# Phineus — The Argonautica character guide

> Phineus in The Argonautica by Apollonius of Rhodes.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Phineus Agênor, Agênor, Phineus withal

**First appearance:** 0001-book-ii

## Snapshot

A blind seer whose prophetic sight outlives his ruined eyes, he trades the Argonauts counsel on the voyage in exchange for rescue from a torment only they can end.

## Who they are

Phineus belongs to the older generation of prophets whose visions have outlasted their bodies, and the Argonauts seek him out precisely because his knowledge of the route to Colchis is unmatched. His affliction is inseparable from his gift: the gods have punished his too-accurate sight with blindness and a daily siege by winged tormentors that strips the food from his table. When the heroes free him, his gratitude becomes their first real map — a reminder that the quest advances as much through debts owed and repaid as through oars and sails.

## Relationships

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

_friendship_

Aeson and Phineus share a bond of mutual suffering and prophetic counsel.

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

_psychological_

Phineus is tormented by Zeus for revealing too much, making him a victim of divine punishment.

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

_psychological_

Phineus is tormented by Zeus for revealing too much, making him a victim of divine punishment.

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

_friendship_

Aeson and Phineus share a bond of mutual suffering and prophetic counsel.

## In the story

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

The blind prophet Phineus advises the Argonauts on navigating the Clashing Rocks and foretells their future trials.

## Links

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