Jason

Hera, Aphrodite and Athena all took an interest in the hero Jason as he ventured onto the quest that would define him for ages: the hunt for the Golden Fleece.

The Prince Who Would Be King

At the time of Jason's birth, his uncle slew his father and all his brothers. His mother was able to protect the infant by having her women gather around the infant, wailing and crying as though he were stillborn. Alcimede then sent her infant son to the centaur Chiron to be fostered and trained. Chiron was a great teacher of heroes and he oversaw Jason's education. In the meanwhile, his uncle grew greedy and fearful about his throne when an oracle warned him to beware the man with just one sandal.

Many years later, Jason returned to Loclaus, the city of his birth. During his journey there, he helped an old woman cross a river, losing a sandal in the process. The old woman was actually Hera in disguise and she blessed the young man for his generous, compassionate heart. When his Uncle Pelias spied Jason at the games, wearing only one sandal, he feared the oracle's promised warning. Jason was well aware of his own identity and before he could challenge Pelias for the throne, his uncle told him he would give him the throne if only Jason would bring him the Golden Fleece.

The Impossible Task

Pelias knew the challenge to be impossible, for Jason would have to take the fleece from the great ram of Poseidon, a most coveted item and desired by rulers across the Aegean. Jason accepted the task and with the blessings of Hera and her encouragement of Athena and Aphrodite, he gathered together a group of heroes that included Heracles, Atalanta ,and Peleus (the future father of the Achilles).

Jason's Argonauts (so named for their vessel the Argo) met the challenges of many monsters and creatures along their hunt for the fleece. When Jason was stymied in the court of King Aeetes of Colchis, Aphrodite sent Eros to fill the King's sorceress daughter Medea with love for Jason.

No Happily Ever After

Medea became one of Jason's greatest allies, her magic not only helping him claim the fleece, but also facilitating his journey home. After restoring his father's throne, Jason spurned Medea to seek a politically advantageous marriage with a neighboring kingdom. His longtime patron, Hera turned her back on him for his treatment of Medea and Jason's fortunes crumbled until the day he died, old and alone.