Golden Fleece Research Paper

James A. Strange
November 11, 2015
9:10 MWF
The Real Story:
Is there any historical truth behind the myth of Jason and the Golden Fleece?

The Greek myth of the hero, Jason and his journey to find the Golden Fleece is one of the oldest tales of a hero’s quest for honor and vengeance. It is a classic tale of betrayal and redemption and like all Greek tragedy’s, it has a most tragic ending. Unlike many Greek myths, the story of Jason and the Golden Fleece may have been very well based on historical events. Could it be possible that Jason’s epic journey to the land of Colchis to retrieve the legendary Golden Fleece be based on true events? If so, it’s imperative that we understand this ancient and epic myth from the Greek culture as it gives

according to someone. The ancient Greek myth of Jason and the Argonauts’ epic journey may very well have sent them to the far reaches of their known world, in search for this Golden Fleece. The final destination on their journey was to the land of Colchis, which is now known today as Georgia. Geographically, ancient Colchi or (modern day) Georgia, is comprised of the land bounded by the Black Sea, to the west, The Caucaus Mountains to the north, the Surami mountain range to the east and the Meskhetian to the south. In this geographically sheltered and fertile land, Colchian civilization flourished. Their advancements in technology and farming of crops and natural resources gave them unique and wonderful tools that lead to more sophisticated skills and techniques in extracting and implementing resources. In their Late Bronze Age (15th to 8th century BC) they saw the development of an expertise in the smelting and casting of metals that began long before this skill was mastered in Europe. Sophisticated farming implements were made and fertile, well-watered lowlands blessed with a mild climate promoted the growth of progressive agricultural techniques. During this period of sophisticated implementation, is most likely when the Golden Fleece would have

The relation of Colchis to modern day Georgia, the uneasy climate that resulted in the journey of Jason and the Argonauts, and the archaeological evidence that suggests the Golden Fleece and the wealth of Colchis actually existed, all compel us to believe that the myth of Jason and The Argonauts, in their search for the Golden Fleece was based on true events that took place in modern day Georgia and Greece. Which reveals that the Golden Fleece may have actually been a real artifact that was the prize of Jason’s conquests and Greek interests.

Works Cited:
Bettelheim, Bruno. The Uses of Enchantment: The Meaning and Importance of Fairy Tales. New York: Vintage Books, 1976.
Cavendish, Richard, ed. Mythology: An Illustrated Encyclopedia. London: Orbis Publishing Limited, 1980.
"COLCHIS, THE LAND OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE, REPUBLIC OF GEORGIA." COLCHIS, THE LAND OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE, REPUBLIC OF GEORGIA. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Dec. 2015.
Colavito, Jason. Jason and the Argonauts through the Ages. Jefferson, North Carolina:
"Did Ancient Gold Mining Methods Create REAL Golden Fleece and Inspire Legend of Jason and the Argonauts?" Ancient Origins. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Dec. 2015.
Highwater, Jamake. Jason and The Argonauts, PBS. PBS, n.d. Web. 14 Oct. 2015.
McFarland &, 2014. Print.
Jason and the Argonauts. Films Media Group, 2006. Streaming Video File. Web.
Rolle, Renate, and Gayna Walls. “World Of The Scythians.” 1989. Web. 1 Dec.