Appearance of Perseus : a handsome and vigorous young man
Symbol or attribute of Perseus: often shown with the severed head of Medusa; sometimes depicted with a hat-shaped helmet and winged sandals similar to those worn by Hermes
Strengths: persistent, persuasive, brave and strong fighter.
Weaknesses / Flaws: Can be a bit misleading, like Hermes himself.
Parents of Perseus Danaë and Zeus, who appeared to him like a shower of gold.
Spouse: Andromeda
Children: Seven children with Andromeda.
Major Temple Sites: Perseus has no temple sites, but is associated with the ancient citadel of Mycenae, Tiryns, Argos, and with the island of Serifos.
Basic Story: Perseus’ mother, Danae, was imprisoned by her father due to an oracle saying that his offspring would kill him. The great god Zeus came to her in the form of a shower of gold, either metal or golden light. She later gave birth to Perseus. Their father, fearful of directly killing a son of Zeus, locked them in a box and took them to the sea. They made landfall at Serifos, where a fisherman, Dictys, took them in. The fisherman’s brother, Polydectes, was the ruler of Serifos.
Later, after Perseus grew up, Polydectes fell in love with Danae and sent Perseus on a quest to retrieve Medusa’s head to get him out of the way.
Aided by Hermes, Athena, and some freshwater nymphs, who collectively provided him with a magical sword, shield, invisibility helmet, winged sandals, a bandolier, and advice, Perseus managed to kill Medusa because he knew he could look at her in reflection. on his shiny shield, and know where to aim the killing blow. On the way back from this adventure, he discovered the lovely Libyan princess Andromeda who had been chained to a rock awaiting the death of a whale-like sea monster, Cetus. He saved her (remember, he’s a hero!) And married her.
Libyan princesses feature frequently in Greek myth: Io and Europa were also believed to be from the coast of Libya, which was far enough away to be exotic to the Greeks.
Interesting fact: Perseus can be based on a real person; He is said to have been the founder of the Perseid dynasty of the Mycenaeans and was treated by early Greek writers as a historical figure, not as a god or demigod. He fits the classic archetype of the brave and determined “hero” eager to protect his people from an external threat, be it “real” or metaphysical.
In the movie “Clash of the Titans”, the Cetus has been replaced by the non-Greek Kraken.
Perseus reappears in the sequel, Wrath of the Titans.
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