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 Introduction
Argo Sets Sail
The Starving King...
The Golden Fleece
The Return Home

Jason was brought to me, Chiron, by his mother when he was an infant. She was protecting him from his uncle, Pelias. The reason she brought him to me was that Jason was the son of King Aeson of Iolcus. Pelias is the half brother of King Aeson. Before Jason was born, Pelias overthrew King Aeson and imprisoned him. King Pelias did not want to lose his new kingdom so once Jason was born he planned to kill him. King Aeson's wife did not want her son to die so she decided to fake the infant’s death and secretly bring him to me.

Jason was not the first child I had raised and tutored. I tutored many people, most notably Achilles and Hercules. Hercules is the reason I created medicine. He shot me with a poisoned arrow and I created a medicine to cure me. Jason was a quick learner. I taught Jason many useful skills such as the arts, hunting, survival and battle skills. He was very well-mannered young man.
          One story that comes to my mind that displays Jason's character is the story when he was about ten years old. I was teaching Jason how to hunt. We were coming up to a tiger. Jason had his spear in his hand. He quietly positioned himself for the kill. Jason was about to throw the spear, but stopped. The tiger was feeding her newborn cubs. Jason could not bear to see the cubs lose their mother so he walked away from the kill. Jason was a kind hearted man. He would never harm anyone or thing if it is not necessary.

Achilles and Chiron. Fresco from Pompeii. 1^st Century. Chiron

When Jason was old enough, he left me and went back to Iolcus to reclaim the throne that was rightfully his. Now what Jason did not know was that he had the Queen of Olympus and wife of Zeus, Hera, on his side. She did not like his Uncle Pelias. Hera is the only god that Pelias did not honor. She wanted to punish Pelias by taking his throne away from him, but she needed someone that was worthy. Hera disguised herself as an old woman and waited by the river. While Jason was on his way to Ioclus, he came to the river that was rough and choppy. The old woman asked if he would help her across. Jason graciously set her on his back and carried her across the river. Some say Hera revealed herself to Jason when they reached opposite bank, others say she did not. I don’t know which is correct, but I do know that on the way across the river Jason lost one of his sandals.

King Pelias was concerned about his ability to keep the kingdom that he stole. An oracle warned Pelias to watch out for a man wearing one sandal. When Jason arrived at the palace, he was taken to Pelias immediately. Pelias was intimidated by the stature of Jason. He was tall, handsome and athletic, but what really frightened Pelias was that he was only wearing one sandal.

Jason told Pelias, “I am the son of your half brother Aeson. I am the rightful heir to the throne. I will let you take with you the riches you have collected; I just want is rightfully mine, the kingdom.”

Pelias also did not want to quarrel either, for he was had become old and frail. Pelias still had a sharp mind though. Pelias responded to Jason, “You can have the throne, but first you must bring back the Golden Fleece from the kingdom of Colchis. The fleece is guarded by a sleepless dragon and hangs on the branch of a tree. The fleece was cut off a ram that belonged to our kingdom. If you can bring the Golden Fleece back, I will return the throne to you.”

Jason thought it would be a great adventure and agreed to go on the quest. All Jason needed now was a ship and crew to assist him on the quest.

Authors Commentary:
          I decided to tell this story from the perspective of Chiron the Centaur. Chiron tutored Jason and taught him everything he could. I thought it would be a good way to tell what type of person Jason was  by telling the story through Chiron who is a father figure to Jason.  All the websites had only the story of Jason and the Golden Fleece. I created the story about Jason going on a hunt. I thought it would be a way for Chiron to give more information about Jason that nobody else could tell the reader about. This story is the basis for the journey for the Golden Fleece. It gives the reason why Jason goes on the quest. The key points that need to be taken from the story are that Jason is a kind person and the rightful heir to the throne. Also I want people to understand that he went on the quest so that he could reclaim the throne and have an adventure. I like this story because I find it interesting that Jason was tutored by the same person the tutored other great Greek heroes like Achilles and Hercules. I hope you liked the story and will continue with Jason's quest.




"Jason"
    By Carlos Parada
    Weblink. http://homepage.mac.com/cparada/GML/Jason.html (Greek Mythology Link)

"The Quest"
    By Joel Skidmore
    Web link. http://www.mythweb.com/heroes/jason/ (Heroes)

"Jason and the Argonauts"
    By Unknown
    Web link. http://www.pccc.cc.nj.us/asrc/readwrit/jason.html (Passaic County Community College)

"Chiron the Centaur"
    By Unknown
    Web link. http://www.pccc.cc.nj.us/asrc/readwrit/jason.html (About.com)

"Chiron"
    By Carlos Parada
    Web link. http://homepage.mac.com/cparada/GML/Chiron.html (Greek Mythology Link)