Phrixus in the ancient sources

Ancient Sources / Figures / Phrixus

15 passages from 6 ancient authors that tell of Phrixus, in the original with English translation, author by author in the order the Greeks read them. Phrixus was the son of King Athamas of Boeotia and Nephele, a minor goddess. He had a twin sister named Helle; both of them were hated by their stepmo... For the story in one place, read our article on Phrixus.

Hesiod (3)

Hesiod, Fragments 1.30–49Arcadia and the voyage of the ArgonautsThe first fragments name Pelasgus and Lycaon and the Arcadian sons of Lycaon. Most of the section concerns the Argo, with Phrixus and the ram, Phineus blinded for revealing the future, the Harpies, and the Argonauts' journey through Ocean and Libya.
Hesiod, Fragments 2.1–3.16Marriage of Ceyx and the Great EoiaeThe Marriage of Ceyx has Heracles landing from the Argo to look for water and a feast with Ceyx. The Great Eoiae gives genealogies and local legends, among them Epidaurus, Hyettus and Mycene, and Melampus and the serpents.
Hesiod, Fragments 5.1–6AegimiusThe Aegimius, attributed to Hesiod or to Cercops of Miletus, is cited for Thetis and her children and for Phrixus coming to the halls of Aeétes. It also gives the story of Io, whom Zeus changed into a cow and whom Hera set Argus to watch, until Hermes killed him.

Apollodorus (2)

Apollodorus, The Library (Bibliotheca), with the Epitome 1.9.1–15Athamas, Sisyphus, Salmoneus, Melampus and AdmetusThe sons of Aeolus: Athamas, whose children Phrixus and Helle flee on the golden ram and who later loses Ino and Learchus to madness, then Sisyphus, Deion, Perieres, Magnes and Salmoneus, who is struck down for impersonating Zeus. Salmoneus's daughter Tyro bears Pelias and Neleus to Poseidon, and the section follows Neleus and Nestor at Pylus, Pelias in Thessaly, and Cretheus's line with the seer Melampus winning Pero for his brother Bias. It ends with Pheres, Admetus and Alcestis.
Apollodorus, The Library (Bibliotheca), with the Epitome 1.9.16–22Jason and the Argonauts: the voyage to PhineusPelias is warned against the man with one sandal and sends Jason to fetch the Golden Fleece from Colchis. Argus builds the Argo, the crew is listed, and the ship calls at Lemnos, at the land of the Doliones where Cyzicus is killed by mistake, and at Mysia, where Hylas is lost and Heracles is left behind. Polydeuces kills Amycus of the Bebryces, and at Salmydessus Zetes and Calais drive the Harpies from the seer Phineus, who tells the crew how to pass the Clashing Rocks.

Pindar (1)

Pindar, Pythian Odes 4.143–299Pythian 4: for Arcesilas — the Argonauts and the golden fleeceJason offers Pelias the flocks and herds but asks for the sceptre and throne of his father Aeson, and Pelias answers softly, sending him to fetch the golden fleece and the spirit of Phrixus. Jason gathers the Argonauts, including Orpheus, Echion and Eurytus, who sail after his prayer to Zeus. At Colchis Aeëtes sets him a task, and with Medea's charms Jason wins the fleece, kills the serpent and carries Medea off, and the ode ends with a plea that Arcesilas recall the exile Damophilus.

Apollonius Rhodius (6)

Apollonius Rhodius, Argonautica 2.1030–1225The birds of Ares and the sons of PhrixusNear the island of Ares the heroes scare off the birds that shoot their feathers like arrows, by wearing helmets and clashing shields. On the island they find the four shipwrecked sons of Phrixus, who are Jason's kinsmen, and who tell them of Aeetes and the sleepless serpent. Argus agrees to guide the Argonauts to Colchis.
Apollonius Rhodius, Argonautica 3.167–298Medea falls in love with JasonIn council Jason proposes to try Aeetes with words first and goes to the palace with the sons of Phrixus, Telamon and Augeias. Hera hides them in mist; Chalciope greets her sons, and Eros shoots Medea with an arrow as Jason stands among them, so that she is struck with love for him.
Apollonius Rhodius, Argonautica 3.299–438The banquet and Aeetes' demandsAt the banquet Aeetes questions his grandsons, and Argus tells how his ship was wrecked and why the Argonauts have come. Aeetes grows angry and agrees to give up the Fleece only if Jason will yoke the fire-breathing bulls, plough the field of Ares and sow the dragon's teeth, and Jason accepts.
Apollonius Rhodius, Argonautica 3.576–743Aeetes' plot, Medea's dream and Chalciope's pleaAeetes plots to destroy the strangers, but Argus goes to his mother Chalciope, who wants to ask Medea for help. Medea dreams that she undertakes the contest herself and is taken away by the stranger; and when Chalciope begs her to help her sons, Medea agrees and promises to bring charms to the temple of Hecate at dawn.
Apollonius Rhodius, Argonautica 4.1–91Medea's flight to the ArgoAeetes plots all night against the Argonauts, and Hera fills Medea with fear for what she has done. Medea says farewell to her room, steals out of the palace, and the moon watches her go. At the river she calls to Phrontis, and begs Jason to take her away and not to dishonour her.
Apollonius Rhodius, Argonautica 1.234–305The Argonauts leave Iolcus; Alcimede's lamentThe heroes go through the city to the ship at Pagasae while the townspeople wonder at Pelias' purpose and the women pity Alcimede. Alcimede clings to Jason, wishing she had died before this day, and Jason comforts her and tells her to trust the oracles and Athena.

Diodorus Siculus (1)

Diodorus Siculus, Library of History, Books 4 to 6 (the Greek myths) 4.45.1–4.49.8The Argonauts II: Colchis, Medea and the golden fleeceThe historian explains the custom of the Colchi of killing strangers by the story of Aeëtes and his brother Perses, and gives the traditions about Medea and about Phrixus and the ram with the golden fleece. With Medea's help the Argonauts take the fleece; the king of the Colchi falls in the fighting, and the chiefs sail home by way of Byzantium and Troy.

Pausanias (2)

Pausanias, Description of Greece 9.34.1–10Itonian Athena, Coronea, Mount Laphystius and the early history of OrchomenusPausanias describes the sanctuary of Itonian Athena, where the Boeotians hold their general assembly, and the story of the priestess Iodama. At Coronea he lists the altars in the market-place and the sanctuary of Hera, as well as Mount Libethrius and the sanctuary of Laphystian Zeus where the golden ram saved Phrixus and Helle. He then begins the history of Orchomenus with Andreus, Athamas and the founders of Haliartus and Coronea, and Eteocles.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 1.24.1–8Athens Acropolis: Zeus Polieus, the Parthenon and Phidias’ AthenaPausanias lists sculptures on the Acropolis showing Athena and Marsyas, Theseus and the bull, Phrixus, Hercules and the serpents, and Athena’s birth, and describes the ox sacrifice to Zeus Polieus. He then describes the Parthenon: the gable sculptures, Phidias’ ivory and gold Athena with her sphinx and griffin helmet, the Victory, shield, serpent and the birth of Pandora on the pedestal. He ends with the bronze Locust Apollo.