The trip of the Argonauts to Colchis, on the eastern Black Sea littoral, constitutes one of the major problems of World History. For such a trip implies several questions, namely: I) Why did the trip from Thessaly, Hellas, to Colchis take place? II) When did it take place? III.Who were the Argonauts? IV) How and when did they come back to Hellas?
In this paper, answers will be given to all of these questions.
It is the text of a conference delivered at the University of Bucharest in May 2017.
Table of Contents
I. The aim of the trip to Colchis
II. The date of the trip
III. The Argonauts
IV. The Trip back to Hellas
Research Objectives and Themes
This paper examines the historical and legendary context surrounding the expedition of the Argonauts to Colchis, specifically investigating the motives behind the journey, the identity of the participants, and the geographical routes taken during their return to Hellas.
- The economic and strategic motivations for early Greek voyages to the Black Sea region.
- The identification of the Argonauts as historically significant figures, specifically the Minyans.
- An analysis of the chronological placement of the expedition within the prehistoric era.
- The debate regarding the return routes of the Argonauts, including theories on maritime navigation and trade.
- The historical significance of the Argonautic campaign as an early instance of large-scale maritime circumnavigation.
Excerpt from the Book
The aim of the trip to Colchis
The real story is clear-cut: the Argonauts were looking for gold on the eastern shore of the Black Sea. Hellas, nowadays Greece, is a poor, unproductive country. So, wealth may be imported into the Hellenic lands but never exported from them.
The countries around the Black Sea, on the other hand, were celebrated for their riches. It was quite natural, therefore, that from very ancient times on people from Greece were entering the Euxine Sea in order to gain wealth and power. In other words, the lands surrounding the Black Sea were something of an Eldorado of the Ancient Times.
The legend, on the other hand, is well-known. Jason, nephew of Pelias, King of Iolcos, Thessaly, embarked on a campaign to the Black Sea. For Pelias feared an oracle that Jason would take the kingly power from him. He devised, therefore, a trick, so that Jason could die on a “fraudulent journey”; and he ordered that the famous Golden Fleece be carried from Colchis, nowadays Georgia, to Iolcos. Jason was taken aback, and raising his hands in veneration, he called upon Hera, whom he honoured as the “most holy” among gods. And Hera yielded to Jason’s prayer; for she admired and loved the “virtuous hero” more greatly than every other man.
Summary of Chapters
I. The aim of the trip to Colchis: This chapter establishes the economic motivation behind the journey, noting that the Black Sea region served as a source of wealth, and introduces the legendary narrative involving Jason and the Golden Fleece.
II. The date of the trip: This section provides a chronological context for the expedition, situating the event in the first half of the nineteenth century BC, effectively categorizing it within the prehistoric period.
III. The Argonauts: This chapter identifies the crew of the Argo as the Minyans, a wealthy and technologically advanced group of Pelasgian origin, who were the precursors to later Hellenic populations.
IV. The Trip back to Hellas: The final chapter analyzes the potential routes taken by the Argonauts upon their return, discussing theories of their navigation through various European river systems to reach the Mediterranean.
Keywords
Argonauts, Pelasgians, Minyans, Black Sea, Colchis, Jason, Golden Fleece, Thessaly, Hellas, Ancient History, Trade, Navigation, Prehistoric Times, Iolcos, Medea.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental subject of this research paper?
The paper investigates the expedition of the Argonauts to Colchis, analyzing it as both a legendary event and a historical problem regarding ancient maritime exploration and trade.
What are the central thematic areas covered in this work?
The study focuses on the motives for the expedition, the identity of the Argonauts, the chronology of the event, and the geographical routes of their return.
What is the primary objective of this academic study?
The goal is to provide evidence-based answers to four key questions: why the trip took place, when it occurred, who the Argonauts were, and how they returned to Hellas.
Which scientific method is utilized in this paper?
The author employs an analytical approach based on historical and philological research, cross-referencing legendary accounts with scholarly literature and geographical theories.
What topics are discussed in the main part of the paper?
The main part covers the economic incentives for Greek voyages to the Black Sea, the social origins of the Minyans, and alternative theories regarding the maritime path taken by the Argonauts after leaving Colchis.
Which keywords best characterize this research?
The work is characterized by terms such as Argonauts, Minyans, Pelasgians, Black Sea, and ancient trade routes.
What role did Medea play in the success of the Argonauts?
According to the text, Medea, daughter of King Aeetes, provided Jason with the necessary secrets to overcome the guardians of the Golden Fleece, driven by her love for him.
How does the author interpret the route taken by the Argonauts back to Hellas?
The author presents two solutions: the less plausible account of the River Danube, and a more likely theory that they navigated rivers like the Dnieper or Don to reach Northern Europe before returning to the Mediterranean.
- Quote paper
- Dimitris Michalopoulos (Author), 2017, The Argonauts in the Black Sea, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1728502
