Iolcus

Iolcus was a city on the shores of the Pagasaean Gulf, near the port-city of Pagasae. It is now called Volos.

Cretheus, son of Aeolus, founded Iolcus. When he died, his eldest son Aeson (father of Jason) should have inherited the kingdom. Instead, Cretheus' stepson Pelias (son of Poseidon and Tyro) seized the throne, imprisoned Aeson, and forced his brother and other half-brothers to flee from Iolcus. Iolcus became one of the most powerful kingdoms in Greece. Pelias offered the kingdom to Jason, if the hero could retrieve the Golden Fleece (See Argonauts). Medea, sorceress and wife of Jason, caused Pelias' death.

Acastus succeeded his father (Pelias), but the hero Peleus would later destroy or capture the city.

Read the Aeolids in Thessaly for the history of the city of Iolcus.

See the family tree for the Aeolids in Iolcus.