# Medea — The Argonautica character guide

> Medea in The Argonautica by Apollonius of Rhodes.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Aiaian Medea

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

## Snapshot

A Colchian princess and sorceress who trades her father's house for a stranger's promise, torn between love, terror, and the spells in her casket.

## Who they are

Medea is the king's daughter and a priestess of Hecate's craft, watched by maids who know her secrets and a father who does not yet suspect her. When Hera floods her with love for Jason, she dreads exposure more than death, clutching at her throat and tearing her hair before she flees by night. Her choice to help him is the hinge on which the whole quest turns.

## Relationships

### [Aiêtes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_argonautica_se/characters/aietes)

_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_

Medea is manipulated by Zeus to aid Jason, acting as a divine instrument of fate.

### [Dionysus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_argonautica_se/characters/dionysus)

_friendship_

Dionysus shows favor to Medea, recognizing her as a kindred spirit of passion and magic.

### [Aiêtes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_argonautica_se/characters/aietes)

_family_

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

### [Aiêtes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_argonautica_se/characters/aietes)

_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_

Medea is manipulated by Zeus to aid Jason, acting as a divine instrument of fate.

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

_psychological_

Medea is manipulated by Zeus to aid Jason, acting as a divine instrument of fate.

## In the story

### [Book III: The Love of Medea](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_argonautica_se/chapters/book-iii)

Sorceress daughter of Aeëtes, becomes love-struck by Jason and agrees to help him against her father.

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

Flees Colchis in terror and anguish, leaving behind a lock of hair for her mother.

## Links

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