Iason
（
Ἰάσων).
1.
Son of Aeson and Polymedé or Alcimedé. He was the celebrated leader
of the Argonauts. His father, Aeson, who reigned at Iolcus in Thessaly, was deprived of the
kingdom by his half-brother Pelias, who attempted to take the life of the infant Iason. He
was saved by his friends, and intrusted to the care of the centaur Chiron. When he had grown
up he came to Iolcus, and demanded the kingdom, which Pelias promised to surrender to him,
provided he brought the golden fleece, which was in the possession of King Aeëtes in
Colchis, and was guarded by an ever-watchful dragon. Iason willingly undertook the
enterprise, and set sail in the ship Argo, accompanied by the chief heroes of Greece. He
obtained the fleece with the assistance of Medea, whom he made his wife, and along with whom
he returned to Iolcus. The history of his exploits on this enterprise is related elsewhere.
(See
Argonautae.) In order to avenge the death
of his father, who had been slain by Pelias during his absence, Medea, at the instigation of
Iason, persuaded the daughters of Pelias to cut their father to pieces and boil him, in order
to restore him to youth and vigour, as she had before changed a ram into a lamb, by boiling
the ram in a caldron. Pelias thus perished miserably; and his son Acastus expelled Iason and
Medea from Iolcus. They then went to Corinth, where they lived happily for several years,
until Iason deserted Medea, in order to marry Glaucé (or Creüsa),
daughter of Creon , the king of the country. Medea fearfully revenged this insult. She sent
Glaucé a poisoned garment, which burned her to death when she put it on. Creon
likewise perished in the flames. Medea also killed her children by Iason, and then fled to
Athens in a chariot drawn by winged dragons. (See
Medea.) The death of Iason is related variously. According to some, he made away with
himself from grief; according to others, he was crushed by the poop of the ship Argo, which
fell upon him as he was lying under it.
2.
Tyrant of Pherae, elected Tagus or military chief of Thessaly, B.C. 374. He possessed great
power, and aspired to the sovereignty of Greece, but was assassinated in 370. He was a man of
much ability and culture, and was the friend of Isocrates and admirer of Gorgias.
