not err in
supposing, that the account of it was originally written in the
Phoenician language; and through not understanding it, the Greeks
invented the fiction of the Fleece, the Dragon, and the Fiery Bulls.
Bochart and Le Clerc have observed, that the Syriac word 'gaza,'
signifies either 'a treasure,' or 'a fleece.' 'Saur,' which means 'a
wall,' also means 'a bull;' and in the same language the same word,
'nachas,' signifies both 'brass,' 'iron,' and 'a dragon.' Hence,
instead of the simple narrative, that Jason, by the aid of Medea,
carried away the treasures which AEetes kept within walls, with bolts,
or locks of metal, and which Phryxus had carried to Colchis in a ship
with the figure of a ram at the prow, it was published, and circulated
by the ignorant, that the Gods, to save Phryxus from his stepmother,
sent him a sheep with a golden fleece, which bore him to Colchis; that
its fleece became the object of the ambition of the leading men of
Greece; and that whoever wished to bear it away was obliged to contend
with bulls and dragons. Some historians, by way of interpreting the
story, affirm, that the keeper of the treasures was named 'Draco,' or
'Dragon,' and that the garrison of the stronghold of AEetes was brought
from the 'Tauric' Chersonesus. They say also, that the fleece was the
skin of the sheep which Phryxus had sacrificed to Neptune, which he
had caused to be gilt. It is not, however, very likely, that an object
so trifling could have excited the avarice of the Greeks, and caused
them to undertake an expedition accompanied with so many dangers. The
dragon's teeth most probably bear reference to some foreign troops
which Jason, in the same way as Cadmus had done, found means to
alienate from AEetes, and to bring over to his own side. Homer makes
but very slight allusion to the adventures of the Argonauts.

FABLE II. [VII.159-349]

Jason, after his return home, requests Medea to restore his father
AEson to youth, which she performs; then, going to the court of Pelias,
she avenges the injuries which he had done to the family of Jason, by
making him the victim of the credulity of his own daughters, who, in
compliance with her pretended regard for them, stab him to death.
Medea, having executed her design, makes her escape in her chariot.

The Haemonian mothers and aged fathers bring presents, for receiving
their sons {safe home}; and fran