| Author |
Apollonius, Rhodius |
| Translator |
Seaton, R. C. (Robert Cooper), 1853-1915 |
| Title |
The Argonautica
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| Note |
Reading ease score: 74.0 (7th grade). Fairly easy to read.
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| Note |
Wikipedia page about this book: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argonautica
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| Credits |
Produced by Douglas B. Killings, and David Widger
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| Summary |
"The Argonautica" by Apollonius Rhodius is an epic poem composed in the 3rd century B.C. It centers on the mythological quest of Jason and his band of heroes, collectively known as the Argonauts, as they embark on a perilous journey to retrieve the golden fleece from the distant land of Colchis. The narrative intricately weaves together themes of adventure, divine intervention, and human emotion, particularly spotlighting the relationship between Jason and the sorceress Medea. At the start of the poem, the narrative introduces Jason, who arrives in Iolcus with one sandal, fulfilling a prophecy that foretells his confrontation with King Pelias. The king, recognizing Jason as a threat to his throne, sends him on an impossible mission to recover the golden fleece as a means of disposing of him. Jason gathers a diverse group of heroes, including notable figures like Heracles, Orpheus, and the two sons of Boreas. As they prepare to set sail on the ship Argo, the opening passages highlight Jason's determination, the camaraderie of the Argonauts, and foreshadow the challenges they will face on their quest. The emotional farewell of Jason's mother, Alcimede, adds a poignant layer to the story, setting the stage for the epic journey filled with trials and tribulations ahead. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
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| Language |
English |
| LoC Class |
PA: Language and Literatures: Classical Languages and Literature
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| Subject |
Classical literature
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| Subject |
Argonauts (Greek mythology)
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| Subject |
Jason -- (Mythological character)
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| Subject |
Medea, consort of Aegeus, King of Athens (Mythological character)
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| Category |
Text |
| EBook-No. |
830 |
| Release Date |
Feb 1, 1997 |
| Most Recently Updated |
Jun 22, 2020 |
| Copyright Status |
Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads |
2400 downloads in the last 30 days. |
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