PERHAPS A GIFT VOUCHER FOR MUM?: MOTHER'S DAY
Apollonius of Rhodes developed the classical traditions of the Homeric epic, expanding them to include a flair for romance and psychological insight which were entirely his own. He published his first version of the Argonautica sometime in the middle of the third century B.C. but was met with derision and prepared a second and probably shorter version. This was so well received by the Rhodians that he was honoured with their franchise and for some years lived on that island. Later he returned to Alexandria to find his work now held in high esteem. At the end of his life he was Director of the famous library of Alexandria.
Written in the third century BC by Apollonius of Rhodes, who despite his surname was a citizen of Alexandria, The Voyage of the Argo is the only complete account that we have of the ancient quest of Jason, on his ship the Argo, to discover the golden fleece. Taking his inspiration from Homer, Apollonius breathes fresh spirit into his account of the ancient voyage by taking a humanist approach, writing from a personal point of view as intimately as if he was a passenger on the Argo himself. From his descriptions of the gathering crew, to Jason's meeting with the enchanting Medea, Apollonius infuses his account with psychological insight and even gives the Argo a human voice. (Kirkus UK)
