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The Rest Is HistoryOctober 1, 2025

605. Greek Myths: Jason & The Quest for the Golden Fleece (Part 4)

About This Episode
What terrifying trials did Jason and the Argonauts have to overcome to win the famous Golden Fleece from a fire-breathing dragon, in one of the greatest greek myths of all time? When and where does this thrilling story come from? How does it tie together the tales of Odysseus, Orpheus, Achilles and Circe? Is there any historical evidence for the story of Jason and the Argonauts? What are the origins of Medea, the beautiful but vindictive sorceress who Jason marries? Did the Greeks still worship the Olympian gods in the more skeptical Hellenistic age? How did the coming of Alexander the Great transform the Greeks’ understanding of the divine? And, were the Olympian gods really once mortal kings and queens of an earlier age, or were they planets..? Join Tom and Dominic as they conclude their epic journey into the glorious heart of Greek mythology, as they explore their evolution in an increasingly skeptical Hellenistic world, and answer the question; why did the Greek myths endure and captivate audiences throughout history, in a way that no other culture’s mythology did? Start generating your own greener electricity for less, with £500 off Solar. Visit https://www.hivehome.com/history for more information. T&Cs apply. *Output and savings varies by season, electricity usage and system size. Paid-for surplus requires an eligible SEG tariff. Offer for new customers only. Ends 17th November. Learn more at https://www.uber.com/onourway Join The Rest Is History Club: Unlock the full experience of the show – with exclusive bonus episodes, ad-free listening, early access to every series and live show tickets, a members-only newsletter, discounted books from the show, and access to our private Discord chatroom. Sign up directly at therestishistory.com For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com _______ Twitter: @TheRestHistory @holland_tom @dcsandbrook Producer: Theo Young-Smith Assistant Producer: Tabby Syrett + Aaliyah Akude Video Producer: Oli Oakley
Book Mentions
8 book mentions in this episode.
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Books Mentioned

from Alexander to Actium cover

Peter Green's tremendous book on the Hellenistic period is mentioned as one of the favorite history books, noted for its length and entertaining writing.

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Jason the Argonauts cover

The speaker mentions reading the Lady Bird book of Jason the Argonauts when they were about five, indicating it as a source of familiarity with the myth.

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The Sacred Register cover

In it, Euhemerus claims that he'd been sent on a diplomatic mission to an island in the Indian Ocean and found an inscription written in hieroglyphics.

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Argonautica cover
Argonautica
Apollonius

Apollonius, when he writes the Argonautica, is recognized as a great scholar and chief librarian of Alexandria, contributing to the literary tradition.

ASIN: 0199538727
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The Aeneid cover

The Aeneid is mentioned as a work of mythology that adapts Homer to explain the origins of Rome.

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Metamorphoses cover

Ovid's Metamorphoses is described as a great collection of stories of transformations that serves as a storehouse of Greek myth.

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The Odyssey cover

The Odyssey is mentioned as a favorite myth and a significant literary work that serves as a gateway to Greek mythology.

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Theseus and the Minotaur cover

Theseus and the Minotaur is referenced as a favorite myth and the first one read by the speaker.

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