Perseus

Also known as: descendant of Abas / descendant of Inachus / grandson of Abas · Family: Perseus · Role: hero · First appears: Fable 39

Perseus is descended through Danaë from Abas, and Bachæmon follows him in the line of descent. He is the son of Jupiter and Danaë, and after killing Medusa he carries her head into Africa, where its blood produces serpents. When Acrisius regrets denying his divine parentage, Atlas refuses him hospitality and attempts to drive him away; Perseus reveals Medusa’s head, turning Atlas into a mountain.

In Æthiopia, Perseus proposes marriage to Andromeda, and Cassiope and Cepheus accept, promising the kingdom as her dowry. “I should surely be preferred before all as your son-in-law.” He kills the sea monster, frees Andromeda, and marries her, while Minerva, described as his sister, protects him with her shield; Mercury has given him the falchion he uses. Phineus, to whom Andromeda had previously been promised, attacks Perseus, but Perseus defeats his forces and turns Phineus to stone with Medusa’s head.

After this victory, Perseus goes with Andromeda to Argos, petrifies the usurper Prœtus, and restores Acrisius to the throne. He also wounds Molpeus, stabs Ethemon, and turns Thescelus, Eryx, and others to stone, while defeating Athis, Erithus, Polydæmon, Abaris, and Nileus. At Seriphus, when Polydectes continues to deny his victory over Medusa, Perseus turns the king to stone.