Perseus
Perseus is a faithful
husband, loving son, loyal fighter, and great hero. Unlike many others in Greek
Mythology, Perseus kept his word and remained faithful to his wife his entire
life.
Main Gods/Goddesses
Involved:
Zeus
Athena
Hermes
Poseidon
Main Humans
Involved:
Perseus
Andromeda
Danae
Other Important
Characters:
Medusa
Most Famous
Scenes:
Slaying of Medusa
Rescue of Andromeda
Setting:
This story takes place all around the world.
Story:
Perseus was the son of Zeus and Danae. When Danae gave birth, her father became
afraid because an oracle told him he would be killed by his son. He threw his
daughter and the baby boy into a chest and tossed the chest into the sea. The
chest landed on a far away shore where a poor fisherman found Danae and the
young boy. He took them as his own family and cared for them. They boy was named
Perseus. When Perseus grew older, the king of the island saw his mother and
stole her away to marry her. Danae did not want to marry. Perseus asked the
king to change his mind, but the king refused. He said that he would release
Danae if Perseus could bring back the head of the gorgon Medusa. Perseus went
to find Medusa. He prayed to Athena for help, and she came. She told him that
the Medusa was a powerful creature. She had snakes for hair, and if you looked
at her, you would turn into stone. Athena gave Perseus her shield, and she asked
Hermes to carry Perseus to the cave of Medusa. Hermes took Perseus to Medusa's
lair. He then gave Perseus a hat that makes the wearer invisible. Cloaked by
Hermes's hat, Perseus entered the cave. He then cut off the head of Medusa by
looking at her through the reflection in Athena's shield. He then brought the
head back home and showed it to the king. The king and his men looked at the
head of Medusa and were turned into stone. He then left to seek adventure.
King
Cepheus and Queen Cassiopea of Ethiopia had a beautiful daughter named Andromeda.
The Queen was very foolish and boasted that she was more beautiful than the
goddesses of the sea. Poseidon, god of the sea was very angered that Cassiopea
insulted his goddesses so he sent the sea monster Cetus to destroy the Ethiopian
coast. King Cepheus pleaded with Poseidon to be gracious to him, but Poseidon
could only be appeased if Cepheus would sacrifice his beautiful daughter, Andromeda
to the sea monster. King Cepheus sadly chained Andromeda to a rock on the shore
in surrender to the beast. At this time, Perseus was walking along when he saw
the princess. At first glance, he thought she was a statue, but the tears falling
from her eyes and the light breeze, blowing her hair caused Perseus to look
closely. When he did so, and realized she was alive, Perseus instantly fell
in love. The princess Andromeda kept respectfully silent but finally told Perseus
her story. Upon hearing her account, the brave Perseus traveled to speak to
the King Cepheus and Queen Cassiopea. They agreed to give their daughter to
Perseus in marriage if he could save her. The monster then appeared and savagely
rushed toward the helpless princess. Perseus arrived and pulled out the head
of Medusa. The monster Cetus was immediately cursed and his head turned to stone.
Perseus released the princess Andromeda and took her as his wife. Upon her death,
many years later, Andromeda was transformed into a cluster of stars in the heavens.
Some still say if you look up in the sky you can still see her today.
Variations:
Some say that all three gorgons live in a cave together. Perseus slew Medusa
while the three slept. Some versions say that Cassiopea claimed Andromeda
was more beautiful than Hera, thus causing Hera to send the sea monster.
Back
King
Cepheus and Queen Cassiopea of Ethiopia had a beautiful daughter named Andromeda.
The Queen was very foolish and boasted that she was more beautiful than the
goddesses of the sea. Poseidon, god of the sea was very angered that Cassiopea
insulted his goddesses so he sent the sea monster Cetus to destroy the Ethiopian
coast. King Cepheus pleaded with Poseidon to be gracious to him, but Poseidon
could only be appeased if Cepheus would sacrifice his beautiful daughter, Andromeda
to the sea monster. King Cepheus sadly chained Andromeda to a rock on the shore
in surrender to the beast. At this time, Perseus was walking along when he saw
the princess. At first glance, he thought she was a statue, but the tears falling
from her eyes and the light breeze, blowing her hair caused Perseus to look
closely. When he did so, and realized she was alive, Perseus instantly fell
in love. The princess Andromeda kept respectfully silent but finally told Perseus
her story. Upon hearing her account, the brave Perseus traveled to speak to
the King Cepheus and Queen Cassiopea. They agreed to give their daughter to
Perseus in marriage if he could save her. The monster then appeared and savagely
rushed toward the helpless princess. Perseus arrived and pulled out the head
of Medusa. The monster Cetus was immediately cursed and his head turned to stone.
Perseus released the princess Andromeda and took her as his wife. Upon her death,
many years later, Andromeda was transformed into a cluster of stars in the heavens.
Some still say if you look up in the sky you can still see her today.