Tab Article

ratings: ★★★★☆ (4.1/5)
Genre: Epic Poetry, Classic Literature, Mythology

Book Review:
Before Homer's Odyssey, there was another great sea voyage, another tale of heroes, monsters, and gods. It is the story of Jason and the Argonauts, and their quest for the Golden Fleece. While the story was told and retold throughout antiquity, the only complete version that has survived is this one: Apollonius of Rhodes's The Voyage of Argo, a masterpiece of Hellenistic poetry that deserves to be much better known.

The poem tells the story of Jason, a young prince who is sent on a seemingly impossible quest by his wicked uncle, Pelias. He must sail to the distant land of Colchis and bring back the Golden Fleece, the symbol of kingship. Jason gathers a crew of the greatest heroes of the age, including Heracles, Orpheus, and the twins Castor and Pollux. Together, they build the ship Argo and set sail into the unknown.

Their journey is a catalog of wonders and terrors. They encounter the Lemnian women, who have murdered their husbands and live in a society without men. They lose their greatest hero, Heracles, when he is left behind on the coast of Mysia. They navigate the dangerous Clashing Rocks, which smash any ship that tries to pass between them. They are tempted by the Sirens, whose beautiful songs lure sailors to their deaths.

The heart of the poem, however, is not the adventure but the love story. When Jason and his crew finally reach Colchis, they are met by King Aeetes, who has no intention of giving up the Fleece. He sets Jason a series of impossible tasks: yoking fire-breathing bulls, plowing a field, and sowing dragons' teeth that sprout into armed warriors. Jason can only succeed with the help of the king's daughter, Medea. Medea is a priestess of Hecate and a powerful sorceress. When she sees Jason, she is struck by a passion so powerful that it overcomes her loyalty to her father and her homeland. Apollonius's portrayal of Medea's inner conflict, her psychological struggle between love and duty, is one of the great achievements of ancient literature. It is a portrait of a woman in love that feels startlingly modern.

The Voyage of Argo is a poem of immense richness and complexity. It is an adventure story, a love story, and a profound meditation on heroism, fate, and the power of passion. It is also a deeply learned work, full of references to geography, mythology, and literature.

This Penguin Classics edition features E.V. Rieu's classic translation, which is clear, readable, and captures the narrative drive of the original. It also includes a helpful glossary of Greek names and a map, making it easy for the modern reader to follow the Argo's epic journey.

The Voyage of Argo is an essential read for anyone interested in Greek mythology, classical literature, or simply a great story. It is the tale that inspired countless later works, and it remains a thrilling and moving masterpiece in its own right. Highly recommended.