Fact 1

The deep relation between Ancient Hellenes and the Sea, which goes back to inconceivable times, is mainly proved by the Ancient Hellenic Cosmogony and the fact that among their Gods a prominent position had been given to the God of the sea, POSEIDON. Apart from Poseidon there were other sea-deities as well. Oceanus, on the other hand, occupied an honoured place in the pantheon of ancient Hellenes.



Fact 2

The building of the Argo and the selected crew indicate the degree of relation between Hellas and the Sea in the ancient times as well as the importance of that voyage.

Fact 3

The fact that Pelias sent Jason to Colchis certain that Jason would never come back might mean two possibilities: Either Colchis was really situated by Euxinus Pontus and its people as well as the other neighbouring peoples were wild and dangerous, or Colchis was somewhere far in the Atlantic Ocean (S.America).

Fact 4

The name of Electris Island is mentioned in the myth (Apollonius Rhodius) without anymore information about it. However, the name of it indicates something. Amber (Electron in Hellenic)was found on the islands of the Valtiki Sea, and Hellenes got it from there. Consequently, without going too far we could conclude that "Electris Island" was in the Valtiki Sea and the Argonauts had sailed past that area.

Fact 5

In the myth is also mentioned that among other nations they had passed by, were Hyperboreans as well. As it is clear from the name these people were not just to the North of the Euxinus Pontus but to the upper North (Hyper boreans). Ancient sources place them near the North Pole. There are several myths which show an intimate relationship between Hyperboreans and Hellenes, especially those from Delos island because Apollo used to be the greatest god for Hyberboreans and Delos was Apollo's birthplace. Diodorus Sykeliotis (B47) says "Hyperboreans have their own language and they are favourably disposed towards Hellenes particularly Athenians and Delians - a friendship which they inherited from their ancestors. Tradition says that Hellenes had visited Hyperboreans living behind them some valuable votive offerings with Hellenic inscriptions".

Fact 6

Celts worshipped Dioskouri as Gods because there was a tradition among them which went back to the very ancient times. According to that tradition these gods, Dioskouri, had appeared on their land emerging from the ocean. Moreover, along the coast of their country there were names coming from the Argonauts and Dioskouri.

Fact 7

The Argonauts probably after they arrived at Colchis heard that there was plenty of gold to the north of the Euxinus Pontus, so they decided to sail to the north. The existence of gold in that area is borne out by Herodotus in his book "Melpomeni" 27, 104 where he says that "According to Issidones (Skythian nation) there are 'one-eyed people' and 'grypes' (winged monsters) guarding the gold...". And he adds, "Agathyrsi (another Skythian nation) live a life of luxury and wear a lot of golden jewellery....". That gold-bearing area must have been near the Uralia Range as it is well known that even today there is gold and other precious metals there.

Fact 8

The Argo came near the Uralia and sailing through the Volgas and other rivers came out to the North Atlantic (Argonautica 1085 by Orpheus). It may sound unbelievable but it is not, since it could be supported by what is mentioned in lines 1125-1129 about the nation of Kimmereans who "were deprived of the sun". These people must have been the Lapps of Scandinavia who live to the North of the Polar Circle and therefore, they do not see the sun for months.

Fact 9

The ancient Hellenic names of the towns along the coast of S. America as well as in the inland, the ancient Hellenic inscriptions found in there, the ancient Hellenic words in the language of Incas, Mayas as well as in the language of the people of Hawaii, the Aegean origin of the architecture style of several buildings of Mayas, Aztecs and Incas, and the ancient Hellenic finds in Bahamas, Incas' area etc. constitute a further evidence that ancient Hellenes capable of navigating tremendous distances crossed the Atlantic and came to S.America in the remotest past.

Fact 10

The fact that some writers sent off the Argo to the East of the Mediterranean while others to the West of the Mediterranean leads us to the conclusion that two voyages might have taken place: one to the East and the other to the West. However, the fragments of the "Argonautica" by Orpheas, which had been preserved might have baffled the ancient copyists and writers who combined all these to describe one voyage.

Fact 11

No matter when exactly the Argonautic Expedition took place or where exactly the Argonauts went, the fact is that this expedition definitely took place in the ancient times and Jason was the first Navigator. This can be proved by the geographical and astronomical evidence throughout the myth.
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Last Updated: 21 March 1996