In Greek mythology, Medea is an important female character, and one whose story is intertwined with that of the Greek hero Jason.

Most people today will probably only know of Medea as a character from the 1963 Columbia Pictures film, Jason and the Argonauts. In the film, Medea, played by the beautiful Nancy Kovack, supports Jason in the successful completion of his task. The film though is a family friendly adaptation of a classic Greek mythological story.

The story of Medea can be derived from two Ancient Greek tales, Argonautica by Apollonius Rhodius in the 3rd century BC, and Medea by Euripides from 431BC. Stories of Medea existed before these dates though, and Euripides’ version of the story was different to those that existed at the time.

Medea was the daughter of King Aeetes of Colchis and the Oceanid Idyia; through her father she was also the granddaughter of the god Helios. Medea was not just a princess though, and as a priestess of Hecate was known as a witch or sorceress.

To the Ancient Greeks, Colchis was considered a barbarian area of the world, despite the fact that Aeetes was a prince of Corinth. In the stories, the court of Aeetes was regarded as being truly barbaric, and any strangers would be welcomed with death. It was to this land that Jason was to travel, in order that he could take possession of the Golden Fleece, and it was with the arrival of the Greek hero that Medea came to prominence.

Jason was being aided in his quest by the Greek goddesses, Hera and Athena. The two goddesses conspired with Aphrodite to have Medea fall in love with Jason, so that sorceress would assist him in getting past the dangers that were between him and the Golden Fleece. So it was, that through the interference of the goddesses, that Medea went against her father, assisting Jason with the fire breathing bulls and the soldiers born from the sown dragon’s teeth. Medea would also use her skills to subdue the dragon that guarded the Golden Fleece. Thus Jason was ultimately successful in gaining the Golden Fleece, and so promised to love Medea for eternity, and marry her when became in Greece.

The 1963 Colombia Picture film would have the viewer believe that this was the end of the story of Jason and Medea, both living happily together. According to the original sources though, this was really just the beginning of Medea’s story.

With the theft of the Golden Fleece the whole of the Colchian fleet set sail after the Argo, and being unable to out run them, Medea tricked the fleet’s commander, her brother Apsyrtus, onboard. Once on board Apsyrtus was killed, either at the hand of Medea, or at the hand of Jason at the behest of Medea. The body of Apsyrtus was then cut up, and the body parts thrown overboard. The body parts were then collected by King Aeetes, who had caught up with his fleet, to enable a proper burial; the delay in collecting all the pieces allowed the Argo to escape.

In some stories Medea is also vital in Talos, the invulnerable defender of Crete, allowing the Argonauts to once again continue on their journey home. On the journey, Medea might also have been married to Jason.

Eventually Jason, Medea and the Argo make their way back to Iolcus, and the court of King Pelias. Ultimately this was what the gods of Mount Olympus wanted; as they wished punishment to be brought down on Pelias for his actions in gaining the throne, for Medea was to be known as the Curse of Pelias.

Firstly, Medea was said to have restored to youth, Aeson, Jason’s father, and tricked the daughters of Pelias that the same restoration could be done to their father. Having shown the daughters that by cutting up an old sheep a young lamb could emerge from the cauldron, Medea tricked the daughters of Pelias into doing the same for their father. Of course, a rejuvenated Pelias did not emerge subsequently.

Jason and Medea were though not to rule Iolcus, with the throne passing to Pelias’ son, Acatus; the new king exiled Jason and Medea, never to return. The pair travel to Corinth and their settle down, and it seems Jason is going to keep his vow of treasuring Medea forever, as for ten years the pair are happy together. The relationship is said to have bore two, or six, children. If there are two children they are said to be the boys, Mermeros and Pheres; and if there are six children named then they are the additional three sons, Thessalus, Alcimenes and Tisandrus, and a daughter Eriopis.

There was to be no happy ending for Medea and Jason though.

Eventually Jason is said to have tired of being wed to Medea, and an engagement was arranged between King Creon of Corinth’s daughter Glauce. A woman scorned, Medea sought her revenge. She sent Glauce a poisoned robe, which when worn started to kill her; the robe would also kill King Creon, who seeing it kill his daughter, tried to remove it, only to be killed himself.

To induce further pain on Jason, Medea also kills their two sons, Mermeros and Pheres (if there are additional children it is not entirely clear what happens to them). Sources prior to Euripides had the killing of Jason’s children undertaken by the Corinthians in revenge for the killing of their king. Either way Medea was said to have fled from Corinth at a chariot pulled by two dragons.

Now in exile from both Iolcus and Corinth, Medea flees from the possible vengeance of Jason, and ends up in the court of King Aegeus of Athens. Aegeus wishes for other sons to continue the family line, and Medea convinces the king that she can provide heirs. The two are wed and the marriage produces a son, Medus. Again though there is to be no happy end for Medea, as to the court of Aegeus comes Theseus, the son of the king but one he doesn’t recognise. Medea, fearing for the succession of her son, tries to do away with Theseus, first by getting him to capture the Marathonian Bull, and then by poisoning him. Theseus is eventually recognised by his father though, and again Medea is forced to flee; this time with Medus in tow.

Finally Medea returns to Colchis, and finds that the loss of the Golden Fleece had resulted in Perses forcing his brother Aeetes to step down from the throne. To restore her father, Medea arranges for the death of Perses, and Aeetes is made king once again. In time Aeetes would die himself, and he was then succeeded by Medea’s son, Medus. There is nothing written of Medea’s life in Colchis after her return, but nor is there a tale telling of her having to flee, so the return to Colchis might well be seen as a return to the place she should have been all along.