CHALCIOPE (mythological figure, daughter of Aetes)

Aeetes gave Chalciope in marriage to Phrixus with great joy, though no bridal gifts were exchanged in the process.^1,4 From this union, she bore four sons: Argus, Melas, Phrontis, and Cytisorus.^5,6,1,4 The sons of Chalciope were fulfilling a curse from Helios regarding their treachery, a fate that Aeetes believed was being enacted through them.⁵

Chalciope was present in the court of Aeetes when the king and queen arrived.⁷ She heard the loud cry made by Medea upon seeing the visitors and rushed to her sister's chamber in dismay.^2,3 Observing that Medea's eyes were dimmed with tears, Chalciope spoke to her, but received no answer due to her sister's distraction.^3,8

Chalciope privately wished to seek Medea's help but was stopped by fear of her father's deadly wrath.⁹ She worried that Medea's actions would become publicly known if she agreed to help, and fled to her chamber to avoid the anger of Aeetes.^9,10 She dreamed that her father Aetes would kill her sons along with the foreign visitors, and prayed that a god would prevent the fulfillment of this terrifying vision.¹¹

Chalciope advised Medea to give the stranger a harmful charm in exchange for his gifts.¹² Medea promised to prioritize the lives of Chalciope and her sons over her own, asking Chalciope to keep this promise secret from their parents.¹³ Her children were sent to Achaean land at their father's bidding.⁵ The island of Cos is described as the holy retreat of Chalciope, though one of her sons refused to be carried there by his mother.^14,15