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Perseus is one of the most important heroes and demigods in Greek mythology. Son of Zeus and Danae, he was famous for having defeated Medusa. He is also credited with the founding of the city of Mycenae, the rescue of Andromeda, and other heroic deeds.
story of perseus
According to one of the versions, Acrisio, the king of Argos, received from an oracle the prophecy that his grandson would kill him. To prevent this, he locked his daughter Danae in a tower. This prevented her from being in contact with a man. However, the supreme god of Olympus, Zeus, transformed into a shower of gold and fell on Danae, leaving her pregnant. From this union Perseus was born.
Another version suggests that Preto, the brother of Acrisius, was the father of Perseus. Acrisius, upon finding out, threw Danae and his son into the sea. Poseidon, at the request of Zeus, calmed the waters and both Danae and Perseus arrived safely on the island of Serifos, where Polydectes ruled. He fell in love with Danae, and to get rid of Perseus, he entrusted him with an almost suicidal mission: to go in search of the head of Medusa. And so began the journey of Perseus and the legends of him.
Legends and myths of Perseus
Like other Greek heroes, Perseus’ life was filled with feats and acts of bravery that became myths and popular legends. Let us now see some of the most interesting legends of Perseus:
Perseus and Medusa
Perseus’s most famous feat was undoubtedly the defeat of Medusa. Perseus, with great ingenuity and with the help of the gods Athena, Hermes and Hades, managed to accomplish an almost impossible task. Medusa was one of the three Gorgons, female monsters that terrified men. This monster would turn anyone who dared to look it straight in the eye to stone.
To achieve his goal, Perseus was guided by Athena and Hermes to the Grayas, ancient deities who shared a single eye and a single tooth among the three. Perseus took their eyes and forced them to tell him where the nymphs were. From these, he obtained a magic bag to keep Medusa’s head. He also got the winged sandals from Hermes, and from Hades the steel sickle and the helmet, which had the property of making whoever wore it invisible. The goddess Athena gave her his shield, which reflected light like a mirror.
Armed with these items, Perseus reached the sleeping monsters and decapitated Medusa, using the steel sickle and shield to avoid looking directly at her. Later, Perseus escaped from Medusa’s sisters, becoming invisible with the case of Hades.
The punishment of Atlas
Later, Perseus came to Atlasa who requested accommodation. But he tried to expel him, believing that Perseus wanted to steal the fruits of the garden of the Hesperides. To punish him, Perseus showed him the head of Medusa and turned him into stone.
The encounter with Andromeda
During his journey, he found Andromeda chained to a rock, as an offering to Ceto, a sea monster. Andromeda was the daughter of the kings Cepheus and Cassiopeia. As the queen claimed to be more beautiful than the Nereids, the gods sent Ceto to punish her. According to an oracle, Ceto would only leave if Andromeda was handed over to him. Perseus, seeing her, fell in love with her and killed the monster to save her. Later Perseus and Andromeda married and had six children: Alceo, Méstor, Heleo, Estéleno, Electrión and Gorgofone. One of his great-grandsons was the great Heracles, known as Hercules in Rome.
Polydectes’ Revenge
Later, Perseus returned to Serifos, where Polydectes was attacking his own brother Dictys and Danae. Perseus showed him the head of Medusa and turned Polydectes and his entire court to stone. Thanks to this, Dictis recovered the throne from him, Perseus returned to Hermes and Athena the objects that they had lent him, and gave them the head of Medusa.
the prophecy is fulfilled
Once in Argos, Perseus participated in the discus throwing sports event, with which he accidentally hit his grandfather, who died as a result of the blow. In this way, the prophecy of the oracle was fulfilled.
Being responsible for the death of his grandfather, Perseus did not want to reign in his place and appointed Megapentes, his wife’s cousin, king of Argos. In return, he became king of Tiryns.
perseus immortality
By dying, Perseus became immortal and became a star. At present there is a constellation that bears his name. In addition, every year a meteor shower occurs, known as “the Perseids” in honor of the Greek hero and demigod.
Sources
perseus . Mythology Wiki. Available at https://mitologia.fandom.com/es/wiki/Perseus .
PERSEUS – Argive Hero & King of Greek Mythology . Theoi. Available at https://www.theoi.com/Heros/Perseus.html .
Hamilton, E. Mythology . 2021. Editorial Planeta, printed in Spain.
