Pelias-Cretheus' son and Aeson's brother- ruled in Iolkos after Cretheus' death against Aeson's birthright. When he consulted the oracle concerning the Kingdom the god warned him to beware of Aeolos' descendants (Cretheus was Aeolos' son) because he was going to be killed by one of them. Then he started killing the Aeolides. Jason's parents being worried about their son's life sent him away to the famous pedagogue, Cheiron, on Pelion Mount to be brought up. There he was taught all those things which would give him a nice breeding, including medicine in which he excelled

. When Jason came of age he went back to Iolkos to reclaim the throne from the usurper Pelias who agreed to yield it if he brought him the Golden Fleece from Colchis. Pelias knew that what he asked from Jason was a hazardous and foolhardy venture and he was sure that Jason would never come back. Jason, however, craving for heroic glory (cleos) accepted the command and coming to Cheiron asked for his advice. Cheiron exhorted all the Greek heroes -almost all of them had spent part of their life being taught by him- to take part in that heroic expedition to the glory of Hellas and its people.

Jason and the nobles of Hellas accomplished their mission and after a long series of adventures, where they risked their lives and some of them died, they came back to Iolkos bringing the Golden Fleece with them.

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Last updated: 21 March 1996 23:44:34