Argonauts. One of the most celebrated enterprises of the heroic ages, one which forms a memorable epoch in Grecian history, a sort of separation-point between the fabulous and the authentic, was the Argonautic expedition. This was a voyage from Greece to Colchis in order to obtain the golden fleece, conducted by Jason, the son of Aeson, King of Thessaly. The undertaking was imposed upon him by his uncle Pelias. He invited the most illustrious heroes of Greece to unite in the expedition, and among those who joined him were Hercules, Castor and Pollux, Peleus, Pirithous, and Theseus. The vessel built for the purpose was named Argos, which after various adverse events arrived at Aea, the capital of Colchis.
