SOURCE: An introduction to The "Argonautica" of Apol-lonius Rhodius: Book III, by Apollonius Rhodius, edited by Marshall M. Gillies, Ayer Company, Publishers, Inc., 1985, pp. xxix-xlv.

In the following excerpt from a work originally published in 1928, Gillies summarizes the Argonautica, considers its relation to other Alexandrine literature, and discusses Apollonius's unprecedented treatment of romance in Book Three.

(a) the Narratives of the Voyage

… The Argonautica begins, not with the departure of Jason from lolcus, but like a modern serial story, with a rapid synopsis of preceding events. Hard on the conventional invocation and statement of theme, there follows an explanation of Pelias' fear of the one-sandalled man, a brief account of the arrival of Jason in this condition, and a sinister version¹ of the means by which Pelias forced on Jason the Quest of the Golden Fleece. For the building of the Argo, a general reference is given to...