CHALCIOPE IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY
Chalciope was the less famous daughter of King Aeetes in Greek mythology. Chalciope was the sister of Medea, and thus a princess of Colchis.
Chalciope Daughter of Aeetes
Chalciope was a princess of Colchis, for she was the daughter of the famed king, Aeetes. Commonly it is said that Chalciope was the daughter of Idyia, one of the Oceanids, although, some name other partner’s of Aeetes as her mother, including Asterodia and Neaera. Chalciope was thus sister or half-sister to Medea and Apsyrtus.
Chalciope and Phrixus
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Chalciope would grow up in the royal court of Colchis, and in her formative years, Colchis was a welcoming kingdom; tolerant of strangers.
It was in Colchis that Phrixus arrived, onboard the Golden Ram; the Golden Ram that had been sent to rescue Phrixus and Helle from the intrigue of their stepmother Ino. Helle had not survived the journey, but Phrixus did; and upon his arrival in Colchis, Phrixus sacrificed the ram to Zeus, and gave the Golden Fleece to Aeetes. |
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Aeetes in gratitude gave Chalciope to Phrixus as his wife.
Most sources tell of Chalciope and Phrixus living out their lives together, but some tell of Aeetes killing Chalciope’s husband, following an Oracle that proclaimed Aeetes would be killed by a descendent of Aeolus, Phrixus being such a descendent.
Most sources tell of Chalciope and Phrixus living out their lives together, but some tell of Aeetes killing Chalciope’s husband, following an Oracle that proclaimed Aeetes would be killed by a descendent of Aeolus, Phrixus being such a descendent.
The Sons of Chalciope
By Phrixus, Chalciope was said to have become mother to four sons. Ancient sources give various names for the sons of Chalciope and Phrixus; Argus, Melas, Phrontis and Cytisorus being the most common four. Other names are also added though including Presbon and Hellen.
When of age, the sons of Chalciope, set sail from Colchis, aiming to make landfall in Orchomenus. The sons of Chalciope sought to claim the throne, which they believed to be rightfully theirs, through their father Phrixus.
Zeus though had other plans for the four sons, and so sent a storm which wrecked their ship upon the Island of Ares. The sons of Chalciope were subsequently rescued by Jason and the other Argonauts. The sons of Chalciope then acted as guides for the Argo, guiding the ship to the now closed off kingdom of Colchis.
It is said that it was Chalciope who encouraged Medea to help Jason in his quest to take the Golden Fleece, partially in due to gratitude for their rescue, but also due to fear of what retribution Aeetes might enact upon his own grandsons, for having brought strangers to Colchis.
When of age, the sons of Chalciope, set sail from Colchis, aiming to make landfall in Orchomenus. The sons of Chalciope sought to claim the throne, which they believed to be rightfully theirs, through their father Phrixus.
Zeus though had other plans for the four sons, and so sent a storm which wrecked their ship upon the Island of Ares. The sons of Chalciope were subsequently rescued by Jason and the other Argonauts. The sons of Chalciope then acted as guides for the Argo, guiding the ship to the now closed off kingdom of Colchis.
It is said that it was Chalciope who encouraged Medea to help Jason in his quest to take the Golden Fleece, partially in due to gratitude for their rescue, but also due to fear of what retribution Aeetes might enact upon his own grandsons, for having brought strangers to Colchis.
Chalciope After the Argonauts
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Chalciope was regarded as the loyal daughter of Aeetes, compared with the treachery of Medea, and she was said to have remained by her father’s side throughout all of his trials and tribulations.
Chacliope’s half-brother, Apsyrtus, was killed by Medea and Jason, in order to aide the escape of the Argo; and of course, Aeetes was distraught by the loss of his heir. |
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Aeetes was subsequently overthrown by his brother Perses, and Chalciope would remain with her father, before Medea eventually returned to Colchis, and Aeetes was placed back on the thrown.
Nothing more is then said of Chalciope but in the myths where Phrixus died of old age, it is suggested that Chalciope also died of old age in Colchis.
The line of Chalciope though continued through her eldest son, Argus, who along with his brothers left Colchis upon the Argo. Argus would end up marrying Perimele, the daughter of Admetus and Alcestis. Chalciope was thus grandmother of Magnes, the man who gave his name to the Magnetes of Thessaly.
Nothing more is then said of Chalciope but in the myths where Phrixus died of old age, it is suggested that Chalciope also died of old age in Colchis.
The line of Chalciope though continued through her eldest son, Argus, who along with his brothers left Colchis upon the Argo. Argus would end up marrying Perimele, the daughter of Admetus and Alcestis. Chalciope was thus grandmother of Magnes, the man who gave his name to the Magnetes of Thessaly.
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Colin Quartermain - Chalciope - 16th May 2026