Danae and the Golden Shower
In some stories, it is told that King Akrisios’s daughter Danae would bare a son. This son would be He was informed by the gods that his grandson would grow up and end up killing him. In fear, Akrisios built a bronze chamber beneath the earth where he would hold and monitor Danae. In other stories it is told that Zeus seduced Danae by disguising himself as gold streaming through the ceiling into Danae’s womb. After learning that Danae gave birth to Perseus he cast them away on an ark. The ark drifted ashore at Seriphos, where Diktys recovered the child and brought him up.
Perseus's Journey for Medusa's Head
Being the son of Zeus, Perseus fought like the demi-god he was, be-heading Medusa. After being commanded to bring back the head of Medusa by King Poledektes Perseus set off to kill Medusa, first obtaining the winged sandals, magical sword, and invisible helm. His first stop was the Phorkides, Perseus stole the one eye that they all possessed and when they demanded it back he said he would give it back if they directed him to the Nymphai. The Nymphai had in their possession winged sandals and a knapsack as well as the helmet of Hades. Perseus then traveled to the three gorgones and approached them as they slept. Their names were Stheno, Euryale, and the third was Medousa, the only mortal one so it was her head that Perseus had to take. Since anyone who looked into their eyes turned to stone Perseus kept his eyes in the reflection of Medusa in his bronze shield, with Athena guiding his hand. As soon as the gorgon got up Perseus beheaded her and place the head in the knapsack. Perseus was the only person to return from his encounter with Medusa alive, thus proving his demi-god status.
"So over the sea rich-haired Danae's son, Perseus, on his winged sandals sped, Flying swift as thought. In a wallet of silver, A wonder to behold, He bore the head of the monster, While Hermes, the son of Maia, the messenger of Zeus, Kept ever at his side."
- Hesoid and Pindar
"So over the sea rich-haired Danae's son, Perseus, on his winged sandals sped, Flying swift as thought. In a wallet of silver, A wonder to behold, He bore the head of the monster, While Hermes, the son of Maia, the messenger of Zeus, Kept ever at his side."
- Hesoid and Pindar
Perseus takes Cetus |
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On his way back to Seriphos, Perseus stopped by Aithiopia, where he saw a woman laid out for a meal for Cetus the Kraken. The woman was Andromeda, the daughter of King Cephus. Cephus’ wife, Kassiepeia was told by the Oracle that the flood and the Kraken would end if they laid her daughter out to be eaten, so Cephus tied Andromeda to a rock. When Perseus saw what was going on, he swore an oath to rescue Andromeda. He slew Cetus, and then rescued the princess. However, Cephus’ brother, Phineas, was engaged to Andromeda at the time, and he conspired against Perseus. Perseus learned of Phineas’ plot, and turned him and his colleagues to stone by displaying Medusa’s head. Perseus later married Andromeda and they lived happily ever after.
- Type of god or hero along with some sort of power-level or intelligence-level rating
· Much stronger than normal people but is limited to human vulnerabilities
Known associations: friends, enemies, connections to other gods, other myths
Enemies- medusa, Cletus, Polydektes
· Relations to other gods- Father is Zeus, great-great-great- grandson of Atlas
· Friends- none
Relation/interactions with humanity
· Lived among humans
· Foster parents are human fishermen
Corresponding origin or myth
· The Feud of Akrisios & Proitos
God's abilities
· Much stronger than regular humans
Sources
Perseus
Theoi.com
Theoi.com