DIVINE INTERVENTION AT SEA IN APOLLONIUS OF RHODES’ ARGONAUTICA
DIVINE INTERVENTION AT SEA IN APOLLONIUS OF RHODES’ ARGONAUTICA

Summary/Abstract: In this paper the authors discuss the role of divine intervention at sea in Apollonius of Rhodes’ The Argonautica. The sea is characterized in the poem as an inherently dangerous place, thus the need for divine intervention in order to navigate it, either directly or through the use of prophecies and visions; this is especially true of the first three books of the epic poem. While the gods are depicted as themselves being responsible for dangerous sailing conditions, it is also noted that the sea at times represents a danger even to the gods themselves. In the final book of The Argonautica, the sea becomes a place of refuge, healing, and absolution, with a purificatory aspect revealed to be made use of, by both divine and mortal characters.

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