Apollonius of Rhodes epic Greek poem the Jason and the Golden Fleece (aka Argonautica). This Penguin selection is limited mainly by two things: First, it is only a section of the Hellenistic epic, thus the reader is dropped into the middle of it. If you are unfamiliar with the myth of Jason and the Argonauts and are otherwise unfamiliar with his trials, it might take a minute to get your sea legs. Second, this is a translation. I don't read classical Greek, and my fluency with the Argonautica is limited, by necessity, to the translators' gift (E.V. Rieu). But it IS a limitation. I've heard that the difference between reading Homer in the Greek and Homer translated, is like color vs black & white, etc. So, there is that limit. I DID, however, dig this translators ability to both make the text readable and lyrical at the same time. So, win.
-Apollonius of Rhodes, Jason and Medea
Vol 18 of my Penguin Little Black Classics Box Set. "Jason and Medea" represents Book 3 of Apollonius of Rhodes epic Greek poem the Jason and the Golden Fleece (aka Argonautica). This Penguin selection is limited mainly by two things: First, it is only a section of the Hellenistic epic, thus the reader is dropped into the middle of it. If you are unfamiliar with the myth of Jason and the Argonauts and are otherwise unfamiliar with his trials, it might take a minute to get your sea legs. Second, this is a translation. I don't read classical Greek, and my fluency with the Argonautica is limited, by necessity, to the translators' gift (E.V. Rieu). But it IS a limitation. I've heard that the difference between reading Homer in the Greek and Homer translated, is like color vs black & white, etc. So, there is that limit. I DID, however, dig this translators ability to both make the text readable and lyrical at the same time. So, win.
March 25, 2019
A nice way to ‘dip your toes’ into Classical Greek literature, this tells part of Jason’s adventures with his Argonauts as he hunts for the magical Golden Fleece. Although it’s classic literature, I found this relatively easy to follow and understand, and the translation seems to manage to give depth to the text. It helps to have some background knowledge of the Greek Gods and their many, many names as they’re often used interchangeably, but otherwise it’s not hard to ‘get’ if you’re new to Greek mythology.
Jason is one of my favourite Greek heroes, so I’m a little biased, but he’s a plucky warrior who falls under the good graces of Hera (not easy to do), and his quest for the Golden Fleece is one of the more interesting plights in Greek mythology. Reading this in such a bite size chunk made me appreciate the writing, as I wasn’t overwhelmed by it, but rather it left me wanting more. As it’s only a small section of Apollonius’ ‘Argonautica’, which as an epic poem covers all of Jason’s adventures, it ends rather abruptly, and feels unfinished. Because it is. It’s a little hint of a grand story, a sneak peak at the main event, to try and lure you in. And for the most part, it does. I’ll probably purchase the whole text, but now I know I’ll enjoy it.
I love these little Penguin books. They’re such a good way to explore the various classical genres without over committing or paying extortionately for something I might hate. I took it easy picking a genre I really enjoy, but I might try a few more of these that fall a little outside of my comfort zone to get a feel for what I might like.
Jason is one of my favourite Greek heroes, so I’m a little biased, but he’s a plucky warrior who falls under the good graces of Hera (not easy to do), and his quest for the Golden Fleece is one of the more interesting plights in Greek mythology. Reading this in such a bite size chunk made me appreciate the writing, as I wasn’t overwhelmed by it, but rather it left me wanting more. As it’s only a small section of Apollonius’ ‘Argonautica’, which as an epic poem covers all of Jason’s adventures, it ends rather abruptly, and feels unfinished. Because it is. It’s a little hint of a grand story, a sneak peak at the main event, to try and lure you in. And for the most part, it does. I’ll probably purchase the whole text, but now I know I’ll enjoy it.
I love these little Penguin books. They’re such a good way to explore the various classical genres without over committing or paying extortionately for something I might hate. I took it easy picking a genre I really enjoy, but I might try a few more of these that fall a little outside of my comfort zone to get a feel for what I might like.
September 19, 2020
Reading Greek mythology in English is kinda weird... whatever. Yeah this is the 2nd Medea story I've read today. Am i okay? Don't ask.
I know that the Little Black Classics are just snippets or parts of books but u usually don't really need to know the fuck is up to understand what is happening. With this one thought i think that u kinda need to know what's up otherwise u will be lost for a bit or for the whole thing. May be wrong but who cares.
I know that the Little Black Classics are just snippets or parts of books but u usually don't really need to know the fuck is up to understand what is happening. With this one thought i think that u kinda need to know what's up otherwise u will be lost for a bit or for the whole thing. May be wrong but who cares.
