ABOUT ARGOS

Ἄργος Mythos

ARGOS - PANOPTES

Abraham Bloemaert
ARGUS BY SALVADORE DALI

ARGUS BY SALVADORE DALI

 

Working with my first client who happened to be Greek and also major shipping businessman I was able to put my extensive knowledge of Greek mythology to use.

Argus Panoptes (or Argos), (Ἄργος Πανόπτης), is a many-eyed giant in Greek mythology. Argos was a primordial giant who was all-seeing.  He is described with multiple, often one hundred, eyes.

In the photo above Mercury, Argos are depicted by Abraham Bloemaert (circa 1592) with a theme of stealth and murder.

Argos was given a mythic role, set by Hera as a very effective watchman.  If you are a Greek Mythology buff then you will know of all of Zeus’s digressions and wondering ways.  Hera in affect had Argos watch and report back to her on Zeus.

Argos was able to accomplish this task due to his having so many eyes that only a few of the eyes would sleep at a time: there were always eyes still awake.

To free himself Zeus had Argus slain by Hermes (Mercury). The messenger of the Olympian gods, disguised as a shepherd. Hermes played his magical flute which put Argos completely to sleep, then Argos was killed by Hermes.

Hera commemorated her faithful watchman.  She had the hundred eyes of Argos preserved forever, in a peacock’s tail.

ARGOS - THE DOG AND ODYSSEUS

ARGOS THE DOG AND ODYSSEUS

This story brings to mind that a memory connection to the strongest and most primal of our 5 senses, our sense of smell.

Even though Argos hadn’t seen his master in over 20 years he recognized him immediately.  Argos was old, dying and was not able to hear Odysseus because he did not call to him, was not able to touch, taste or see him but the dogs sense of smell was just as keen as ever and the memory of his master was forever etched in his heart.

In Homer’s Odyssey, Argos is Odysseus’ faithful dog. After ten years fighting in Troy, followed by ten more years struggling to get home to Ithaca, Odysseus finally arrives at his homeland. In his absence, reckless suitors have taken over his house in hopes of marrying his wife. In order to secretly re-enter his house to ultimately spring a surprise attack on the suitors, Odysseus disguises himself as a beggar, and only his son is told of his true identity.

As Odysseus approaches his home, he finds Argos lying neglected old and very tired. This is a sharp contrast to the dog Odysseus left behind; Argos used to be known for his speed and strength and his superior tracking skills.

Unlike everyone else, Argos recognizes Odysseus at once and he has just enough strength to drop his ears and wag his tail but cannot get up to greet his master.

Unable to greet his beloved dog, as this would betray who he really was, Odysseus passes by (but not without shedding a tear) and enters his hall, and Argos dies. The simplicity of the relationship between Argos and Odysseus allows their reunion to be immediate and sincere.

ARGO - THE BOAT

ARGO THE BOAT

In Greek mythology, the Argo (/ˈɑːrɡoʊ/; in Greek: Ἀργώ, meaning ‘swift’) was the ship on which Jason and the Argonauts sailed from Iolcos to Colchis to retrieve the Golden Fleece. She was named after her builder, Argus.

The Argo was constructed by the shipwright Argus, and its crew were specially protected by the goddess Hera. The best source for the myth is the Argonautica by Apollonius Rhodius. According to certain sources, the Argo was the first ship to sail the seas. According to other legends, Argo contained in her prow a magical piece of timber from the sacred forest of Dodona, which could speak and render prophecies.

After her successful journey, the Argo was consecrated to Poseidon in the Isthmus of Corinth. She was then translated into the sky and turned into the constellation Argo Navis.

THE CITY OF ARGOS

THE CITY STATE OF ARGOS

THE CITY STATE OF ARGOS

ANCIENT GREEK ASTRONOMICAL MAP, CENTERED ON THE SOUTHERN CONSTELLATION OF ARGO NAVIS, 1742. FROM ATLAS

The city of Argos was believed to be the birthplace of the mythological character Perseus, the son of the god Zeus.  It was also believed that the city of Argos was one of the most ancient of all and may have been the birthplace to mankind itself.