Welcome to the Porticus Argonautarum!

I am Critias of Naxos, the curator for the portico, and would be most happy to give you a short tour. A recitation of the tale of Jason and the Golden Fleece will begin in just a moment.

This beautiful colonnaded building is located next to the Pantheon and encloses the western side of the Saepta. The open courtyard of the Saepta in front of the Porticus Argonautarum is used by artists and vendors to display their wares to people enjoying a stroll in the Campus Martius.

The Porticus Argonautarum has been constructed as a stoa in the Hellenic style. The walls and ceiling are decorated with frescoes depicting the adventures of the Argonauts. Friezes on the outer walls show the construction of the Argo and the gods and goddesses that appear in the adventure. Statues of the heroes are placed between the columns supporting the Portico’s roof.

The Tale of the Argonauts

Avete, citizens! Behold, we tell the tale of mighty Jason of Iolchus, risking voyage in unknown seas and battles with monsters of legend to recover the Golden Fleece and reclaim his rightful throne.

The Beginning

Golden Fleece Mirror

First, you must know, there was the Golden Fleece, wool of a flying ram, sent by the god Helius to rescue noble Phrixus and fair Helle from sacrificial death. Though Helle fell and drowned in the Hellespont, a tragic death, Phrixus rode the ram to far Colchis. There he married the fair daughter of the king and gave his wife’s royal father the Golden Fleece as a gift of alliance.

Aeëtes, king of Colchis, was warned by prophecy to guard the treasure – for his reign would end when a stranger came to claim the Golden Fleece and one of his own family would betray him. Thus, twice-warned Aeëtes had Phrixus murdered and his grandsons, the sons of Phrixus, banished from Colchis. The Golden Fleece was nailed to a tree in a hidden grove, guarded by a dragon sent by warlike Ares. Aeëtes decreed that all strangers captured in his kingdom should be killed. Thus, he sought to save his throne.

Pelias Sends Jason

Now we turn the vision of our minds to Iolcus, fair city of Hellas. Pelias, usurper, promised to yield the throne to noble Jason, true heir, if Jason would fetch the Golden Fleece from far Colchis. Jason, eager for adventure, agreed. Scheming Pelias smiled, for Jason might not survive the voyage and would be gone for many years.

Word of the dangerous quest to an unknown land drew the mightiest heroes and strongest warriors from all Hellas. Fifty in all volunteered to join the great adventure, including Telamon, Meleager, Castor and Pollux (the Dioscuri), Orpheus, and the greatest hero of them all, Heracles. Pelias’ own son Acastus also joined the heroes’ company.

The skilled shipwright Argus, inspired by the goddess Athena,

Argo Shipwright

built a large ship of fifty oars, which the heroes named Argo in his honor. The Argo’s prow was fitted with a talking beam to warn of danger, brought by shining Athena from Dodona. When all was ready, the Argonauts departed Iolcus from the harbor of Aphetae on their long, perilous voyage….

Continue reading a synopsis of the story.

Visit the current exhibitions in the Courtyard.

M.∙FABIUS∙FURIUS∙
EQUITUS∙PATRONUS∙NOVUS∙
DE∙SUO∙POSUIT∙EX∙TESTAMENTO∙
HOC∙PORTICUS∙
ORBAE∙ANTICAE∙ANNUS∙∞∞VII

Donated to the People of AW Rome on the occasion of becoming Patron

Page and table backgrounds throughout this property designed by Eos Development.
Argo property icon from Navistory. All other image sources listed here.