Last Update: 06 Apr 2021

Medea, the revengeful enchantress

Medea, the sorceress who killed her own children

Medea, the sorceress who murdered her own children

Medea was the beautiful daughter of Aeëtes, king of Colchis.

Medea fell in love with the Greek hero Jason and helped him get the Golden Fleece. To stop her father's pursuit, Medea killed her brother Apsyrtos, cut off his body, and threw his limbs into the sea. Aeëtes then stopped the pursuit to collect the parts of the dead Apsyrtos.

Medea then went into exile in Corinth with Jason and her two children, cutting all ties with her family and her homeland.

While she was in Corinth, the king of Corinth Creon approached Jason and offered his daughter Glauce in marriage. As soon as Jason agreed, Creon ordered Medea to leave Corinth.

Medea felt humiliated and betrayed. Driven by a burning desire for revenge, she decided to send the bride-to-be beautiful wedding gifts that she had dipped in a magical, deadly poison. As soon as Glauce touched the poisoned gifts, she died, along with her father Creon. Medea then killed her own children and buried them in the temple of the goddess Hera with celebration and sacrifice. She then traveled to Athens on a winged chariot drawn by dragons, sent by her grandfather Helios.

Origin of the name

The name "Medea" probably derived from the verb "medomai", which means "to contrive"