From clashing rocks to golden treasure, Jason and the Argonauts is the ultimate Greek mythological adventure. But what lies behind the legend? And why has it endured for millennia?In this episode, Tristan Hughes is joined by bestselling author Caroline Lawrence to chart Jason’s epic quest for the Golden Fleece. From harpies and dragons to the witch Circe and the bronze giant Talos, discover the mythical monsters, heroic crossovers and extraordinary journey that make this tale a timeless example of the hero’s journey — from Greece to Colchis and back again.For more of Caroline Lawrence and Jason and the Argonauts on The Ancients:The Minotaur: https://open.spotify.com/episode/72Efg0BmVFYunKg2FsDOQOThe Golden Fleece: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6OtHIiiC87BN4RMyOngK0tPresented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan, the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.All music from Epidemic SoundsThe Ancients is a History Hit podcast.Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe. You can take part in our listener survey here:https://uk.surveymonkey.com/r/6FFT7MK
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It's the Ancients on History Hit, I'm Tristan Hughes, your host. Today we're exploring arguably the greatest of the mythological Greek adventure stories, and a story that has survived in full. The legend of Jason and the Argonauts, their quest to retrieve the golden fleece, the fleece of a magical golden-winged ram, protected by a dragon and owned by a faraway kingdom east of the Black Sea.
Jason and his crew of heroes' many adventures during this quest to retrieve the Golden Fleece have captivated people for millennia. This is a story that goes from Greece to the Bosphorus, that narrow strait of water where Istanbul is today, to modern-day Georgia and the ancient Kingdom of Colchis.
before an extraordinary return journey that sees the Argonauts voyage up the river Danube, around the Adriatic Sea, across the Alps, navigating North Africa, before finally returning to Greece. It is quite the epic story, full of famous heroes from Greek mythology, a crossover par excellence.
and it also features many well-known mythical creatures ranging from harpies, to the dragon that guarded the Golden Fleece, to the witch Circe, the Sirens, the metal giant Talos, and more. Joining me to cover this epic ancient voyage from beginning to end is the best-selling author Caroline Lawrence. Caroline has been on the podcast before to cover the story of the Minotaur.
She has recently written a book about Greek mythology which includes the legend of Jason and the Argonauts and how it is a classic example of the hero's journey, something we see time and time again in movies today. Let's get into it. INTRO Caroline, it is such a pleasure to have you back on the podcast. Welcome back.
Oh, I am so honoured to be back. Thank you so much for inviting me back. It was really good fun last time and I hope we'll have fun today.
Oh, I'm sure we will. And as I said, last time was the Minotaur. This time you've got just as juicy. a topic of ancient Greek mythology. Jason and the Argonauts. I mean, Caroline, this feels like this ancient Greek version of the Avengers, this epic story of heroes all together going on a quest to a faraway land.
Absolutely. And no other story from the Greek myth has been retold in as many different ways by as many different authors as Jason and the Argonauts. And it's one of my favorites. I think it started off being one of my favorites because of the 1963 film, Jason and the Argonauts, which is so cheesy, but it's so wonderful. And it's got amazing special effects by Ray Harryhausen.
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