THE LAST WORD ON THE GOLDEN FLEECE LEGEND?

Summary. Evidence is discussed for the three theories on the origins of the Golden Fleece legend. That the epithet 'golden'referred to fine wool, because of its value, is thought to be not incompatible with the view that fleeces were used to collect gold particles from streams. That the fleece was yellow is unlikely since such discoloration is a wool fault, but it is just possible that 'golden' might refer to genetically 'tan' fibres.