Jason's Quest for the Golden Fleece: A Hero's Journey, Lecture notes of History

Download Jason's Quest for the Golden Fleece: A Hero's Journey and more Lecture notes History in PDF only on Docsity! Jason and the Golden Fleece By Max I. A long time ago, a child named Jason was born in the small kingdom of Iolcus, which was in Northern Greece. He was born before actual Greek history, in a time where Gods and heroes still existed. He was the son of King Aeson, who ruled Iolcus fairly and justly. His mother was descended from Poseidon, the god of the sea. Therefore, Jason had royal blood and divine blood as well. Jason grew up to be a good looking and good-natured boy. He was polite to everybody and everybody liked him. And everybody knew that Jason would inherit the throne of Iolcus. He was a good friend of Max, who was a foreigner from Colchis. In fact, he was one of the most valuable people on the journey because he was from where the Golden Fleece was hidden. 10 years before Jason was born, a king and queen called Athamas and Nephele ruled in Northern Greece. However, king Athamas grew tired of his kind, virtuous queen, and sent her away so he could marry a cruel woman named Ino. However, Ino was so cruel she resolved to murder the king’s children, as she was mad after a argument with Athamas. Queen Nephele rushed back to save her children and enlisted the help of the God Hermes. Hermes created a massive golden ram to carry the two children to safety. Their names were Phrixus and Helle. The Ram carried them all the way to Colchis, where they could seek shelter. However, as they were flying over a great river that separates Europe from Asia, Helle fell off the Ram to her death. The river’s name is called the Hellespont, in honor of Helle. Phrixus made it to Colchis safely and sacrificed the Ram to the gods to thank them for his life. He skinned the fleece of the Golden Ram and kept it. However, it did not end up well for Phrixus. The evil king of Colchis, Aeetes, killed Phrixus to keep the Golden Fleece all for himself. The Fleece was not revered just for its beauty and awe of being a gift from the gods. It gave life! Crops grew plentiful, there were many healthy animals, it can heal a close to dead person, many things! All of this because of the gods and the love of a woman for her children! Jason was known to inherit the throne by all of Iolcus. However, a wicked man named Pelias seized the throne and shoved the good king Aeson into a dungeon. (This is when Jason was still quite young). However, a courageous nurse smuggled him out of the city, as Pelias would like to kill Jason to take the throne for himself. She took him to the centaur Chiron, who is the mythical trainer of heroes. Max had already gone to the camp, so he was not killed by the wicked Pelias. “Max, how did you get here?” “I walked”. They laughed and Max introduced him to Chiron. “Good to meet you, Jason. I hope you find a home here, and you become strong and hardy. Maybe you could even put some sense into your friend here”- He was interrupted by a crowd laughing at Max trying to use a sword. Chiron sighed. “Excuse me, Jason, I shall have to deal with that. Why don’t you settle down in the cave, find a good nook to relax in. You can start your training tomorrow.” ………… Back in the kingdom of Iolcus Pelias was resting comfortably in the former King Aeson’s room. “Bring me an oracle to tell me my future! Do it in 1 hour or less!” “Yes, my lord” says the servant as he stumbles out of the room. 2 HOURS LATER “My lord, I have finally found an oracle!” Pelias’s huge brows furrowed in anger. In fact, people say that when this happened, he looked like a huge angry llama with a hairy line on its forehead. “GUARDS! ESCORT THIS MAN OUT TO THE DUNGEONS WHERE HE WILL BE HELD FOR TRIAL AND THEN EXECUTED!!! HE IS TOO SLOW FOR MY TASTE!” The oracle spoke out for the first time, “Sir, shall I tell you your future?” The evil Pelias turned to her with an evil smile on his face. “Tell me my future!” The oracle divined that one day, soon, a man wearing one sandal would come and challenge Pelias for the kingdom! 10 YEARS LATER Jason and his friend Max had both become self-reliant, strong, and smart. Yet neither of them knew the truth about their lost kingdom. One day, when both were strong young men, Chiron informed them about the kingdom of Iolcus. “Your kingdom was taken over by the evil king Pelias. You both should go back and take back what you lost!” And soon they set off, both boys armed with spears and knives, and confident they could depose of Pelias.