I really enjoyed this week's reading. It gave us so much more of this world and some great action.

For next week read book 3, and check out the discussion questions in the comments.

​

Summary

the Argo reaches the land of King Amycus of the Bebrycians, who challenges any Argonaut champion to a boxing match. Anger by this disrespect, Polydeukes accepts the challenge, and beats the hulking Amycus by guile and superior skill. The Argo departs amid further threats from the warlike Bebrycians.

​

Next, they encounter Phineas, cursed by Zeus with extreme old age, blindness and constant visits from the Harpies for giving away divine secrets due to his gift of prophesy. The Argonauts Zetes and Calais, sons of the north wind, chase away the Harpies, and the grateful blind old man tell the Argonauts how to get to Colchis and, in particular, how to avoid the Clashing Rocks en route.

​

Avoiding this natural menace, the Argo arrives in the Black Sea, where the questers build an altar to Apollo, who they see flying overhead on his way to the Hyperboreans. Passing the river Acheron (one of the entrances to Hades), they are warmly welcomed by Lycus, king of the Mariandynians. The prophet Idmon and the pilot Tiphys both die unrelated deaths here, and, after suitable funeral rites, the Argonauts continue their quest.

​

After pouring libations for the ghost of Sthenelus, and taking on board three more of Heracles‘ old acquaintances from his campaign against the Amazons, the Argonauts carefully pass the river Thermodon, the Amazons’ main harbour. After fighting off the birds that defend an island devoted to the war-god Ares, the Argonauts welcome into their number four sons of the exiled Greek hero Phrixus (and grandsons of Aetes, king of Colchis). Finally, approaching Colchis, they witness Zeus’ huge eagle flying to the Caucasus mountains, where it feeds daily on the liver of Prometheus.