Æēta

, or Æētes , king of Colchis, son of Sol and Perseis daughter of Ocean us, was father of Medea, Absyrtus, and Chalciope, by Idya, one of the Oceanides. He killed Phryxus son of Athamas, who had fled to his court on a golden ram. This murder he committed to obtain the fleece of the golden ram. The Argonauts came against Colchis, and recovered the golden fleece by means of Medea, though it was guarded by bulls that breathed fire, and by a venomous dragon. Their expedition has been celebrated by all the ancient poets. See: Jason , Medea , and Phryxus . Apollo dor us , bk. 1 , ch. 9 .— Ovid , Metamorphoses , bk. 7 , fable 1, . — Pausanias , bk. 2 , ch. 3 .— Justin , bk. 42 , ch. 2 .— Flaccus & Orpheus , Argonautic a .