55 pages • 1 hour read
Edgar Parin d'Aulaire, Ingri d'AulaireA modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
The centaur Chiron raised Jason of Iolaus to be a hero. Jason’s father had lost his throne to his brother, Pelias. When Jason grew up, he set off to reclaim his father’s throne. Admiring his good looks, Hera disguised herself as an elderly woman who needed his help to cross a stream. Jason gallantly helped her, losing a sandal in the process, after which Hera revealed herself to him and pledged her support in his quest.
When Jason arrived in Iolcus, Pelias pretended to welcome him warmly, but an oracle had warned him that a young man with one sandal would unseat him. Pelias told Jason that he would relinquish his crown if Jason brought the Golden Fleece back to Greece from Colchis. The Fleece had once been “the coat of a flying ram” (214) that Zeus had sent to save Thessalian prince Phrixus. After rescuing Phrixus, the golden ram flew him to Colchis, where he married the daughter of the local king, who sacrificed the ram and hung its coat in a sacred grove. Pelias was confident that the king would never willingly part with the Fleece, which a dragon guarded.
However, Jason had Hera’s help.
Plus, gain access to 8,500+ more expert-written Study Guides.
Including features:
Appearance Versus Reality
View Collection
Books & Literature
View Collection
Books on Justice & Injustice
View Collection
Brothers & Sisters
View Collection
Challenging Authority
View Collection
Colonialism & Postcolonialism
View Collection
Community
View Collection
Daughters & Sons
View Collection
Education
View Collection
Fate
View Collection
Fathers
View Collection
Good & Evil
View Collection
Juvenile Literature
View Collection
Marriage
View Collection
Mythology
View Collection
Nature Versus Nurture
View Collection
Order & Chaos
View Collection
Power
View Collection
Safety & Danger
View Collection
Truth & Lies
View Collection