Questions about Argo

Short answers, pulled from the story.

Who built the ship Argo in Greek myth?

The shipwright Argus constructed the vessel near Mount Pelion in Thessaly around the 4th century BC. He planned the boat with divine aid from Athena and Hera to travel on open seas.

What materials were used to build the ship Argo?

Euripides mentioned pine trees from Mount Pelion formed the oars while Catullus described fir-wood as part of the hull. A special oak from Dodona served as the prow and could speak human voices to deliver oracles.

When did the construction of the ship Argo take place?

The construction took place before any known sailing records existed during the 4th century BC. The ship was consecrated to Poseidon at the Isthmus of Corinth after completing the quest.

Where was the ship Argo dedicated after the journey ended?

After completing the quest, Argo was consecrated to Poseidon at the Isthmus of Corinth. A beam fell from the top of the ship killing Jason while he slept on the ground there.

Why is the name Argo associated with swift movement?

Diodorus Siculus recorded some believed the name meant swift movement while Cicero proposed it derived from the people of Argos. The Romans called it Argoan while Greeks used Argo for the vessel.

How many oars did the ship Argo have according to Apollonius Rhodius?

Apollonius Rhodius wrote that Argus constructed the boat with fifty oars manned by the Argonauts. The design included these oars to travel on open seas with divine aid from Athena and Hera.

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