— Ch. 1 · Lineage And Origins —
Pelias.
~4 min read · Ch. 1 of 5
A Roman fresco from Pompeii, dated to the 1st century AD, depicts Pelias stopping on temple steps as he recognizes a young man with one missing sandal. This image captures the moment that would define his reign and end his life. The mythological figure known as Pelias was king of Iolcus in ancient Greece. He claimed divine parentage through Poseidon and Tyro. Ancient sources offer conflicting accounts regarding his birth. Apollodorus states that Tyro loved Enipeus, a river god, but her husband Cretheus rejected her advances. Poseidon disguised himself as Enipeus to lie with Tyro. Their union produced twin sons named Pelias and Neleus. Tyro exposed these infants on a mountain to die. A herdsman found them and raised them as his own according to one version of the story. Another account suggests they were raised by a maid instead. When the twins reached adulthood, they located their mother Tyro. They killed Sidero, Tyro's stepmother, for mistreating her. Sidero had hidden inside a temple dedicated to Hera. Pelias killed her anyway despite her sanctuary status. This act caused Hera to hold an undying hatred toward him.
Usurpation Of Power
Pelias sought dominion over all of Thessaly during his early years. He banished his brother Neleus from the kingdom. He also expelled Pherês from the land. Pelias locked Aeson inside dungeons within Iolcus. The modern city of Volos sits near where these ancient events occurred. While imprisoned in the dungeons, Aeson married and fathered several children. His most famous son was Jason. Fearful that Pelias would kill him, Aeson sent Jason away from Iolcus. Jason grew up under the care of Chiron the centaur. Chiron lived on the slopes of Mount Pelion. There Jason received education while Pelias ruled. An oracle warned Pelias to beware a man wearing only one sandal. This prophecy haunted the king throughout his reign. The warning set the stage for future conflict with his nephew.The Oracle And The Sandal
Many years passed before the prophecy came true. Pelias offered a sacrifice by the sea in honor of Poseidon. Jason arrived at this event after being summoned along with many others. He lost one of his sandals in the flooded river Anaurus. The water rushed as he hurried toward Iolcus. In Virgil's Aeneid and Hyginus's Fabulae 13, Hera disguised herself as an old woman. Jason helped her cross the river when he lost his sandal. When Jason entered Iolcus, attendants announced him as a man wearing one sandal. Fear gripped Pelias upon hearing this description. He asked Jason what he would do if confronted with the man who would be his downfall. Jason responded that he would send that man after the Golden Fleece. Pelias took Jason's advice immediately. He sent Jason to retrieve the Golden Fleece from Colchis. The fleece hung on an oak tree in a grove sacred to Ares. An ever-watchful dragon guarded the tree itself. Apollodorus records these events in detail within his Library of Greek Mythology.