Euripides tells the story of Medea, the princess of Colchis.  She is the grand-daughter of the sun god Helius and a priestess of the witch goddess Hecate. Medea's husband is Jason, king of Iolcus.  Jason and Medea first met while he and the Argomauts were on a quest for the golden fleece.  While in Colchis, Medea fell in love with Jason and betrayed her father and family for him and thus was forced to leave Colchis with him. 

     As time goes on Jason wishes to marry the princess of Corinth as a marriage of convience both politically and economically.  Medea is enraged by the proposed marriage.  She attempts to argue with Creon, the king of Corinth but he instead banishes her from his country.  He allows her one more day to stay for the children's sake.  During this time, Medea encounters Ageus, the king of Athens who is returning from the Oracle of Phoebus.  He agrees to allow Medea to enter his country under his protection if she can get to Athens on her own.  In return Medea promises that he will have a male heir.  Medea then decides to avenge herself from the agony Jason has put her through.  Medea first uses the children as bait. She tricks Jason into letting the children live with him. The children come to the palace with a dress and crown Medea has made for the new bride.  Both items are cursed under Medea's power.  As soon as the new bride sees herself in the new clothes she is engulfed in flames.  Her father attempts to save her and is killed as well.  After this, Medea contemplates whether or not she should kill her own children. She decides to kill her children because that would make Jason suffer the most Jason, not knowing his children are dead, pursues Medea with his troops for the killing of the rulers.  He then discovers they are dead and watches Medea flee in Helius' chariot drawn by dragons.Jason is left alone and Medea triumphs.

Maria Callas as Medea