Roman fresco depicting Jason
Roman fresco depicting Jason entering the city of Iolkos in Greece, where he will start his quest for the golden fleece with the Argonauts. The object is located in Casa degli Amorini Dorati in Pompeii.
The scene shows Pelias overthrowing king Aeson, his half-brother, and also Jason’s father. There is an interesting message connected with Jason – when on his way to Jolkos he found himself on the river, an old woman asked him for help in carrying him to the other bank. Jason carried the woman to the other side of the water without hesitation, and the woman turned out to be Hera, who thus proved his helpfulness. From then on, Jason could count on her protection.
Pelias, in turn, is shown in the myth as a negative character. Upon learning of the birth of his son Ajzon, he ordered the boy to be killed, but Aeson’s wife, having learned about the plans of her husband’s brother, gave the child up to the centaur Chiron for upbringing. When Pelias was in power, he was prophesied at Delphi to be wary of a man who would only appear in one sandal. When Jason arrived at Iolkos without one shoe, because he had lost the other one while crossing the water, Pelias asked him what he would do asking if one of his guests planned to kill him. Jason said he would send him for the golden fleece.
