Medea ́s heroism in Apollonius Rhodius ́ Argonautica
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14195/1984-249X_22_9Keywords:
Apollonius Rhodius, Medea, Argonautica, Helenistic EpicAbstract
This paper intends to discuss the different elements that are combined in order to represent Medea in Apollonius Rhodius’ Argonautica as a naïve virgin and a murderer witch. The harmonization of these elements makes the reader recognize Medea as one of the main allies of the argonauts from the beginning of book 3 onwards. In a discussion of the concept of heroism and of the choice of leadership for the vessel Argo according to the idea of ἄριστος, Jason's diplomatic behaviour, adequate to this kind of epic poem, will enable him to distinguish the specificities of each hero in order to have suc-cess in his mission. Therefore Medea will integrate the expedition thanks to her double characterization: because she was seduced by Jason and, at the same time, because she was the only one capable of making the accomplishment of ἄεθλα pos-sible by her φάρμακα.
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