Perseus

First appears: Apollodorus, Library 2.4

🌐 Also appears in: The Iliad (as Perseus) · The Metamorphoses of Ovid (as Perseus) · Greek Tragedy — The Same Myth, Three Voices (as Perseus)

Perseus was born to Danae; some said Zeus came to her as a stream of gold. When Acrisius learned of the child, he cast Danae and Perseus into the sea in a chest, which reached Seriphus, where Dictys took him in and raised him: “Dictys took up the boy and reared him.” Later, Perseus beheaded Medusa while Athena guided his hand, and from her body sprang Pegasus and Chrysaor, whom she had by Poseidon. He also made his way to Enyo, Pephredo, and Dino, the daughters of Phorcus.

In Ethiopia, Perseus saw Andromeda, loved her, and promised Cepheus that he would kill the sea monster in return for her hand. He slew the monster, released Andromeda, and married her; before returning to Greece, he had Perses by her. At Seriphus, he found Danae and Dictys taking refuge from Polydectes, and showed Polydectes and his assembled friends Medusa’s head, turning them to stone before appointing Dictys king.

At the athletic games held by Teutamides, Perseus accidentally struck Acrisius with a quoit and killed him, fulfilling the oracle. He buried Acrisius outside the city and exchanged Argos with Megapenthes for Tiryns, where Perseus reigned while Megapenthes ruled the Argives. Perseus and Andromeda had further children in Mycenae: Alcaeus, Sthenelus, Heleus, Mestor, and Electryon, as well as a daughter, Gorgophone, whom Perieres married. Phineus also plotted against him, but Perseus discovered the plot.