The centaur Chiron raised Jason of Iolaus to be a hero. Jason’s father had lost his throne to his brother, Pelias. When Jason grew up, he set off to reclaim his father’s throne. Admiring his good looks, Hera disguised herself as an elderly woman who needed his help to cross a stream. Jason gallantly helped her, losing a sandal in the process, after which Hera revealed herself to him and pledged her support in his quest.

When Jason arrived in Iolcus, Pelias pretended to welcome him warmly, but an oracle had warned him that a young man with one sandal would unseat him. Pelias told Jason that he would relinquish his crown if Jason brought the Golden Fleece back to Greece from Colchis. The Fleece had once been “the coat of a flying ram” (214) that Zeus had sent to save Thessalian prince Phrixus. After rescuing Phrixus, the golden ram flew him to Colchis, where he married the daughter of the local king, who sacrificed the ram and hung its coat in a sacred grove. Pelias was confident that the king would never willingly part with the Fleece, which a dragon guarded.

However, Jason had Hera’s help.