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Jason and the Golden Fleece (The Argonautica)
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The Argonautica is the dramatic story of Jason's quest for the Golden Fleece and his relations with the dangerous princess Medea. 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 BC. Appollonius
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Paperback, Oxford World's Classics, 175 pages
Published
1998
by Oxford University Press
(first published -250)
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It's like Home Alone, but with Heracles instead of Macaulay Culkin, and an entirely different plot, setting, concept and theme.
It's like Home Alone, but with Heracles instead of Macaulay Culkin, and an entirely different plot, setting, concept and theme.
Oct 27, 2015
David Sarkies
rated it
liked it
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
People who love mythology
Recommended to David by:
My University Lecturer
Shelves:
adventure
A Mythological Pirate Raid
3 November 2015
Well, here I am sitting at home, on a public holiday, writing a review of a book that I have just finished. Well, maybe I should be out doing something else, but sometimes just sitting at home with a hot cup of tea is just as enjoyable. Anyway, apparently there is a horse race on today, a race that apparently stops a nation. So, while everybody else is gathering around food and joining in office pools to get the chance of maybe winning some money, I am ...more
3 November 2015
Well, here I am sitting at home, on a public holiday, writing a review of a book that I have just finished. Well, maybe I should be out doing something else, but sometimes just sitting at home with a hot cup of tea is just as enjoyable. Anyway, apparently there is a horse race on today, a race that apparently stops a nation. So, while everybody else is gathering around food and joining in office pools to get the chance of maybe winning some money, I am ...more
Lets be honest with ourselves here. Apollonius of Rhodes is no Homer, hell hes miles away from even being a Virgil. This 4 book rendition of Jason and the Argonauts is probably the strangest epic poem you will ever have the chance to read; how Apollonius depicts his heroes is astonishing and complex on many levels. For one thing, Jason is the most average Joe hero you will ever meet. The entire trip over to Colchis (for the golden fleece) hes thinking about how hes gonna be able to make it back
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*Rated 3.5/5 stars
Apr 04, 2019
Heather Purri
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Mythology Fans
Shelves:
nonfiction-n-myths
The Argonautica (A.K.A. Jason & the Argonauts or Jason & the Golden Fleece) is a Greek epic that is far superior to the Illiad or the Odyssey. Instead of individual glory, the Argonautica is about the importance of bonds between loved ones and keeping one's word. Although the story starts with a painfully lengthy discussion of each crew member, their lineages, and their glorious past deeds, the purpose of that become immediately clear - each crew member is equally important.
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Like an ancient Greek Avengers. A bunch of mythological superheroes go on a quest, fight some enemies, and have dealings with the gods.
Here is an adventure tale that continues to impress itself upon our lives. Though little is known about the author, the story is one of iconic legend accompanied by many a commentary on Hellenic origin myths. The writing is often quite lyrical, and many situations are dealt with in a humorous combination of overstatement and wry remark.
What impressed me the most as I read this book was the author's keen eye for human nature and the dramatic moment. This story is in many ways still as lively and ...more
What impressed me the most as I read this book was the author's keen eye for human nature and the dramatic moment. This story is in many ways still as lively and ...more
62. The Argonautika (Expanded Edition) by Apollonius Rhodius, translated with Introduction, commentary and glossary by Peter Green
composition: circa 200s bce,
translation 1997? (notes completed 2008)
format: 490 page paperback, University of California press (I read 383 pages, skipping 60+ page glossary, etc)
acquired: March, from amazon.com
read: Sep 23 - Oct 12
rating: 4
Part 1 - some setting
Homer left me wondering about Jason and his voyage in the Argo with his Argonauts and his quest for the ...more
composition: circa 200s bce,
translation 1997? (notes completed 2008)
format: 490 page paperback, University of California press (I read 383 pages, skipping 60+ page glossary, etc)
acquired: March, from amazon.com
read: Sep 23 - Oct 12
rating: 4
Part 1 - some setting
Homer left me wondering about Jason and his voyage in the Argo with his Argonauts and his quest for the ...more
It is hard to pin down why Argo is not a particularly satisfying read. It is unfair to compare any author to Homer, although the style, antiquity, and subject matter of this book invite the comparison. Apollonius is at his best when he is describing scenes like Medea's indecision over whether to go to Jason or obey her father. Unfortunately long sections of the book read like this line from page 180. "Later on, the Bacchiadae, whose native place was Ephyra, settled there too, and the Colchians
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From the mists of ancient days long past, comes the tale of the Greek hero Jason and his 56 heroic friends.
