Myth Monday Who Were the Argonauts

In the 3rd century B.C., at the center of learning at Alexandria, Apollonius of Rhodes wrote a famous epic poem about the heroes and demigods known as Argonauts who sailed to the Black Sea in search of adventure. Named for them, the poem is called the Argonautica. It begins:

(ll. 1-4) Beginning with thee, O Phoebus, I will recount the famous deeds of men of old, who, at the behest of King Pelias, down through the mouth of Pontus and between the Cyanean rocks, sped well-benched Argo in quest of the golden fleece.

Read more about the Argonauts.

Picture © NYPL Digital Gallery

Previous 2012 Myth Mondays:
Hercules Hurls His Guest
Scylla
Olympics Origins II: Myrtilos
Hercules the Giant Killer
The First Tyrant
The King and the Harpies
The Dawn Goddess Loves a Mortal
Vediovis
Even a Boar Wishes to Kiss Adonis
Hero and Adonis

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