IOLCUS (city in Magnesia)
Ancient city of Magnesia, Greece
- Kind of place
- City
- Region
- Magnesia
- People of myth here
- Acastus, Aeson, Alcestis, Jason, Pelias
- Where
- 39.36° N, 22.93° E
Pelias sent Jason and the ship Argo from this location. Strabo 9.5.15 The Argonauts departed from Iolcus to begin their voyage. Diodorus 4.42 Artemis is described as having the land of Iolcos in her keeping. Argonautica 1 ¶69
Described in the sources
Jason, the son of Aeson, was a native of Iolcus in Thessaly. Apollodorus 1.8.2 +3 Iolcos is located in Thessaly Magnesia and is near the Molossian district. Athenaeus 11.34 +2 Medea left her native land to come to Iolcus with Jason, where she began her scheme against Pelias. Euripides, Medea 1-48 +2 Pelias became the king of Iolcus and the surrounding areas, commanding an army and other important cities, following Cretheus. Apollodorus 1.9.16 +2 Jason arrived at Iolcus after completing his labors and bringing Medea back. Ovid Met. 7.1-158 (5) +1 Iolcus is located beneath the hills of Pelion and beside the foot of Mount Pelion. Euripides, Medea 446-491 +1 Acastus resided in Iolcus, where he buried Pelias with the assistance of the local people. Apollodorus 1.9.27 +1 Iolcus is located on the road between Demetrias and Ormenium, seven stadia from Demetrias and twenty stadia from Ormenium, and is currently a village belonging to the city of Demetrias. Strabo 9.5.15 +1 Pelias resided in the city of Iolcus. Odyssey 11 ¶19 The Neleidae were originally from this city. Pausanias 4.3.6
Gods and worship
The Pylaic assembly and festival were held in the area called Iolcus. Strabo 9.5.15
Stories and history
Cretheus established the city of Iolcus. Apollodorus 1.9.11 The city had been razed from ancient times. Strabo 9.5.15 Peleus sacked the well-built city of Iolcus. The Catalogues of Women and Eoiae fr. 58 Peleus, Jason, and the Dioscuri destroyed the city. Apollodorus 3.13.7 Acastus established funereal games at this location. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 7.57 ¶10 Peleus brought great possessions from Iolcus to Phthia. The Catalogues of Women and Eoiae fr. 58 A colony of Minyaeans migrated from Orchomenus to Iolcus. Strabo 9.2.40 Peleus handed the city over to the Haimones to serve them. Pindar, Nemean 4 ¶8 Acastus forced Jason and Medea to leave the city of Iolcus. Apollodorus 1.9.27 Medea boiled a ram's flesh with drugs to produce a live lamb. Pausanias 8.11.2
Myths set at Iolcus
- The Death of Pelias. Medea arrives in Iolcus to punish King Pelias for his contempt of Hera, using magic to deceive him and his daughters. She tricks them into dismembering and boiling their father, securing Jason's position while Pelias dies without restoration. Apollodorus 1.9.27 +5 Pelias
- The Funeral Games of Pelias. Acastus buried his father Pelias and organized athletic competitions to honor him. He established funeral games at Iolcos and joined hands with Neleus' son at the funeral feast. Apollodorus 1.9.27 +5 Acastus
- The Return to Iolcus. Jason returns to Iolcus with the Golden Fleece after completing his labours, only to discover his family has been killed by King Pelias. He enters the palace with his heroes to confront the king and avenge his kin. Argonautica 3 ¶1 +5 Jason
- The Games in Honor of Pelias. Pelias holds games in his honor at Iolcos, featuring wrestling and chariot races. Euphemus wins the chariot race while Heracles watches from a throne. Apollodorus 3.13.3 +4 Pelias
- The Murder of Pelias. Jason returns to Iolcus after surrendering the Golden Fleece and learns of his family's tragic fates. He conspires with Medea to punish King Pelias for these crimes. Apollodorus 1.9.27 +4 Jason
- The Seizure of the Throne of Iolcus. Pelias unlawfully seized the throne of Iolcus from Jason's ancestors, prompting Jason's parents to hide him with Cheiron to escape Pelias's violence. The story ends with Jason in safety while Pelias holds the kingship. Diodorus 4.68 +3 Pelias
- The Advice to Medea. Hera asks Cypris to help Jason win the Golden Fleece by having Medea fall in love with him. Hera promises Jason will return to Iolcus if Medea aids him, urging Cypris to act without anger. Argonautica 3 ¶11 +2 Hera
- The Destruction of Iolcus. hook: Jason is expelled from Iolcus by Acastus after giving him the ancestral kingdom. goal: Jason waits patiently to avenge his personal grievances. outcome: Jason helps Peleus and the Dioscuri destroy the city of Iolcus. Apollodorus 1.9.27 +2 Jason
- The Exile of Neleus. Neleus is driven from Iolcos by his brother Pelias after a fight for the kingship. He settles in Messene and establishes the city of Pylus. Apollodorus 1.9.9 +2 Neleus
- The Contest of Arms at Iolcos. Meleager, a noble from Iolcos, joins the crew of the Argo and enters a contest of arms. He wins the dart-throwing prize and demonstrates superior skill with the spear, outperforming his rivals. Apollodorus 1.9.16 +1 Meleager
- The Return to Iolcus. Jason returns to Iolcus with Medea after completing his tasks. He prepares to leave the hall with his companions. Argonautica 3 ¶40 +1 Aeson
- The Threat to Jason in Iolcus. Acastus arrives in Iolcus with a hostile attitude, seeking vengeance against Jason. He joins forces with Creon to threaten Jason with death, forcing Jason and Medea to leave the city. Apollodorus 1.9.27 +1 Acastus
1 more
- The Destruction of Iolcus. Peleus joins Jason and the Dioscuri to destroy the city of Iolcus. He kills Acastus's wife, Astydamia, and marches his army through her dismembered body to enter the city. Apollodorus 3.13.7 Peleus