Jason and the Golden Fleece

On land, they encounter the king of the Bebrykians, Amykos, who rudely claims that one of the Argonauts must fight him. Polydeukes volunteers and kills Amykos, causing a war to break out between the Bebrykians and the Argonauts. The Argonauts defeat the Bebrykians, sending them scattering. They remain overnight to tend their wounds, lamenting that Herakles is not with them and worrying that his absence will mean “grim destruction” for them (39).

The following morning, they sail through the Bosporos, making landfall on the opposite coastline. There, they meet Phineus, an aged seer who ran afoul of Zeus by revealing his prophecies too honestly. To punish Phineus, Zeus took away his eyesight, inflicted him with extreme old age, and sent the Harpies to steal his food, leaving just enough behind, covered in “a foul stench,” for him to survive (40). A prophecy informed Phineus that the Argonauts would release him from his suffering. They pity him, the Boreads especially. After making him swear an oath that they will not be harmed for helping him, they chase the Harpies away. Iris forbids them to kill the Harpies but promises they will not bother Phineus any longer.

After the Argonauts help Phineus and prepare food for him, he tells them how to reach Colchis and the fleece, but he cautions them that he cannot reveal everything.