Historiae Romanorum

Apsyrtus

The son of Aeetes, the king of Colchis.

When the Argonauts attempted to flee with the Golden Fleece, Apsyrtus was sent by his father to block their escape along the Danube River.  He made an arrangement with Jason that, if he handed over Medea, the Argonauts would be allowed to leave.  Jason agreed, but then he and Medea betrayed Apsyrtus and murdered him.  As was the custom when a man was killed using deceit, Jason cut off the dead man's toes and fingers and sucked out some of the blood, to absolve himself from fault.

Source(s):

1. Apollonius Rhodius.  Argonautica.

This page was last updated on July 21, 2004.