GOLDEN RAM

I don’t know whether you are intrigued by or like mythology. Some stories are just like a joke, very interesting;
sometimes you get quite astonished by them. And some sound familiar; even if you might have read or heard
for the first time, they make you think, “I swear, I have heard this before!”.
One of the most important characteristics is that almost
all of the names mentioned in such stories are in
harmony with the story itself. The story titled “Golden
Ram” I will share with you in a while is one of the best examples
of this type of myths.
This myth has somewhat distinctive importance on account of
existence of some lessons, as well as some narrations similar to
those existing in all three Abrahamic religions.
We all evolve and develop without getting sick and tired since
the creation of the world. Regardless of how many advances
scientists make in technology, there are such behavior patterns
peculiar to human beings that they remain unchanged even after
centuries, thousands of years. I hear you ask, “What are they?”.
Let’s look at the years before Common Era to see what they are.
The Greek King Athamas grew bored with his wife, who never
stopped talking, and decided to get rid of her. Scilicet, men
would get bored of their wives and seek ways to get rid of them
due to the same reasons hundreds of years ago. Actually, at
present, the problem is not with the telly, modern world, ill
manners, but the typical and registered behaviors of both parties.
Finally he achieved his goal and married Princess Ino. But, his
ex-wife, Nephele, was very worried about her daughter Helle,
and particularly her son Phrixus. As a matter of fact, her
worries were right. Because, the new queen would do her worst
to expel the children from the palace to enable her own children
to succeed the throne. Ino would even be so cruel as to kill
Nephele’s children.
It was always the same, regardless of whether it was at the
Ottoman palace or at a European or mythological palace.

Because everyone wants their children to succeed the throne,
they take measures accordingly and try to control the fate of
others. Actually at present, when I think of our own children,
who are to compete with others just like race horses in
examinations they have to take, I believe that we deliberately
make the life difficult for ourselves. Anyway, let’s turn
back the story.
When the cruel Queen Ino started to work on her goal, luck was
also on her side. Because of bad harvest that year, the country
was threatened by famine. Taking this opportunity, Ino consulted
with soothsayers as to how they could get rid of that misfortune.
The solution offered by soothsayers was horrible.
Unfortunately, it was necessary to offer young prince Phrixus to
Gods in order to allay the famine in the country. Athamas was
on the horns of a dilemma and did not want to kill his son, but
as a king, he was to protect his people.
Nephele was horrified of the things she heard, and
started to say prayers desperately. Finally the
king reluctantly agreed to kill his son in order to
protect his people. Just as the little prince was
being led to the altar of his death, a wonderful
ram with a fleece of pure gold flew down from the
heavens, lifted Phrixus and his sister Helle on his back
and then flew away.
This glorious Golden Ram was sent by the God Hermes in
response to Nephele’s prayers. Now I think whether mothers’
fate will always be the same. Will mothers always remain as
a power that will protect their children under any
circumstances? Saying that this is one of the realities that
have remained unchanged for centuries, let’s continue
with the myth.
Meanwhile, Phrixus and Helle, flying high over the sea between
Europe and Asia were mesmerized by their view of the sparking
waters far below as they reflected the sun and the fleece of their
golden ram. But, a sudden gust of wind blew Helle off balance
and although she grabbed for the ram’s wool, it slipped from her
fingers and she fell into the sea. Phrixus wasn’t fast enough to
save her and his tears dropped like rain over what would later be
called the Hellespont, after the drowned princess.
With Phrixus on his back, the ram continued flying and landed in
a country called Colchis. He gave the golden ram to King Aeetes,
who welcomed him warmly, as a present, and married one of his
daughters.
Of course, the myth doesn’t end here. Due to the Golden Ram,
everyone’s eyes turn to Aeetes’ country Cochis. Many a hero
exposed their lives to get hold of the golden ram. However, let’s
see who they were and what they lived at another time.
With love,