Medea’s Escape

13” X 13”

600.00

Medea fell in love with Jason the moment she laid eyes on him, and pledged him her skills as a witch in his quest for the golden fleece if he would marry her. After ten years together, many perilous adventures where Jason would have failed if not for the aid Medea rendered to him, and two sons, Medea was distraught at where she found herself. Jason had been offered the throne of Corinth, and the hand of the King Creon’s daughter Glauce. Since Medea was from Colchis, their marriage was not deemed legitimate, and since she had children, she was a threat to Glauce’s line, and was therefore to be driven from Corinth. Driven to despair at the prospect of a destitute life in exile, she fell back on her cunning. After persuading Aegeus to give her sanctuary in Athens, Medea feigned submission, and gave Glauce a coronet and fine dress. The gifts of course had been infused with a poison, which caused Glauce to burst into flames, killing her and Creon, who died as he attempted to put out the flames. She then took revenge on Jason by killing their children, and fleeing in the chariot of her grandfather Helios, leaving Jason to live the rest of his life in abject misery.