They set sail on the inland sea towards the Bosporus to claim the golden fleece with which to allay a family curse that has hung over Jason. This task is supposed to result in his death, and was given him by one King who wanted him dead. By securing the fleece he is to secure release from the King; and in doing so, engage the wrath of another King.
The Argonautica is a story that was ...more
They set sail on the inland sea towards the Bosporus to claim the golden fleece with which to allay a family curse that has hung over Jason. This task is supposed to result in his death, and was given him by one King who wanted him dead. By securing the fleece he is to secure release from the King; and in doing so, engage the wrath of another King.
The Argonautica is a story that was ...more
Jul 14, 2018
catriona (reads)
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
books-i-own,
translated
My first ancient text and I really enjoyed it! The introduction and explanatory notes were extremely helpful and though I'm sure I missed out on a few references I still had a great time with the story. Definitely one to reread in the future and has spurred me on to tackle the Odessy!
A wonderful adventure! Been meaning to read this for a long time and it did not disappoint. The text itself is also very intriguing in terms of history, place and interpretation, something I'd like to look into some more.
3.5 stars.
Cool idea. Cool title. Cool behind-the-scenes story of how it came to be performed and written (feud between Callimachus & his student, Apollonius). Ultimately, I have to side with Callimachus on this one. Cyclic/Epic poetry as a form 500+ years after Homer put the world on its ear with The Iliad & The Odyssey was dead. Well, maybe not. Virgil has something to say about it, doesn't he? But apparently the Greek world was full of imitators. And bad ones, at that. Apollonius, my misguided
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I have been exposed to a number of versions of the Jason story from retellings in children's books of Greek mythology that I read when I was very young to the Ray Harryhausen movie to the Latin version by Flaccus, which I read in my high school Latin class. So I thought that it was time to finally read the definitive version by Apollonius Rhodius. It was good, but a little disappointing. The character of Medea was great, but the story and the rest of the characters were less fleshed out than I
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May 17, 2018
Eclectic Indulgence
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
ancient-classics,
lec
3 stars until Medea shows up but 5 stars afterwards.
(As posted on Zezee with Books.)
Quick summary:
Jason and the Argonauts, also called Argonautica, by Apollonius of Rhodes is an epic poem that tells the adventures of Jason and his companions as they sail to fetch the Golden Fleece from King Aeëtes of Colchis.
Jasons uncle, the Greek King Pelias, contrived the plan when he saw Jason at his banquet. An oracle had told him that someone wearing a single sandal would kill him and Jason had shown up wearing one sandal (he lost the other in some mud when ...more
Quick summary:
Jason and the Argonauts, also called Argonautica, by Apollonius of Rhodes is an epic poem that tells the adventures of Jason and his companions as they sail to fetch the Golden Fleece from King Aeëtes of Colchis.
Jasons uncle, the Greek King Pelias, contrived the plan when he saw Jason at his banquet. An oracle had told him that someone wearing a single sandal would kill him and Jason had shown up wearing one sandal (he lost the other in some mud when ...more
My biggest takeaway from reading this is a fascination with how interwoven the ancient Greek gods are in their everyday life: the omens and portents abundant in the tale reflect an obsession with them parallel to other polytheistic cultures. That, and how the world of men seems to be one long game to them, influenced by the gods' fancies and whims.
The ending was weak, though. For such an exciting tale, it sort of died lamely, like a candle run its course.
4 out of 5 sacrificial sheep.
The ending was weak, though. For such an exciting tale, it sort of died lamely, like a candle run its course.
4 out of 5 sacrificial sheep.
