Band of heroes who accompanied Jason to Colchis in search of the Golden Fleece.
Overview
In Greek mythology, the Argonauts are a band of heroes who sail with Jason to Colchis to seek the Golden Fleece. They are shown as a heroic expeditionary war-band from the time before the Trojan War, and they hold an important place in the heroic traditions of Thessaly and the wider Greek world.
The Argonauts appear in a Panhellenic saga that focuses on Jason and the voyage of the ship Argo. They also show up in local traditions from Iolcus in Thessaly and from many other cities, each of which claims certain Argonauts as their own heroes.
The most complete surviving story of their adventures is in the Hellenistic epic Argonautica by Apollonius of Rhodes. Earlier and complementary accounts appear in Pindar’s Pythian Odes (especially Pythian 4), in Apollodorus’ Bibliotheca, and in scattered references and fragments from early epic and tragic poetry, including works by Euripides and Sophocles.
Origins and Lineage
In most traditions, Jason is the founder and leader of the Argonauts. King Pelias of Iolcus orders him to bring back the Golden Fleece from Colchis, and Jason responds by gathering many of the greatest heroes of Greece to crew the ship Argo and make the dangerous journey.
Many Argonauts are sons or grandsons of Olympian gods. Examples include Heracles, son of Zeus; the Dioscuri, Castor and Polydeuces, also sons of Zeus; Orpheus, who is sometimes called the son of Apollo or of Oeagrus; and Theseus, who in some versions is the son of Poseidon. Other members come from famous heroic families such as the Lapiths, the Aeolids, and the Minyans.
Because of this, their ancestry links them to deities and legendary figures like Zeus, Poseidon, Apollo, Hermes, Ares, Aeolus, and Minyas. Genealogically, the Argonauts are closely tied to the Minyans and Aeolids of Iolcus through Jason and other Thessalian heroes, to Spartan royal and heroic traditions through the Dioscuri, and to the myths of the Lapiths and Centaurs through figures such as Caeneus and Pirithous in some lists.
Allusions to the voyage and to some of its members already appear in early, pre‑Classical epic. More organized lists of Argonauts and their family lines are developed later, especially in Pindar and later mythographers.
Some origin stories highlight different elements of the tale. These include Hera’s special interest in Jason and her role in inspiring or protecting the expedition. Many Greek cities also develop their own local traditions, claiming that their own heroes were original Argonauts. This leads to different rosters and different genealogical links from place to place.
Members and Subgroups
The Argonauts include many of the most famous heroes in Greek myth. Jason is the leader and organizer of the voyage.
Among the best-known members are Heracles, the strongest of the heroes, who takes part in the early part of the journey; Orpheus, the singer and musician whose songs help the crew; and the Dioscuri, Castor, known as a horseman, and Polydeuces (Pollux), known as a boxer. In some later lists, Theseus also appears as a member.
The roster often includes Peleus, father of Achilles, and Telamon, father of Ajax. In some versions, the huntress‑hero Atalanta also joins the expedition. Other notable figures are Lynceus, praised for his sharp eyesight; the winged Boreads, Zetes and Calais; Argus, who builds the ship Argo; Meleager, the hero of the Calydonian boar hunt in some lists; the brothers Idas and Lynceus, sons of Aphareus; and the helmsmen Tiphys, the first navigator of the Argo, and Ancaeus, who takes over after Tiphys dies.
Within the group, several clear subgroups or clans can be seen. The Dioscuri represent Spartan heroic lineage. The Boreads are the winged sons of Boreas. Minyan and Aeolid heroes are linked with Iolcus and Thessaly. There are also representatives from many Greek regions, including Arcadia, Boeotia, and Athens, each bringing their own local family lines into the expedition.
Many members belong to ruling or princely families. Jason himself comes from the royal line of Iolcus, connected to the Aeolid and Minyan dynasties. Peleus and Telamon belong to the Aeacid line, which later includes Achilles and Ajax. The Argonauts are tied to several major houses and dynasties, such as the House of Aeolus (the Aeolids), the Minyans of Iolcus, the Spartan royal house through the Dioscuri, the Aeacids through Peleus and Telamon, and various other local royal lines whose princes join the voyage.
The heroes also have different roles within the band. Jason leads the group. Tiphys and later Ancaeus act as helmsmen and navigators. Heracles, Telamon, and Idas serve as strongman warriors. Seers such as Mopsus and Idmon appear in some versions. Orpheus provides music and enchanting powers. Zetes and Calais act as winged rescuers. Atalanta, when she is included, is shown as a huntress and archer.
Membership in the group is usually marked by outstanding heroic excellence (aretē) and wide fame, along with a willingness to join Jason’s risky quest to Colchis. Many accounts stress that almost every major Greek region sends at least one notable hero, giving the Argonauts a clearly Panhellenic character.
Role in Myth and Tradition
In Greek myth, the Argonauts are a Panhellenic gathering of heroes whose shared voyage to Colchis to obtain the Golden Fleece is one of the major adventures before the Trojan War. They show a model of cooperative heroism, bringing together different skills, regions, and family lines in a single expedition. Their story also provides background and links for many later heroes and dynasties.
In the narrative, they mainly appear as Jason’s crew and companions on the Argo. Together they face monsters, hostile peoples, and challenges set by the gods. Through their journey, gods such as Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite show their rivalries and favor. The Argonauts are often seen as forerunners or early examples of later heroic coalitions, especially the Achaean army that fights at Troy.
Because they travel widely, the Argonauts are also remembered as bringing Greek presence and elements of civilization to distant lands along their route. The main myth about them is the voyage of the Argo to Colchis to win the Golden Fleece. Key episodes include the meeting with the Harpies and the blind seer Phineus, the passage through the Symplegades or Clashing Rocks, and the completion of the tasks set by King Aeëtes.
Other important scenes include the rescue or help given to Phineus by the winged heroes Zetes and Calais, and the complicated return journey from Colchis. This return is marked by pursuits, detours, and further adventures across many regions and islands. Many local foundation and aetiological myths say that Argonauts visited or founded certain cities and cults during these travels.
The group is closely tied not only to Jason but also to Medea, who is not counted as an Argonaut but is central to the story. They are also linked with gods such as Hera, Athena, Aphrodite, Apollo, and Zeus, and with figures like Aeëtes and Phineus.
In cultural memory, the Argonauts become a model of an ideal heroic company, where each member brings a special kind of excellence. They stand for bold sea‑voyages and exploration beyond the familiar Greek world. Their story often shows the mix of divine help and divine opposition, especially in Hera’s protection of Jason and his companions.
In ritual and tradition, many Greek cities claim ties to the Argonauts to raise their own prestige. Some link their cults or festivals to supposed stops on the voyage. Hero cults for individual Argonauts—such as the Dioscuri, Orpheus, and Peleus—also help keep the fame of the whole band alive. Overall, the Argonauts are remembered as one of the greatest heroic companies in Greek myth, known for shared bravery, skill at sea, and the way many heroic family lines are woven together in a single saga.