The Argonautica

The Argonautica is a Greek epic poem written by Apollonius of Rhodes in the 3rd century BCE. It tells the story of Jason and the Argonauts, a group of heroes who set out on a quest to retrieve the Golden Fleece from the kingdom of Colchis. The epic is set in motion by a prophetic warning to Pelias, king of Iolcus, that his downfall will be the work of a man with only one sandal. Jason has recently emerged as the man in question, having lost a sandal while crossing a swollen stream. He therefore sends Jason on a suicidal mission to bring back the fleece of the golden-woolled, winged ram, Chrysomallos. Along the way, he and his men encounter many challenges, including battling monsters, navigating treacherous waters, and facing the wrath of the gods. They are aided by the sorceress Medea, who falls in love with Jason and uses her magical powers to help him complete his mission. In the end, Jason and the Argonauts return triumphantly to Greece with the Golden Fleece, but not without experiencing great loss and tragedy. The Argonautica is a classic example of Greek epic poetry, full of adventure, heroism, and mythical elements.

This book has 61,179 words. This prose translation by R. C. Seaton was originally published in 1912.