![Profile Image for [ J o ].](https://cdn.statically.io/img/i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/users/1673171874i/4639825._UY200_CR4,0,200,200_.jpg)
February 6, 2017
Apollonius of Rhodes was a 3rd century BCE librarian and scholar who wrote the epic Greek poem The Voyage of Argo. E. V. Rieu, who translated the story, was a classicist and initiated the Penguin Classics books.
Jason and Medea is a small segment of The Voyage of Argo, focusing on the god-imbued love Medea feels for Jason, whom had arrived to take the Golden Fleece. He is set a task by Medea's father, King Aeetes, to sow teeth that grow in to giants and slay them all. An impossible task, unless one had help from a witch named Medea...
The other story concerning Jason and Medea is Euripides's play Medea, which focuses on her rather more than Apollonius does here. It is a nice story and one that all fans of Greek myth should encounter at some point, but unlike Euripides, Apollonius is not sympathetic towards women at all, though he begrudgingly accepts that goddesses have powers, too.
Blog | Instagram | Twitter | Pinterest | Shop | Etsy
Jason and Medea is a small segment of The Voyage of Argo, focusing on the god-imbued love Medea feels for Jason, whom had arrived to take the Golden Fleece. He is set a task by Medea's father, King Aeetes, to sow teeth that grow in to giants and slay them all. An impossible task, unless one had help from a witch named Medea...
The other story concerning Jason and Medea is Euripides's play Medea, which focuses on her rather more than Apollonius does here. It is a nice story and one that all fans of Greek myth should encounter at some point, but unlike Euripides, Apollonius is not sympathetic towards women at all, though he begrudgingly accepts that goddesses have powers, too.
Blog | Instagram | Twitter | Pinterest | Shop | Etsy
June 26, 2017
"Her heart smoldered with pain as he passed from sight her soul crept out of her, as in a dream, and fluttered in his steps."
More than anything, this Little Black Classic made me feel late to the party. It's like arriving to a gig just in time for the final song - it's probably going to be the artist's biggest hit, the one you were desperate to hear, but it's not gonna have the same impact as if you had been there all along. There won't be a build up, no diving into the setting and indulging in the atmosphere.
Obviously I don't blame Apollonius of Rhodes for that. The author of Argonautica, the Greek epic poem written in the 3rd century BC. It tells the myth of the voyage of Jason and the Argonauts to retrieve the Golden Fleece from remote Colchis and it's a story that features the relationship between Jason and the dangerous Colchian princess Medea.
This here presented excerpt deals with how Jason tries to obtain the Golden Fleece. The goddess Here convinces Eros to make Medea fall in love with Jason, who immediately agrees to betray her father and run away with our hero. I felt sorry for Medea just being part of a grander scheme and being made to betray her family by being played with, so this had a bit of a bitter taste to it.
"[T]he girl who fancied a foreigner enough to die for him, disgraced her parents and her home, went off her head for love. What infamy would not be mine? Ah, how I grieve now the folly of my passion!"
It's a tale that was known to Hellenistic audiences, I however, only had limited knowledge of it, which made this a strange read, as this edition felt like a bit of a random outtake of a narrative that should probably be experienced in its full length. I suppose this is just not a good starting point and a better read for people already familiar with the story (for which this is probably an unnecessary purchase though, which makes me wonder who the target group of this particular volume is).
In 2015 Penguin introduced the Little Black Classics series to celebrate Penguin's 80th birthday. Including little stories from "around the world and across many centuries" as the publisher describes, I have been intrigued to read those for a long time, before finally having started. I hope to sooner or later read and review all of them!
More than anything, this Little Black Classic made me feel late to the party. It's like arriving to a gig just in time for the final song - it's probably going to be the artist's biggest hit, the one you were desperate to hear, but it's not gonna have the same impact as if you had been there all along. There won't be a build up, no diving into the setting and indulging in the atmosphere.
Obviously I don't blame Apollonius of Rhodes for that. The author of Argonautica, the Greek epic poem written in the 3rd century BC. It tells the myth of the voyage of Jason and the Argonauts to retrieve the Golden Fleece from remote Colchis and it's a story that features the relationship between Jason and the dangerous Colchian princess Medea.
This here presented excerpt deals with how Jason tries to obtain the Golden Fleece. The goddess Here convinces Eros to make Medea fall in love with Jason, who immediately agrees to betray her father and run away with our hero. I felt sorry for Medea just being part of a grander scheme and being made to betray her family by being played with, so this had a bit of a bitter taste to it.
"[T]he girl who fancied a foreigner enough to die for him, disgraced her parents and her home, went off her head for love. What infamy would not be mine? Ah, how I grieve now the folly of my passion!"
