Symplegades
The moving rock gate whose collision tests timing, speed and coordinated rowing.
Overview
The Symplegades are not an obstacle crossed by courage alone. Phineus supplies the dove test, the crew rows to its timing, Athena gives a final push at the stern, and after success the rocks cease moving as fated.
Key facts
The dove goes first
The dove passes with only tail feathers lost, becoming the signal for Argo to follow at once.
Fixed after the passage
After Argo passes, the rocks no longer clash, permanently changing the dangerous threshold.
Relationships
- Phineusexplains the dove test
Phineus directs the crew to release a dove and use its result to decide whether to rush the rocks.
- Passage of the Clashing Rockstakes place at
The passage event occurs at the strait of the colliding rocks.
- Argopasses by the dove’s timing
Argo follows the dove’s path and passes the gap through whole-crew rowing.
- Passage of the Clashing Rocksfixes the rocks permanently
After the first ship passes successfully, the rocks cease moving as fated.
Story appearances
- The ArgonautsSymplegades in the Argonaut expedition
Symplegades enters this story through the Argonaut expedition; other versions are handled where their own episodes call for them.
Ancient sources
MythWeave distinguishes ancient-source evidence from later adaptations and modern interpretation.