Jason and Medea

This Little Black Classic is an excerpt from EV Rieu's translation of The Voyage of the Argo, also known as Jason and the Golden Fleece, Jason and the Argonauts and a few others.

This excerpt starts with Jason reaching Colchis on his journey for the Golden Fleece, and being set an impossible task by Aeëtes. His task – to yoke two flame breathing bulls and plow a field, then sow the field with serpents teeth which will sprout into an army of earth-born men who he must then defeat. Aided by Aeëtes daughter, Medea, Jason accomplishes the task – which is where this book ends.

There is meddling by the gods, there is gossip and flirting, there are favours given and taken.

The excerpt is quite well chosen - it has a beginning and and end, and it doesn't reference part or events that we haven't had knowledge of.

For me this was readable - the translation didn't seem overly clunky.

Solid 3 stars.