It's a tale that was known to Hellenistic audiences, I however, only had limited knowledge of it, which made this a strange read, as this edition felt like a bit of a random outtake of a narrative that should probably be experienced in its full length. I suppose this is just not a good starting point and a better read for people already familiar with the story (for which this is probably an unnecessary purchase though, which makes me wonder who the target group of this particular volume is).
In 2015 Penguin introduced the Little Black Classics series to celebrate Penguin's 80th birthday. Including little stories from "around the world and across many centuries" as the publisher describes, I have been intrigued to read those for a long time, before finally having started. I hope to sooner or later read and review all of them!
January 2, 2022
Забула, що в греків такий гарний художній стиль. Забула або й не знала))
'Tears of pity ran down her cheeks and her whole body was possessed by agony, a searing pain which shot along her nerves and deep into the nape of her neck, that vulnerable spot where the relentless archery of Love causes the keenest pangs'.
'The pair of them stood face to face without a word or sound, like oaks or tall pines that stand in the mountains side by side in silence when the air is still, but when the wind has stirred them chatter without end. So these two, stirred by the breath of Love, were soon to pour out all their tale'
'Tears of pity ran down her cheeks and her whole body was possessed by agony, a searing pain which shot along her nerves and deep into the nape of her neck, that vulnerable spot where the relentless archery of Love causes the keenest pangs'.
'The pair of them stood face to face without a word or sound, like oaks or tall pines that stand in the mountains side by side in silence when the air is still, but when the wind has stirred them chatter without end. So these two, stirred by the breath of Love, were soon to pour out all their tale'
November 30, 2019
I enjoyed this! It was a quick little run-down on the events that take place in the lead up to Jason obtaining the Golden Fleece and I had a lot of fun! It took me a long time to pick this up because I found the writing to be quite dense and I always put it down before I read past the first page but once it gets going it's fairly easy to follow and understand. I wouldn't recommend this if you have little to no knowledge on the story of Jason and the Argonauts/Jason and the Golden Fleece, or of the events that take place after that story regarding Medea and Jason and their two kids, but as someone who loves Euripedes' play Medea, I really enjoyed this. But nonetheless and disregarding your opinion on her, it is a fact that Medea was, and always will be, a bad bitch.
January 12, 2020
Read all my reviews on http://urlphantomhive.booklikes.com
The story of Jason and Medea, in the larger story of the Argonauts, was another one I had seen in class, but never read myself completely. If you're unfamiliar with the story though, this might not be the best place to start as it sort of start in the middle and these Little Black Classics have a tendency not to bring you up to speed but rather throw you right into the story.
That being said, I enjoyed it a lot and it made me want to read the full thing.
~Little Black Classics #18~
The story of Jason and Medea, in the larger story of the Argonauts, was another one I had seen in class, but never read myself completely. If you're unfamiliar with the story though, this might not be the best place to start as it sort of start in the middle and these Little Black Classics have a tendency not to bring you up to speed but rather throw you right into the story.
That being said, I enjoyed it a lot and it made me want to read the full thing.
~Little Black Classics #18~
February 7, 2017
The most detailed presentation of this episode from the adventures of Jason and the Argonauts that I've read, and I enjoyed it, though I did have a hard (impossible) time keeping the various Argonauts straight (some of the names are spelled differently than I've seen them before -- "Hera" is "Here," etc.) This edition is an extract from E.V. Rieu's translation, The Voyage of Argo , and readers who are unfamiliar with the story of Jason and his adventures may enjoy this more with a little background information. Number 18 in Penguin's Little Black Classic series.
February 6, 2017
As classic literature goes it was fine, the story of the golden fleece is well known to school children the world over, however, it seemed rather flat and somewhat unfulfilling. On finishing this one can only think that perhaps it's down to the translation because as we have seen a few of the little black books have been delightful.
Now if the people at Penguin are listening: can we please have a more vibrant and exciting translation that reflects the quality of many of the classics so far published.
Little Black Classics: 18 0f 80
Now if the people at Penguin are listening: can we please have a more vibrant and exciting translation that reflects the quality of many of the classics so far published.
Little Black Classics: 18 0f 80
May 29, 2018
As much as I enjoyed the story itself, I couldn't help but feel a little lost.
The snippet seemed to start at a random point, so I felt as though i'd been thrown in at the deep end and expected to just go along with it. I understand that that's essentially how this series of classics works, I just think it could've been introduced a little before diving right in.
Never the less, I've expanded my knowledge of greek myth ever so slightly, and thats always a bonus!
The snippet seemed to start at a random point, so I felt as though i'd been thrown in at the deep end and expected to just go along with it. I understand that that's essentially how this series of classics works, I just think it could've been introduced a little before diving right in.
Never the less, I've expanded my knowledge of greek myth ever so slightly, and thats always a bonus!
