Medea

Herkulaneischer Meister 001

Jason and Medea - John William Waterhouse

Ag. S 370(5)

Medeia child Louvre K300

Medea and a nurse protecting a child, 2nd c. BC, Archaeological Museum, Dion (7080071423)

Pittore di policoro (ambito), cratere a calice con scene della medea e del telephos di euripide, lucania 400 ac ca. 03

Medea is a figure in Greek mythology, renowned for her complex relationship with Jason and her pivotal role in the myth of the Argonauts and the quest for the Golden Fleece. Medea is often depicted as a powerful sorceress or witch, possessing magical abilities that she uses to help Jason, only to later become a tragic figure due to the betrayal and loss she suffers.

Origins and Family

Medea is said to be the daughter of King Aeëtes of Colchis, a kingdom located at the edge of the Black Sea, which was famous for its wealth and connection to the Sun God Helios. Her mother is either Idyia, the youngest of the Oceanids, or Hecate, a goddess associated with magic, witchcraft, and the underworld, depending on the version of the myth. Medea's lineage thus imbues her with divine connections and a natural inclination towards powerful magic.

Role in the Quest for the Golden Fleece

Medea's story is intrinsically linked with that of Jason and the Argonauts. Jason arrives in Colchis to claim the Golden Fleece, a task set to him as part of a series of challenges to regain his rightful throne. Medea falls in love with Jason, often said to be through the machinations of the goddess Aphrodite, who sends her son Eros to shoot Medea with an arrow of love. Overcome by her feelings, Medea agrees to help Jason, betraying her father and her country in the process.

She provides Jason with the knowledge and means to overcome the various magical defenses around the Golden Fleece, including the reanimation of the dragon that guards it. With her help, Jason succeeds in his quest, and together, they flee Colchis, taking the Golden Fleece with them.

Betrayal and Revenge

The tale of Medea takes a dark turn after her flight with Jason. Upon reaching Iolcus, Jason's homeland, they find that Jason's uncle, Pelias, refuses to relinquish the throne. Medea uses her sorcery to trick Pelias' daughters into killing him, thus avenging Jason. However, the couple is forced to flee Iolcus due to the nature of their actions.

Their journey eventually leads them to Corinth, where Jason betrays Medea by abandoning her to marry Glauce, the daughter of King Creon of Corinth. Enraged and heartbroken, Medea enacts a terrible revenge, sending a poisoned robe to Glauce, which kills her and, indirectly, her father. The most tragic aspect of her revenge involves the murder of her own children by Jason, a deed that has been interpreted in various ways across different versions of the myth.

Legacy

Medea's legacy is a complex one. She is often seen as a symbol of the wrath and vengeance of a woman wronged, as well as a figure embodying the dangers and powers of magic. Her story has been retold and reinterpreted through various lenses over the centuries, including in the famous tragedy Medea by the ancient Greek playwright Euripides, which explores themes of barbarism versus civilization, the position of women in society, and the nature of justice and revenge.