Aeson

• I Aesŏnĭdes, ae, patr. m., = Αἰσονίδης, a male descendant of Aeson, i.e. Jason, Ov. M. 7, 164: Phasias Aesoniden, Circe tenuisset Ulixem, id. A. A. 2, 103: mobilis Aesonide, id. H. 6, 109 al.—
• II Aesŏnĭus, a, um, adj., Aesonian: heros, i.e. Jason, Ov. M. 7, 156: domus, id. H. 12, 134.

(Αἴσων), a son of Cretheus, the founder of Iolcus, and of Tyro, the daughter of Salmoneus. He was excluded by his step-brother Pelias from his share in the kingdom of Thessaly. He was father of Jason and Promachus, but the name of his wife is differently stated, as Polymele, Alcimede, Amphinome, Polypheme, Polymele, Arne, and Scarphe. (Apollod. 1.9.11 and § 16 ; Hom. Od. 11.258; Tzetz. ad Lycophr. 872; Diod. 4.50; Schol. ad Apollod. 1.45; Schol. ad Hom. Od. 12.70.) Pelias endeavoured to secure the throne to himself by sending Jason away with the Argonauts, but when one day he was surprised and frightened by the news of the return of the Argonauts, he attempted to get rid of Aeson by force, but the latter put an end to his own life. (Apollod. 1.9.27.) According to an account in Diodorus (4.50), Pelias compelled Aeson to kill himself by drinking ox's blood, for he had received intelligence that Jason and his companions had perished in their expedition. According to Ovid (Ov. Met. 7.163, 250, &c.), Aeson survived the return of the Argonauts, and was made young again by Medeia. Jason as the son of Aeson is called Aesonides. (Orph. Arg. 55.) [L.S]

AESON or AESO´NIS (Αἴδων, Αἰδωνίς : Eth. Αἰδώνιος), a town of Magnesia in Thessaly, the name of which is derived from Aeson, the father of Jason. (Apollon. 1.411, and Schol.; Steph. B. s. v.)

(Αἴσων). The son of Cretheus and Tyro, and father of Iason. He was excluded from the throne by his half-brother Pelias. During the absence of Iason on the Argonautic expedition, Pelias attempted to murder Aeson, but the latter put an end to his own life. According to Ovid, Aeson survived the return of the Argonauts, and was made young again by Medea. See Argonautae; Iason; Medea.

• Apollod. 1.8.2, Apollod. 1.9.15
• son of Cretheus: Apollod. 1.9.11, Apollod. 1.9.15
• kills himself by drinking bull's blood: Apollod. 1.9.26