Read
January 20, 2023Ancient Greek adventure story, expedition to a golden ram's fur. Perhaps historically very interesting, but did not really appeal to me as a story.
February 8, 2017
I’ve always been a fan of Greek mythology, so when I saw this range of Penguin’s Little Black Classics (just 80p each – bargain!), Jason and Medea was one of the first that my eager hands grabbed.
If you’re not already familiar with the story of Jason and the Argonauts this probably isn’t a very good place to start as it drops us straight into Jason reaching Colchis on his errand for the Golden Fleece, and being set an impossible task by Aeëtes – to yoke two flame breathing bulls and plow a field with serpents teeth which would sprout into an army of earth-born men who he must then defeat. Aided by Aeëtes daughter, Medea, Jason accomplishes the task – which is where this book ends.
If you’re after the full story then you’re likely to be dissatisfied (I’m always disappointed when we don’t get to hear the end of their tale, having long been a fan of the unhappy-ever-after ending), but if you want a quick dip into one of the more exciting parts of the tale, then this is the book for the job.
**Also posted at Randomly Reading and Ranting**
If you’re not already familiar with the story of Jason and the Argonauts this probably isn’t a very good place to start as it drops us straight into Jason reaching Colchis on his errand for the Golden Fleece, and being set an impossible task by Aeëtes – to yoke two flame breathing bulls and plow a field with serpents teeth which would sprout into an army of earth-born men who he must then defeat. Aided by Aeëtes daughter, Medea, Jason accomplishes the task – which is where this book ends.
If you’re after the full story then you’re likely to be dissatisfied (I’m always disappointed when we don’t get to hear the end of their tale, having long been a fan of the unhappy-ever-after ending), but if you want a quick dip into one of the more exciting parts of the tale, then this is the book for the job.
**Also posted at Randomly Reading and Ranting**
April 17, 2015
Very interesting read after recently having read Euripides' play Medea. This is part of the prequel to the whole drama in Euripides' play, which gives a whole to perspective to the characters. We see the cunning sides of Jason and Medea, and in contrast to the horrible Jason we meet in Euripides' play, we are here met with a sympathetic loving man, who the second he meets Medea and her desire to help him, falls heads over heels for the princess. It might be argued that his quick decision to marry the woman, is also the reason he later finds out there was something better out there for him, when he finds a new princess in his home country.
Interesting read and great for context to Euripides' play.
Interesting read and great for context to Euripides' play.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 11, 2016
Was a quick read and quite handy to carry around when my others books were too heavy in my bag. I love Greek mythology so reading this was quite interesting. Definitely interested in reading some more.
February 6, 2017
Ancient Greek epics are just not my thing, that's the only reason for the low rating really. Too stiff, too many characters. The story didn't interest me.
January 11, 2023
Jammer dat het niet het hele verhaal is, maar enkel hun eerste ontmoeting :((
May 11, 2024
La historia de los Argonautas me encantó, aunque aquí es solo una breve aventura de toda su extensa odisea, es muy entretenida y extendió mis conocimientos de mitología griega.
February 8, 2017
Apollonius wrote in the 3rd Century, BC., and his writing style owes much to his Greek forebear, Homer. His extended similes offer a taste of the master-writer. Consider this simile, describing the bronze-footed bulls whom Jason must yoke to plow Aeëtes's field and sow it with dragon's teeth:
But I get ahead of myself.
The first half of the book traces Jason's voyage on the Argo. Argus builds the ship with Athena's help. Jason recruits a first-class crew of heroes, which include the master-musician, Orpheus as well as Heracles (who will abandon the expedition in the Sea of Marmara, long before its epic voyage through clashing rocks into the Black Sea). Writing in the tradition of The Odyssey, the heroes find welcoming hosts among the seductive all-female Lemnians, but misunderstandings also bring them into warfare at other waypoints. King Amycus proves less than amiable, and his forces are crushed in battle in Book 2. A prophet by the name of Phineus, plays the role of Circe from The Odyssey, warning them of the dangerous rocks at the Bosphorus and describing landmarks they will see en route to Colchis.
As a one-time visitor to Georgia, I was eager to read Apollonius's description of that land. I was in for a disappointment, as it was too-soon evidence that the writer had no idea about the land he was talking about:
While there is one, later reference to "vines," this description misses the mark. Tamarisks grow in dry lands around the Levant. Georgia is lush with fruit trees and forests. I didn't put the book down here, but I knew at this point that my imagination would be fed from here on, not my memory.
Prior to the heroes' arrival in Colchis, Hera schemes with Cypris to corral the spoiled boy-god Eros and send him to Colchis to hit Medea with an arrow and instigate within her a love for Jason.
