Jason and the Golden Fleece

by Apollonius of Rhodes, E.V. Rieu (Translator)

It is a task that no man has ever completed: to bring back a magical ram's fleece that lies hidden in a far-off land, guarded by an all-seeing serpent. But one man, Jason, must try.

Genres: Classics, Fiction

100 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 251

About the author

Apollonius 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

Reviews

[Smiley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Translated from Greek by E.V. Rieu, this book “Jason and the Golden Fleece” taken from “The Voyage of Argo” written by Apollonius of Rhodes in the third century B.C. is interestingly worth reading regarding its incredible adventure and high romance. However, I think there might be the result of translated wording or the context misunderstood; therefore, some parts might need careful reading and interpretation, for instance:

By gentle steps they had advanced so far towards an understanding. And now they parted, he (Jason) in a joyful mood to go back to his companions and the ship, she (Medea) to rejoin her maids, who all ran up to meet her. But as they gathered round, she did not even notice them: her head was in the clouds. Without knowing what she did, she got into her carriage to drive the mules, taking the reins in one hand and the whip in the other. … (p. 82)

I wondered what Medea had done so ‘her head was in the clouds’ and why? Probably I should have read more on this “witch-princess Medea” (back cover) in the Wikipedia, she’s not a human being like Jason so she has her magic powers.

[PurplyCookie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Argonautica is the dramatic story of Jason's quest for the Golden Fleece and his relations with the dangerous Princess Medea. "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned."

The only surviving Greek epic to bridge the gap between Homer and late antiquity, this epic poem is the crowning literary achievement of the Ptolemaic court at Alexandria, written by Appolonius of Rhodes in the third century B.C.

Apollonius explores many of the fundamental aspects of life in a highly original way: love, deceit, heroism, human ignorance of the divine, and the limits of science, and offers a gripping and sometimes disturbing tale in the process. The charm of the poem lies in the strange, dreamlike athmosphere.

Overall for a translation, it's not the best, and it is fairly confusing to read. And I was disappointed that the story abruptly ends when Jason succeeds in sowing the serpent's teeth and defeating the earthbound creatures who sprung forth.


Book Details:

Title Jason and the Golden Fleece (Penguin Epics)
Author Apollonius
Reviewed By Purplycookie

[Mark · Rating 2 out of 5]

When I read these Greek and Roman "history" texts, I usually walk away thinking how much of a jerk the main "hero" is and how much women are abused, debased and degraded and denigrated in these stories. Jason is a jerk, and women suffer, are used and abused regardless if they are good or bad.

[Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

I already know the story, having read several versions (and picked bits of it up from general knowledge), but I liked this version.

[heidi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Why does this book stop BEFORE we get to the part with the minotaur and the labyrinth????? 😩

[Jarod · Rating 2 out of 5]

This version is Books Two and Three of E.V. Rieu's Argonautica translation, which is a great translation, but contrary to what the title claims the golden fleece does not feature in the excerpt.

[Pink · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh, I didn't much care for the prose translation and found myself wishing I was reading Medea instead. More okay than epic.