Greek and Roman Mythology: Heroes: Perseus
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It was once said that the child of Danae would be the one to kill her father the king Acrisius. Because of this
he locked his daughter up in a bronze tower. Zeus was still able to sneak into the tower as a rain of gold and caused her to bear the child
Perseus. Her father put both herself and her child into a wooden chest and cast them into the sea. They were rescued by a
fisherman who brought them to King Polydectes. This king wanted to marry Danae, but Perseus was lack to approve. In order to
rid the court of Perseus the king sent him on a quest to bring back the head of Medusa.
With the help of Athena and Hermes, Perseus was able to defeat the gorgon. Athena gave him the knowledge to never look into her eyes and a shield of shimering meta. Hermes gave him a sickle, a leather bag, and a pair of winged sandals. Also with the help of the Graea she was able to fool Medusa into looking at her own reflection and turning to stone. Perseus later returned to the home of King Polydectes and saved his mother by turning the king into stone.
Perseus was also the hero that helped save the maiden Andromeda. He saved her from being eaten by a sea-monster as she was chained to a rock. They later fell in love and wed. Shortly after the wedding all three returned to their home of Argos. Fearing that the prophecy would come true, Acrisius fled the area. While performing at a competition Perseus threw a discuss that went off track. Ironically, this discuss went and struck his would be father in the head.
Kingdom: Teryns
Father: Zeus
Mother: Danae
Wife: Andromeda
Children: Perses, Electryon
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Copyright: Nikki Burke 2000-2008
Website Last Updated: January 03, 2008
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