Jason's seduction of Medea was a high point of the book for me, where I found Apollonius to be at his most poetic. Medea's immediate passion for Jason doesn't come without regret, knowing that she is betraying her father and giving up her homeland. Jason meets her at a temple and woos her with these words:
Those are words to woo, and the result, "the heart within her melted to hear it," sets Jason on course to carry out Aeëtes's impossible task, snag the Golden Fleece, and run away with the princess. Medea's medicines include a protective salve that Jason covers his armor and his body with, advice to fight the soldiers that grow out of the dragon's teeth, and a song that lulls the serpent guarding the fleece. Jason shows courage, sure, but Medea pulls the strings. This must be the triumph of Georgian femininity and intellect celebrated in the sculptures I mentioned above.
The final third of the book turns the Greek heroes into refugees. After they slip away with Medea and the Golden Fleece, a fleet led by Medea's brother Absyrtus chases them across the Black Sea and confronts them at the mouth of the Danube. Medea's treachery and Jason's sword cut down Absyrtus allow them to get away, but it doesn't end the relentless pursuit of the Colchians.
It was interesting trying to follow the flight of the Argo after it leaves the Black Sea. A map would have been a nice addition to the book. I include one here that I found online. One other problem I have with the publication is that extensive notes simply refer to other myths without fully explaining the context to readers not steeped in Greek myth.
The names of places given are ancient, so it takes a perceptive reader (and access to Google) to figure out modern connections.
At the furthest point of the Argo's journey upriver, it meets up with Celtic tribes before descending the Rhone River and returning to the Mediterranean Sea.
Once in the Mediterranean, Jason and Medea must go to Circe (sister of Aetes and aunt of the princess) for absolution in the bloody murder of Absyrtus. It is at this point that the connections with The Odyssey march in lock step. The Argo is carried through Scylla and Charybdis on the whitecapped arms of nereids. They are lured by the Sirens, but Orpheus plays a counter-melody on his lyre and saves them from destruction. They pass the cattle of the god, Helios (grandfather of Medea) without incident, and they even get blown off course to the shores of Libya, although no Lotus Eaters are involved here.
The climax of the story takes place in the familiar court of King Alcinoös of Phaecia, where the Colchians show up and demand the return of Medea. I have given away so much of the story here, I will leave that scene for future readers to savor.
This book is a love story which cuts off well short of the tragic events that await Medea after her marriage. Having been so influenced by Edith Hamilton's account, I appreciated the narrower view.
What disappointed me about the plot was how human the heroes--and Medea--became after they left Colchis. There is much flight and very little that is heroic--one exception being the way the heroes pick up the Argo and carry it across Saharan sand dunes to a Libyan inlet that will help them sail back home.
Even Medea is mute for much of the last third. For example, the Argonaut, Mopsus, dies from an adder's sting without any mention of Medea, who presumably could have summoned drugs for a cure.
Still this is a worthwhile adventure for readers who love Greek epics. It isn't on a par with Homer. Nothing is.
I might add, the book isn't as good as an in-the-flesh visit to Georgia. Again, nothing is.
For full review and looks at related books: http://dittestgc15.blogspot.com/2015/...
Think of a blacksmith's bull-hide bellows, now
shooting a spire of cinders through a vent
while stirring up the deadly blaze, now wheezing,
now still, and all the while infernal hiss
and flicker issue from the furnace grate--
panting and heaving thus, the bulls snuffed thrice
and bellowed, and a brimstone blast consumed him
calamitous but for the maiden's salve (Book 3, lines 1668-1675)
But I get ahead of myself.
The first half of the book traces Jason's voyage on the Argo. Argus builds the ship with Athena's help. Jason recruits a first-class crew of heroes, which include the master-musician, Orpheus as well as Heracles (who will abandon the expedition in the Sea of Marmara, long before its epic voyage through clashing rocks into the Black Sea). Writing in the tradition of The Odyssey, the heroes find welcoming hosts among the seductive all-female Lemnians, but misunderstandings also bring them into warfare at other waypoints. King Amycus proves less than amiable, and his forces are crushed in battle in Book 2. A prophet by the name of Phineus, plays the role of Circe from The Odyssey, warning them of the dangerous rocks at the Bosphorus and describing landmarks they will see en route to Colchis.
As a one-time visitor to Georgia, I was eager to read Apollonius's description of that land. I was in for a disappointment, as it was too-soon evidence that the writer had no idea about the land he was talking about:
They wasted no time disembarking over
the rushes where the upward sloping bank
afforded solid ground. This tract is known
as Circe's Plain, and tamarisks and willows
grow there in rows..." (Book 3, Lines 259-263)
While there is one, later reference to "vines," this description misses the mark. Tamarisks grow in dry lands around the Levant. Georgia is lush with fruit trees and forests. I didn't put the book down here, but I knew at this point that my imagination would be fed from here on, not my memory.
