Μύθοι, ιστορίες και ποιήματα για τη θάλασσα 2

The Simpligades Stones

One of the many dangers that the brave Argonauts and their ship Argo were meant to face was one of the most dangerous and scarring sea ways which was well known to all of the sailors of the time. ‘The Simpligades Stones or else the Blue Rocks.’ These rocks were moving along with the sea currents and were crashing the ships that were unlucky enough to pass between them.

Fineas though has given to the Argonauts some valuable guidelines to face this difficulty.

“When you will be around the Simpligades Stones let a pigeon pass between them before trying to pass yourselves. If the bird manages to pass between the Rocks, follow it. However, if the rocks close, don’t try to pass because this will mean that your journey is not blessed by the Gods.”

When the Argonauts reached this horrible pass they followed the prophet’s guidelines. They let a pigeon and it managed to pass between the horrible Rocks. Only a few of its tail’s feathers were stuck when the Rocks closed behind it. The sailors of Jason’s team waited until the rocks removed again the one from the other and when the passage was open they rowed quickly until Argo passed between them. Like the pigeon, the wonderful ship was crashed a little on its stern. Although this was one more omen which warned the Argonauts that their trials were not over yet.

However, the Argo was sailing safely to the Black Sea and was approaching slowly but steadily its destination. Passing by the Caucasus , the Argonauts finally saw the coast of the Colhis. Passing by the Fasis river they sailed to its still waters until they saw the port of Aias.