Perseus (mythology)
Perseus is a prominent figure in Greek mythology, renowned as a heroic character who famously killed the Gorgon Medusa. He is the son of Zeus, the king of the gods, and Danae, a mortal princess. A prophecy foretold that Perseus would eventually kill his grandfather, King Acrisius, who took drastic measures to prevent this fate, including imprisoning Danae. Despite these efforts, Perseus inadvertently fulfilled the prophecy.
After beheading Medusa, he went on to rescue Princess Andromeda from a sea monster, marrying her and starting a family. He is often depicted in art wearing winged sandals and a helmet, wielding a curved sword, and carrying the severed head of Medusa to avoid being turned to stone. Perseus's adventures included assistance from gods like Athena and Hermes, and his legacy continued through his descendants, including the famous hero Herakles.
Perseus was later honored with cult worship across various locations, such as Argos and Mycenae. His myths have inspired numerous artistic representations throughout history, showcasing his lasting influence in culture and art.
Perseus (mythology)
Culture: Greek
Mother: Danae
Father: Zeus
Children: Perses; Cynurus; Alcaeus; Sthenelus; Heleius; Mestor; Electryon; Gorgophone; Autochthe
In Greek mythology, Perseus was the hero who killed the Gorgon, Medusa. He was the son of the king of the gods, Zeus, and the mortal woman, Princess Danae of Argos. A prophecy said that Perseus would kill his grandfather, King Acrisius. Despite the efforts of Acrisius to prevent the event, Perseus did accidentally kill his grandfather.
After beheading Medusa, Perseus saved the princess Andromeda from a sea monster. He married her and they had seven sons, Perses, Alcaeus, Heleus, Mestor, Sthenelus, Electryon, and Cynurus, and two daughters, Gorgophone, and Autochthe. Through his son Electryon, Perseus was the great-grandfather of another mighty Greek hero, Herakles.
Perseus’s father, Zeus, loved many women and had many children with them. So Perseus had dozens of half-siblings, some of whom were gods or goddesses and some of whom were mortal. The immortals included Ares, Artemis, Apollo, Athena, Aphrodite, Hermes, Dionysus, Hebe, and Persephone. A few of the mortals were Argos, Endymion, Herakles, and Helen of Troy.
Perseus is usually shown wearing winged sandals and a helmet. He carries a sickle, or curved, sword. He often carries the severed head of Medusa and his eyes are closed so that he does not accidentally see her and be turned to stone.
In Mythology
King Acrisius of Argos heard a prophecy that he would someday be killed by his grandson. Acrisius locked his only child, Danae, in a tower so that she would never have children. Zeus visited her in a shower of gold and she gave birth to Perseus. When Perseus was four years old, Acrisius heard him playing in the tower. He put Danae and Perseus into a chest and threw them into the sea. They were rescued by Dictys, and Perseus grew up on the island of Seriphus. King Polydectes fell in love with Danae but wanted to rid himself of Perseus. He sent Perseus on a quest to kill the Gorgon, Medusa, knowing that Perseus would be sure to die in the attempt. Medusa and her three sisters were monstrous creatures with wings, claws, and live snakes instead of hair. Anyone who saw a Gorgon would be immediately turned to stone.
Perseus was helped in his quest by the goddess Athena and the god Hermes, who were also children of Zeus. Athena gave him a shield (some versions say she gave him a mirror), and Hermes gave Perseus his own winged sandals so he could fly, the cap of Hades so he would be invisible, a curved sword to cut off Medusa’s head, and a magic bag in which to carry the head. Other versions say Perseus tricked the Graeae, sisters of the Gorgons, into giving him the magical objects. Perseus tracked down Medusa and, while looking at her reflection in his shield, beheaded her and stuffed her head into the magic bag. Some versions of the myth say that Chrysaor and the winged horse, Pegasus, rose from her dead body.
On his journey home, Perseus encountered the giant, Atlas, who was condemned to carry the weight of the heavens upon his shoulders. To relieve his suffering, Perseus used Medusa’s head to turn him into a huge stone mountain. Another version of the story says that Atlas was a wealthy landowner who refused to let Perseus rest in his lands. In retaliation, Perseus turned him to stone.
Continuing his journey home, Perseus saw a beautiful woman, Princess Andromeda, chained to a rock beside the sea. Andromeda’s mother, Cassiopeia, had offended the sea god Poseidon, and an oracle said the only way to appease Poseidon was to leave Andromeda on the rock and wait for a sea monster to come. Perseus killed the sea monster and married Andromeda.
When he returned to Seriphus, Perseus used Medusa’s head to turn King Polydectes and his court to stone. Perseus then gave Medusa’s head to Athena and she placed it on her shield. He returned the other magical objects to Hermes.
He traveled home to Argos with his mother and wife. His grandfather, Acrisius, still feared Perseus would kill him and fled to Larissa, a neighboring country. Later Perseus visited Larissa to participate in athletic games and accidentally hit his grandfather with a discus. Acrisius died and the prophecy was fulfilled.
Perseus refused the throne of Argos because he had killed his grandfather. Instead he traded kingdoms with Megapenthes. Perseus became king of Tiryns and founded the city of Mycenae. After Perseus died, Zeus put Perseus and Andromeda in the heavens as constellations.
Origins & Cults
Perseus had a hero cult and hero shrines. Honors were paid to him through rituals and offerings. He was worshipped in Argos, Mycenae, and Seriphos. He also had an altar in Athens, and a temple and statue in Egypt.
In Popular Culture
The legend of Perseus was frequently portrayed in paintings and sculpture. Perseus is typically shown wearing a helmet and little else. He usually holds Medusa’s head in one hand, and a curved sword in the other. The severed head of Medusa was popular in paintings, statuary, and on Greek pottery.
Famous paintings of Perseus were done by such accomplished artists as Peter Paul Rubens (1577–1640) and Rembrandt (1606–1669). A series of paintings about the Perseus legend were done by Edward Burne-Jones (1833–1898).
Paintings of Perseus’s parents were also popular. Artwork portraying Zeus and Danae was completed by Coreggio (1489–1534) and Titian (1488–1576).
An ancient carved limestone panel from about 540 BCE shows Perseus beheading Medusa. Athena stands to one side of Perseus while Pegasus rises from Medusa’s body.
One of the more famous statues of Perseus was cast in bronze by Benvenuto Cellini (1500–1571). The statue stands in Florence and is considered to be Cellini’s masterpiece. The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City has a replica of a marble statue of Perseus carved by Antonio Canova (1757–1822). The original stands in Vatican City.
Bibliography
Eddy, Steve. Understand Greek Mythology. Chicago: McGraw, 2012. Print.
Ferry, Luc. The Wisdom of the Myths: How Greek Mythology Can Change Your Life. New York: Harper, 2014. Print.
Freeman, Philip. Oh My Gods: A Modern Retelling of Greek and Roman Myths. New York: Simon, 2012. Print.
Morford, Mark P. O., Robert J. Lenardon, and Michael Sham. Classical Mythology. 10th ed. Oxford: Oxford UP, 2013. Print.
Nardo, Don. Greek Mythology. Detroit: Lucent, 2012. Print.
Riordan, Rick. Percy Jackson’s Greek Gods. Los Angeles: Disney-Hyperion, 2014. Print.
Taft, Michael W. Greek Gods & Goddesses. New York: Rosen, 2014. Print.