Banished from Argos right before he was born (as a consequence of an ominous prophecy), Perseus grew up over a distant island. When he arrived of age, he was despatched to eliminate the Gorgon Medusa, a monster whose gaze turned all who looked upon her to stone.
Medusa was killed by the hero Perseus, a son of Zeus as well as mortal Argive princess Danae. Perseus had been sent to fetch Medusa’s head by Polydectes, a cruel king who wished to have Perseus from the way so he could marry his mom, Danae.
As Andromeda was awaiting her fate, Perseus happened to go by on his way dwelling from killing the Gorgon Medusa. When he learned what was going on—that The attractive Female certain to the rock was being sacrificed to Poseidon’s sea monster—Perseus designed Cepheus and Cassiopeia a proposal: whenever they promised him Andromeda’s hand in marriage, he would help save her daily life.
Perseus was the son of Zeus, the king from the gods, and Danae, a mortal princess and daughter of your Argive king Acrisius.
Therefore armed, Perseus beheaded the monster and brought the terrible head back to Polydectes—who turned to stone once he checked out it.
Pegasus was from time to time reported being the thunder-bearer of Zeus himself. He was also associated with the Muses. The constellation Pegasus was produced inside the heavens to honor him.
Perseus and Andromeda shortly traveled to Greece, in which that they had numerous little ones. They're remembered as being the ancestors of many excellent heroes, together with Heracles.
Heracles and Iphicles were being twins who shared a mom but experienced various fathers. Alcmene, the wife of Amphitryon, had been seduced by Zeus, who arrived to her disguised as Amphitryon.
The venomous vipers of the Sahara were also occasionally explained to are already born from Medusa’s blood. With this myth, the vipers emerged in the droplets of Medusa’s blood as Perseus flew over the Sahara Using the Gorgon’s severed head.[19]
When Metis grew to become pregnant, Jupiter, who experienced seized Charge of the universe by overthrowing his father Saturn, figured out of a prophecy foretelling his downfall in the palms of his possess son. Fearing that Metis’ unborn youngster would satisfy this prophecy, Jupiter swallowed Metis and her little one entire, equally as Saturn had swallowed Jupiter’s brothers and sisters.
Andromeda was known for her extraordinary beauty. As she was a princess of Ethiopia, it truly is fair to presume that she was black; without a doubt, it appears that evidently historic authors took it as a right that the mythical Ethiopians experienced dim skin.[1]
Phorcys can often be found in historic performs of artwork, which include vase paintings and mosaics. He was usually revealed as human from your waistline up but With all the scaly lessen entire body of a fish.
There are actually distinct variations of what Perseus desired in the Graeae. In one Model—likely the click here more acquainted a person—the hero needed to locate a group of nymphs who had been in possession of winged sandals, a cap of invisibility, and also a magical bag (the kibisis) that could keep Medusa’s harmful head—the resources required to confront the Gorgon. But only the Graeae knew the place Perseus could obtain these nymphs.
But Perseus experienced significant aid from your gods, who gave him the resources he would wish to combat Medusa: an adamant sickle, a mirror-polished defend, winged sandals, Hades’ helmet of invisibility, as well as a Unique satchel to contain the Gorgon’s head.
Although not as outstanding as his godlike half-brother, Iphicles was a hero in his individual correct, participating in the Calydonian Boar Hunt and accompanying Heracles on a handful of his exploits.