Golden Fleece

Rare card · No. 52185

In Greek mythology, the Golden Fleece (Ancient Greek: Χρυσόμαλλον δέρας, romanized: Khrysómallon déras, lit. 'Golden-haired pelt') is the fleece of the golden-woolled, winged ram, Chrysomallos, which rescued Phrixus and brought him to Colchis, where Phrixus then sacrificed it to Zeus. Phrixus gave the fleece to King Aeëtes, who kept it in a sacred grove, whence Jason and the Argonauts stole it with the help of Medea, Aeëtes's daughter. The fleece is a symbol of authority and kingship. In the historical account, the hero Jason and his crew of Argonauts set out on a quest for the fleece by order of King Pelias in order to place Jason rightfully on the throne of Iolcus in Thessaly. Through the help of Medea, they acquire the Golden Fleece. The story is of great antiquity and was current in the time of Homer (eighth century BC). It survives in various forms, among which the details vary. Nowadays the heraldic variations of the Golden Fleece are featured frequently in the country of Georgia...

Read on Wikipedia · Image Underworld Painter, Public domain