Iolkos was an ancient city of Thessaly, in today's Magnesia, at the base of Pelion. It was located near the beach of the Pagasitikos Gulf. There are references to Iolkos in Homer's Iliad and other ancient writers, such as Hesiod, Pindar and Euripides. The founder of Iolkos, according to mythology, was Cretheus, who was followed by Pelias, who ordered his nephew Jason to bring the 'golden fleece' from Colchis, which became the cause of the famous Argonautic Expedition. Iolkos was inhabited continuously until the 2nd century BC and sporting games were held there, known as the "Athla for Pelias The inhabitants of Iolkos adored the goddess Artemis, Iolkia Artemis, whose temple was probably located on the hill of the Castle of Volos.