A Pontic connection
A Pontic connection

From Medea and the Argonauts to a Bosporan embassy in Egypt

Author(s): Adam Łukaszewicz
Subject(s): Archaeology
Published by: Wydawnictwa Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego
Keywords: Golden fleece; Jason; Argonauts; Black Sea; Medea; Colchis; Egypt
Summary/Abstract: The myth of the Argonauts is a story which involves a supposed early contact of Greece with the Colchis. Even if the value of the myth as a written source concerning the early Greek penetration of the Black Sea coasts is questionable, it shows a vivid interest of the Greeks in exploring the area. In this paper the story of the Argonauts is retold in a concise way. The impact of the story and some ancient literary echoes are discussed. The ancient interpretation of the name of the ship Argo as an indication of a connection of the crew with the city of Argos is mentioned. The author discusses briefly a possible reflection of that idea in a papyrus which concerns a visit to the Fayum of a Bosporan embassy together with a delegation from Argos.

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