Prior to the heroes' arrival in Colchis, Hera schemes with Cypris to corral the spoiled boy-god Eros and send him to Colchis to hit Medea with an arrow and instigate within her a love for Jason.
Jason's seduction of Medea was a high point of the book for me, where I found Apollonius to be at his most poetic. Medea's immediate passion for Jason doesn't come without regret, knowing that she is betraying her father and giving up her homeland. Jason meets her at a temple and woos her with these words:
Sad maiden, let your storm winds rove in vain
and all your birds and rumors, too.
You're talking nonsense. If you come to Greece
and any of those places you have mentioned,
men and women will esteem and love you,
yes, they will venerate you like a goddess,
some because your counsel helped their sons
come home alive, others because you saved
their brothers, relatives, and valiant husbands
from such great trouble. In our wedding chamber
you shall enjoy the marriage bed with me,
and nothing shall divide us from our love
until our predetermined end enshrouds us. (Book 3, Lines 1446-1458)
Those are words to woo, and the result, "the heart within her melted to hear it," sets Jason on course to carry out Aeëtes's impossible task, snag the Golden Fleece, and run away with the princess. Medea's medicines include a protective salve that Jason covers his armor and his body with, advice to fight the soldiers that grow out of the dragon's teeth, and a song that lulls the serpent guarding the fleece. Jason shows courage, sure, but Medea pulls the strings. This must be the triumph of Georgian femininity and intellect celebrated in the sculptures I mentioned above.
The final third of the book turns the Greek heroes into refugees. After they slip away with Medea and the Golden Fleece, a fleet led by Medea's brother Absyrtus chases them across the Black Sea and confronts them at the mouth of the Danube. Medea's treachery and Jason's sword cut down Absyrtus allow them to get away, but it doesn't end the relentless pursuit of the Colchians.
It was interesting trying to follow the flight of the Argo after it leaves the Black Sea. A map would have been a nice addition to the book. I include one here that I found online. One other problem I have with the publication is that extensive notes simply refer to other myths without fully explaining the context to readers not steeped in Greek myth.
The names of places given are ancient, so it takes a perceptive reader (and access to Google) to figure out modern connections.
At the furthest point of the Argo's journey upriver, it meets up with Celtic tribes before descending the Rhone River and returning to the Mediterranean Sea.
Once in the Mediterranean, Jason and Medea must go to Circe (sister of Aetes and aunt of the princess) for absolution in the bloody murder of Absyrtus. It is at this point that the connections with The Odyssey march in lock step. The Argo is carried through Scylla and Charybdis on the whitecapped arms of nereids. They are lured by the Sirens, but Orpheus plays a counter-melody on his lyre and saves them from destruction. They pass the cattle of the god, Helios (grandfather of Medea) without incident, and they even get blown off course to the shores of Libya, although no Lotus Eaters are involved here.
The climax of the story takes place in the familiar court of King Alcinoös of Phaecia, where the Colchians show up and demand the return of Medea. I have given away so much of the story here, I will leave that scene for future readers to savor.
This book is a love story which cuts off well short of the tragic events that await Medea after her marriage. Having been so influenced by Edith Hamilton's account, I appreciated the narrower view.
What disappointed me about the plot was how human the heroes--and Medea--became after they left Colchis. There is much flight and very little that is heroic--one exception being the way the heroes pick up the Argo and carry it across Saharan sand dunes to a Libyan inlet that will help them sail back home.
Even Medea is mute for much of the last third. For example, the Argonaut, Mopsus, dies from an adder's sting without any mention of Medea, who presumably could have summoned drugs for a cure.
Still this is a worthwhile adventure for readers who love Greek epics. It isn't on a par with Homer. Nothing is.
I might add, the book isn't as good as an in-the-flesh visit to Georgia. Again, nothing is.
For full review and looks at related books: http://dittestgc15.blogspot.com/2015/...
October 23, 2020
I love reading old myths and legends, but I wonder with this particular translation if the translator was a little too eager to keep all of the poetic elements as some segments were very convoluted. Other wise a good story, and a fun little read.
May 29, 2017
Well this wasn't very good. It's one of the least interesting stories from the story of Jason and the Argonauts. Yahn.
September 30, 2020
One of the most inspiring and interesting part of the Argonautica tale by Apollonius Rhodius, the one speaking about the first encounter of Jason with Medea and his struggle to see through the supernatural task King Aeetes sets out for him in order to retrieve the Golden Fleece.
February 23, 2023
This was overly complicated.
January 16, 2022
Quick and decent read on Jason and the argonauts attempt to get the golden fleece with the help of Medea in love.
