# Aiêtes — The Argonautica character guide

> Aiêtes in The Argonautica by Apollonius of Rhodes.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Glorious Aiêtes

**First appearance:** 0002-book-iii

## Snapshot

The proud king of Colchis who guards the Fleece and sets Jason an impossible trial, never imagining his own daughter will undo him.

## Who they are

Aiêtes rules the Kolchian host with a haughty scorner's temper, and the Golden Fleece hangs in his sacred grove under a serpent's sleepless eyes. He assumes no mortal can pass his test without help, and he is right, which is exactly what enrages him when the trial is won. His fury in the night, devising treachery against the heroes, sets the escape in motion.

## Relationships

### [Medea](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_argonautica_se/characters/medea)

_family_

Aiêtes is Medea's father, a stern and possessive king who sees her as a tool for his power.

### [Zeus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_argonautica_se/characters/zeus)

_psychological_

Aiêtes is a devotee of Zeus, but Zeus uses him as an obstacle for Jason's quest.

### [Aeson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_argonautica_se/characters/aeson)

_rivalry_

Aeson and Aiêtes are adversaries, with Aiêtes opposing Aeson's son Jason's quest.

### [Aeson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_argonautica_se/characters/aeson)

_rivalry_

Aeson and Aiêtes are adversaries, with Aiêtes opposing Aeson's son Jason's quest.

### [Medea](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_argonautica_se/characters/medea)

_family_

Aiêtes is Medea's father, a stern and possessive king who sees her as a tool for his power.

### [Zeus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_argonautica_se/characters/zeus)

_psychological_

Aiêtes is a devotee of Zeus, but Zeus uses him as an obstacle for Jason's quest.

### [Aeson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_argonautica_se/characters/aeson)

_rivalry_

Aeson and Aiêtes are adversaries, with Aiêtes opposing Aeson's son Jason's quest.

### [Medea](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_argonautica_se/characters/medea)

_family_

Aiêtes is Medea's father, a stern and possessive king who sees her as a tool for his power.

### [Zeus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_argonautica_se/characters/zeus)

_psychological_

Aiêtes is a devotee of Zeus, but Zeus uses him as an obstacle for Jason's quest.

## In the story

### [Book IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_argonautica_se/chapters/book-iv)

Sits in council with Kolchian princes, enraged and plotting treachery against the heroes.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_argonautica_se/characters/aietes
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_argonautica_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_argonautica_se/characters