the Argonauts Flashcards
(20 cards)
Who was the leader of the Argonauts in some versions of the myth?
Mostly Jason, but in some versions, Herakles
What does the term ‘Sagnkretser’ refer to?
Groups or bodies of sagas
There is no direct English equivalent for this term.
What are typical centers around which Sagnkretser can be organized?
Individual heroes or groups of heroes, Dynasties, Locations
Examples include the house of Pelops, the house of Kadmos, and locations like Thebes and Troy.
What is a quest story?
A hero or group of heroes go on a journey to retrieve a special object or achieve a special goal.
Name a typical story pattern found in mythology and folktale.
Quest stories
Examples include Herakles’ dodekathlos and Odysseus’ journey home.
How many people were in the crew of the Argos?
About 50 people
The exact number and identities of the crew members can vary by source.
Who was said to have built the Argo?
Argos
Some sources claim that Athene supervised or built the ship.
What unique materials were used to build the Argo?
Timber from Mount Pelion and a plank from Zeus’s Oak at the Oracle in Dodona.
What does the Argo’s prow symbolize?
Speed and sometimes the gift of prophecy
This was attributed to Athene, who cut the wood personally.
Which era do all major sources about the Argonauts belong to?
Post-homeric era.
Who wrote about the Argonauts in the fourth Pythian ode?
Pindar (522-446 BC).
What does the Odyssey mention about the Argonauts?
It refers to the story as one that all men know about.
True or False: Herakles is consistently depicted as the leader of the Argonauts across all sources.
False.
In Apollonius of Rhodes’ version, what does Herakles do regarding leadership?
He declines the leadership role and passes it to Jason.
What is a common motif found in different stories, such as the tales of Talos and Achilles?
The one vulnerable spot.
What does the historical context suggest about the mythical Argo?
It might reflect genuine naval practice of its time.
Fill in the blank: The myth of the golden fleece may have origins in the Scythians using _______ to wash gold from river mountains.
sheepskin.
What is the title of the movie directed by Pasolini that is loosely based on the Argonauts?
Medea.
Name one movie from the 60s that tells the story of Jason and the Argonauts.
Jason and the Argonauts.
What character trait is Jason depicted as having in the myth?
Insecure.