November 23, 2020
I was unfamiliar with the mythological tale about Jason and Medea so it took me a while to get on board. However, I applaud the translator for making the prose as lyrical and as effective as it could be made.
A short heroic tale on love, anguish and brutal war tactics. Though it did feel that it was just a part of the story and there had to be more to it, I enjoyed reading this little classic.
A short heroic tale on love, anguish and brutal war tactics. Though it did feel that it was just a part of the story and there had to be more to it, I enjoyed reading this little classic.
February 23, 2024
3.75☆ considering all the things that have happened in the argo’s journey, the choice to focus on the “relationship” between medea and jason, or rather the starting point of it, and romaticising it doesn’t sit well with me; but again, all of this traces back to the gods’ principles or lack thereof, and that is where the book is pretty much consistent with other pieces of greek mythology
i will not deny though that the passages which describe medea’s infatuation and jason’s promises are the best written ones
i will not deny though that the passages which describe medea’s infatuation and jason’s promises are the best written ones
February 23, 2023
'Like Sirius rising from Ocean, brilliant and beautiful, [Jason] sprang into view, splendid to look at but fraught with trouble for the lovesick girl. Her heart stood still, a mist descended on her eyes, and a warm flush spread across her cheeks. She could neither move towards him nor retreat; her feet were rooted to the ground' (Penguin Little Black Classics, 2015, p.35).
It has been some decades since I was acquainted with some of the Greek myths, through Robert Graves' highly detailed accounts (in Pelican, 1955, two volumes), and, of course, Homer's Odyssey (~700 BC). This excerpt is taken from Apollonius of Rhodes' epic poem Argonautica, of Jason and the Argonauts and their quest for the Golden Fleece. Unfortunately, while the tale of Jason completing the tasks Aeëtes sets him in order to win the Golden Fleece, has a long build-up, it ends too precipitously, and could have done with at least some coda.
However, even the fifty little pages here brings alive the pantheon of Greek gods and goddesses, and I had to look up many names mentioned, all of whom have a legendary story. The central one consists of Medea, daughter of Aeëtes and sister of Chalciope in the land of Colchis on the Black Sea, being struck by an arrow of Eros, Aphrodite's son, to fall in love with Jason, whose Argonauts had arrived by ship (the Argo) to obtain the Golden Fleece required for Jason to return to his homeland of Iolcus and claim his rightful throne from Pelias, who has killed his half-brother, the former king and Jason's father. Even in brief, this summary shows how much backstory is required to make more sense of this excerpt.
It is preceded by a visitation of Hera (Greek goddess of women, marriage, family and childbirth, wife and sister to Zeus) and Athena (goddess of wisdom, handicraft, and warfare) to Aphrodite (goddess of love, beauty, pleasure, passion and procreation) to obtain her aid of behalf of Jason (thus the services of Eros in striking Medea with love of Jason), since Hera has an outstanding grudge against Pelias as he had foregone obeisance to her, whereas Jason had helped Hera, disguised as an old woman, to cross a river in spate of flood.
As these necessary descriptions demonstrate, much of the relations of the gods, their progeny and the legendary characters of the stories needs to be known if you are to follow such a brief extract as this. And that begs the obvious question, the efficacy of such excerpts as standalone tales. As such, this is an interesting diversion, but a diversion nonetheless. Its effectiveness is that you immediately pull out a copy of Graves's Greek Myths from the library shelf and start hunting for more mythological tales.
This translation is from E.V. Rieu's Voyage of Argo (1959?), who also translated The Odyssey and The Iliad in the 1940s for Penguin. It avoids prolixity and flowery metaphor; it is uncomplicated, otherwise plain English. It helps, even while the frequent diversions of named legendary feats requires much referencing. I suppose the only way to deal with this is to get the full tale and read it throughout. Reading this little snippet has encouraged me to do just that, so in endeavouring to expose us to literature we may never have turned to, this little book has achieved its brief.
It has been some decades since I was acquainted with some of the Greek myths, through Robert Graves' highly detailed accounts (in Pelican, 1955, two volumes), and, of course, Homer's Odyssey (~700 BC). This excerpt is taken from Apollonius of Rhodes' epic poem Argonautica, of Jason and the Argonauts and their quest for the Golden Fleece. Unfortunately, while the tale of Jason completing the tasks Aeëtes sets him in order to win the Golden Fleece, has a long build-up, it ends too precipitously, and could have done with at least some coda.
