📖 The Argonautica (Verse)

As the only surviving epic myth of the Hellenistic era, «The Argonautica» chronicles the heroic exploits of Jason and his fellow Argonauts in their quest for the Golden Fleece from remote Colchis. Written by Apollonius Rhodius, or Apollonius of Rhodes, during the 3rd century B.C. the story begins with the prophetic warning to Pelias, king of Iolcus, that his downfall will be the work of a man with only one sandal. When it appears that Jason, who has lost his footwear while crossing a stream, is this one sandaled man, Pelias sends him on what he believes will be a suicidal mission to retrieve the Golden Fleece. During its time «The Argonautica» was a bold contemporary reworking of the heroic epic in the Homeric tradition which is remarkable for its exploration of the development of the love between hero and heroine. This classic work of Greek mythology greatly influenced the subsequent works of Roman mythology, including Virgil's «Aeneid», and is a must read for students and fans of the genre. Presented here in this edition is the verse translation of Arthur S. Way.