Character? Hero? What? The best part of this book is the off the wall, days-be-gone imagery
Not necessarily my favorite of the Greek classics, but was still good. I had always wanted to know the origin of the story of Jason, the Argonauts, and the Golden Fleece which was the main reason I picked this up. Not quite as thrilling and action-packed as The Odyssey or The Iliad (at least in my opinion), but still gives you a good combination of romance, action, blood-shed, and adventure. I would definitely only recommend this to someone that is an avid fan of classic Greek mythology lit
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Appollonius of Rhodes, 300 BC, situates the events of his epic song some years before Homers Odysee.
He mentions Achilles in his mothers arms, still a child.
Homer is however his obvious guide in many ways, the progression of the story, the difficulties of the heroes along their quest to recover the golden fleece, beeing helped by Medea, the Colchian princess and various gods under the guidance of Hera.
All very similar to Ulysses, but not quite as rich, colourful and detailed.
He mentions Achilles in his mothers arms, still a child.
Homer is however his obvious guide in many ways, the progression of the story, the difficulties of the heroes along their quest to recover the golden fleece, beeing helped by Medea, the Colchian princess and various gods under the guidance of Hera.
All very similar to Ulysses, but not quite as rich, colourful and detailed.
I had always wanted to read the story of Jason, the Argo, and the Golden Fleece. This 3,000 year-old story by Rhodius Apollonius was good, but not great. The translation was excellent, and it flowed, but as far as action and adventure, the story does not compare to the Iliad, the Odyssey, and the Aeneid. A story worth reading. But dont expect to be blown away.
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Poor Medea, but more on her in Euripides' play.
Perhaps not as good as The Illiad and Odyssey, it was still entertaining to read.
Perhaps not as good as The Illiad and Odyssey, it was still entertaining to read.
An impressive work: lovely and lyrical writing, a deft portrayal of human nature, and everything you could ask for in a story of high adventure.
This is one of those classical works that I've read parts of, over the years, but never cover-to-cover. Our university recently staged Medea (Euripides), and attending it reminded me of my scholarly failure to have read this basic text, and, alas, Pindar's Odes.
Seaton's translation is, to me, both clear and problematical. He has elected to write it in that King James' Bible English that was, in centuries before this, a common way to render all ancient texts (lots of thees and thous and shalls ...more
Seaton's translation is, to me, both clear and problematical. He has elected to write it in that King James' Bible English that was, in centuries before this, a common way to render all ancient texts (lots of thees and thous and shalls ...more
This is a great read for someone who likes Greek mythology, but with a touch of humour and romance.
Because I'm writing about this work at college, I'm deep into research. But I don't agree with the negative opinions. Perhaps you mustn't expect too much! It's not heroic at all, no Iliad, no Odyssee, but I managed to read it completely and I did it at the beach during summer vacation.
Whatever someone says about that there aren't heroic characters - well, there are young, everyday "heroes" and it's ...more
Because I'm writing about this work at college, I'm deep into research. But I don't agree with the negative opinions. Perhaps you mustn't expect too much! It's not heroic at all, no Iliad, no Odyssee, but I managed to read it completely and I did it at the beach during summer vacation.
Whatever someone says about that there aren't heroic characters - well, there are young, everyday "heroes" and it's ...more
This is one of the most fun and enjoyable epics Ive ever read. Jason is an unlikely hero: not the strongest, the smarter, or even the first choice of the Argonauts, his triumph is almost entirely due to others, especially Medea. But his flaws and faults are exactly why I am drawn to his character. He isnt the mythical demi-god who takes on the world and overcomes all obstacles. Hes the most human protagonist of an epic I can ever remember reading. Considering that most dramatic portrayals of
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So I had to read this for class, and I didnt actually read this exact translation, but my copy has all of this extra commentary that I didnt read and I didnt want to cheat and say Id read the commentary when I hadnt and ANYWAY, the translation I read was actually by Peter Green.
This was good! Like Im in this minor for a reasonI like stories like this. Sometimes 😜 But this was pretty interesting. If you like the Iliad or the Odyssey, this is basically a shorter version of that about Jason and ...more
This was good! Like Im in this minor for a reasonI like stories like this. Sometimes 😜 But this was pretty interesting. If you like the Iliad or the Odyssey, this is basically a shorter version of that about Jason and ...more
3.5 stars, but a lot of fun in parts!
Rated 3,75/5*
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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
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