A-Z: General definitions: Perseus

Definition

Perseus was the son of Zeus and Danae. Polydectes, the ruler of the island of Seriphos, had designs on Danae and wanted to get Perseus out of the way. He therefore sent him on what seemed to be an impossible mission to bring back the head of the Gorgon. Before returning to his mother with the head of Medusa, Perseus went to Ethiopia, whose King was Cepheus. Cassiopeia his wife had angered Poseidon by her vanity and he had sent a flood and a sea-monster to punish her people. Perseus discovered that their daughter, Andromeda, had been chained to a rock to be eaten by this monster, the only way to save the country. He fell in love with her, and agreed to kill the monster if he could marry her. Using his magic weapons, Perseus killed the monster. He married Andromeda and continued his journey home.

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Danae

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