However, even the fifty little pages here brings alive the pantheon of Greek gods and goddesses, and I had to look up many names mentioned, all of whom have a legendary story. The central one consists of Medea, daughter of Aeëtes and sister of Chalciope in the land of Colchis on the Black Sea, being struck by an arrow of Eros, Aphrodite's son, to fall in love with Jason, whose Argonauts had arrived by ship (the Argo) to obtain the Golden Fleece required for Jason to return to his homeland of Iolcus and claim his rightful throne from Pelias, who has killed his half-brother, the former king and Jason's father. Even in brief, this summary shows how much backstory is required to make more sense of this excerpt.
It is preceded by a visitation of Hera (Greek goddess of women, marriage, family and childbirth, wife and sister to Zeus) and Athena (goddess of wisdom, handicraft, and warfare) to Aphrodite (goddess of love, beauty, pleasure, passion and procreation) to obtain her aid of behalf of Jason (thus the services of Eros in striking Medea with love of Jason), since Hera has an outstanding grudge against Pelias as he had foregone obeisance to her, whereas Jason had helped Hera, disguised as an old woman, to cross a river in spate of flood.
As these necessary descriptions demonstrate, much of the relations of the gods, their progeny and the legendary characters of the stories needs to be known if you are to follow such a brief extract as this. And that begs the obvious question, the efficacy of such excerpts as standalone tales. As such, this is an interesting diversion, but a diversion nonetheless. Its effectiveness is that you immediately pull out a copy of Graves's Greek Myths from the library shelf and start hunting for more mythological tales.
This translation is from E.V. Rieu's Voyage of Argo (1959?), who also translated The Odyssey and The Iliad in the 1940s for Penguin. It avoids prolixity and flowery metaphor; it is uncomplicated, otherwise plain English. It helps, even while the frequent diversions of named legendary feats requires much referencing. I suppose the only way to deal with this is to get the full tale and read it throughout. Reading this little snippet has encouraged me to do just that, so in endeavouring to expose us to literature we may never have turned to, this little book has achieved its brief.
Read
September 22, 2021I have always had this unusual relationship with greek (or say any) mythology. To be honest, I used to find this particular genre "irrelevant", until i read The Iliad, and began to realize with time how greek mythology has shaped many of the great works and aspects of literature. I slowly started to lean towards this genre and suddenly came to another realization not too long ago— that I was starting to take this interest quite seriously.
But I have also struggled to understand it just as much. Maybe it's the slightly confusing writing style which makes it a bit difficult for me to keep up with or remember what's happening, or maybe it's the abundance of characters which sometimes throws me off the track. But I'm glad to have received some help through a couple of readers from bookstagram!
Having said this, I finished "Jason and Medea" a couple weeks ago. Although it felt reading like a brief piece of the original story, I was able to make a small progress with understanding it than I had made with The Iliad. I might really start taking greek mythology as seriously as I take reading classics or non-fictional works. I'd say I'm pretty excited about it, actually!
But I have also struggled to understand it just as much. Maybe it's the slightly confusing writing style which makes it a bit difficult for me to keep up with or remember what's happening, or maybe it's the abundance of characters which sometimes throws me off the track. But I'm glad to have received some help through a couple of readers from bookstagram!
Having said this, I finished "Jason and Medea" a couple weeks ago. Although it felt reading like a brief piece of the original story, I was able to make a small progress with understanding it than I had made with The Iliad. I might really start taking greek mythology as seriously as I take reading classics or non-fictional works. I'd say I'm pretty excited about it, actually!
August 8, 2016
This Little Black Classic is an excerpt from EV Rieu's translation of The Voyage of the Argo, also known as Jason and the Golden Fleece, Jason and the Argonauts and a few others.
This excerpt starts with Jason reaching Colchis on his journey for the Golden Fleece, and being set an impossible task by Aeëtes. His task – to yoke two flame breathing bulls and plow a field, then sow the field with serpents teeth which will sprout into an army of earth-born men who he must then defeat. Aided by Aeëtes daughter, Medea, Jason accomplishes the task – which is where this book ends.
There is meddling by the gods, there is gossip and flirting, there are favours given and taken.
The excerpt is quite well chosen - it has a beginning and and end, and it doesn't reference part or events that we haven't had knowledge of.
For me this was readable - the translation didn't seem overly clunky.
Solid 3 stars.
This excerpt starts with Jason reaching Colchis on his journey for the Golden Fleece, and being set an impossible task by Aeëtes. His task – to yoke two flame breathing bulls and plow a field, then sow the field with serpents teeth which will sprout into an army of earth-born men who he must then defeat. Aided by Aeëtes daughter, Medea, Jason accomplishes the task – which is where this book ends.
There is meddling by the gods, there is gossip and flirting, there are favours given and taken.
The excerpt is quite well chosen - it has a beginning and and end, and it doesn't reference part or events that we haven't had knowledge of.
For me this was readable - the translation didn't seem overly clunky.
Solid 3 stars.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 102 reviews