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e of the Argonauts was brought about in this way. Pelias had expelled his brother Aeson from his kingdom in Thessaly, and had determined to take the life of Jason, the son of Aeson. Jason, however, escaped and grew up to manhood in another country. At last he returned to Thessaly; and Pelias, fearing that he might attempt to recover the kingdom, sent him to fetch the Golden Fleece from Colchis, supposing this to be an impossible feat. Jason with a band of heroes set sail in the ship Argo (called after Argus, its builder), and after many adventures reached Colchis. Here Aeétes, king of Colchis, who was unwilling to give up the Fleece, set Jason to perform what seemed an impossible task, namely to plough a field with certain fire-breathing oxen, and then to sow it with dragon's teeth. Medéa, however, the daughter of the king, assisted Jason by her skill in magic, first to perform the task appointed, and then to procure the Fleece. She then fled with Jason, and to delay the pursuit of her father, sacrificed her brother Absyrtus. After reaching Thessaly, Medéa caused the death of Pelias and was expelled from the country with her husband. They removed to Corinth, and here Medéa becoming jealous of Glauce, daughter of Creon, caused her death by means of a poisoned robe. She was afterward carried off in a chariot sent by the sun-god, and a little later Jason was accidentally killed_.
57. THE WICKED UNCLE Erant ólim in Thessaliá duo frátrés, quórum alter Aesón, Peliás alter appellábátur. Aesón prímó régnum obtinuerat; at post paucós annós Peliás régní cupiditáte adductus nón modo frátrem suum expulit, sed etiam in animó habébat Iásonem, Aesonis fílium, interficere. Quídam tamen ex amícís Aesonis, ubi sententiam Peliae cógnóvérunt, puerum é tantó per&i