Golden Fleece, in Greek mythology, the magic fleece of the winged
ram that saved Phrixus and Helle, the children of Nephele and
Athamas, from the jealousy of Ino, Athamas' second wife. The ram
flew to Colchis, but Helle fell into the sea, which was thereafter
known as the Hellespont. Phrixus arrived safely, sacrificed the
ram, and hung its fleece in a wood guarded by a dragon. The ram
became the constellation Aries. Phrixus married a daughter of King
Aeëtes of Colchis and begot Argus and three other sons. The quest
of Jason and the Argonauts was for this fleece.