Greek mythological characters have been characterized as one of the topics of interest in a large amount of research. Their myths are the most mentioned, especially because of the relationship they have with each other. Learn in this article about the demigod perseus.
perseus
This demigod belonging to Greek mythology, is one of the best known in regard to this culture. He is known as a demigod, as he is the son of Zeus, who is considered to be the father of the gods and ruler of Olympus. His mother is the mortal Danae, who was an Argive princess, daughter of the king of Argos and Eurydice. Perseus also had Andromeda as his wife, who was a descendant of the mythical kings of Ethiopia Cepheus and Cassiopeia. Also, he was the father of 6 children.
Nacimiento
One of the most important aspects of the mythological figure of Perseus is related to his birth. Like any history of mythology, especially Greek, there are times when there are different views on this topic.
Of the best known versions, it is the one that refers to an oracle announcing to Acrisio, who was the king of Argos, that he was going to die at the hands of his grandson. Therefore, to prevent that fact, Acrisius gave the order that his daughter Danae be imprisoned in a space built of bronze. That way, she was not going to be able to have any closeness with a man.
At the time, Zeus became a golden shower and fell from the roof where Danae was, so that way she became pregnant.
Another version of the birth of Perseus
There is also a version that Ovid describes in the Metamorphosis, where he describes that Preto, who was Acrisio's brother, conquered Danae and thus had Perseus. When his father found out, it seemed to him that the birth of the child was not divine and he threw them into the sea next to a chest made of wood.
Poseidon, god of the seas, was commanded by Zeus to calm the sea. Danae and Perseus survived, reaching the edges of the Aegean Sea island of Serifos, in the western Cyclades. The island of Serifos was under the command of King Polidectes and his brother Dictis, who received the woman and her son, raising him as if he were his.
Medusa Intervention
One of the peculiarities of Greek mythology is that the stories are intertwined with each other, so other characters are also associated with the story of Perseus.
As time passed Polidectes was still completely in love with Danae. So, since Perseus was already young, Polydectes thought he would be a nuisance and wanted to get rid of him through a ruse. He told everyone that he would win the princess Hippodamia, daughter of Oenomaus, king of Pisa. So he asked those on the island to give him a gift to give to the princess.
However, Perseus mentioned that he would deliver any element, even if it was the head of Medusa, who turned those who looked into her eyes into stone and was one of the three Gorgons (female monsters). Learn more about the Gorgona.
Perseus and Medusa
In this way, Polidectes took as gifts the horses that those who were on the island gave him, although he did not receive those of Perseus. He ordered him to bring him Medusa's head, just as he had mentioned. Therefore, Perseus went on a quest, guided by the deities of Athena and Hermes, to locate the descendants of Phorcys (sea god). His daughters were the Graeas, pre-Olympic deities, who were sisters of the Gorgons.
The Grayas were 3 sisters who were born old and with gray hair, they also only had one eye and one tooth that they shared among all. But Perseus removed the eye and to return them, forced them to confess the place where the nymphs (less feminine deities), who were his sisters, lived.
In this way, Perseus got the nymphs, who would give him a bag with magic to be able to store the head without any danger. They also gave him winged sandals and the helmet of the god Hades, which made anyone who put it on become invisible.
Medusa's End
Hermes gave Perseus a reaper made of steel, so that he could cut off Medusa's head. While Athena gave him a shield with a lot of shine, similar to a mirror.
Once Perseus had all these elements, he went to where the Gorgons were, also daughters of Phorcys. When they were sleeping, he approached. To do this, Athena guided him, so he used the bronze shield as a mirror to be able to see Medusa, but avoiding looking at her directly.
Perseus cut off the head of Medusa, from which the winged horse Pegado and the giant Chrysaor were born. In fact, the immortal sisters of Medusa went in search of Perseus. But they couldn't because he was wearing Hades' helmet and was therefore invisible.
Atlas and Perseus
After obtaining the head of Medusa, this demigod went to the place where the young titan Atlas, also known as Atlantis, ruled. Requesting him to receive him to stay there.
But the titan remembered that an oracle told him that a son of Zeus was going to approach him and take away the fruits that were in the garden of the Hesperides (nymphs who took care of an incredible garden in the west). So he cast out Perseus, but he used Medusa's head and turned Atlas to stone.
Andromeda Rescue
Once Perseus arrived in Ethiopia, he located Andromeda who was chained to a rock. She was like this because her parents, who were the kings Cepheus and Cassiopeia, gave the order for Ceto to devour her, a female aquatic monster, sent by the deities since Cassiopeia said that she was the most beautiful of the Nereids (50 daughters of Nereus and Doris ).
So an oracle of Amun mentioned that they would be freed from the monster if Andromeda was offered as food. But Perseus fell in love with her and freed her from her, then asked her parents for her hand and killed the monster with his sword. Another version of the myth describes that she petrified an area of the monster when she showed him Medusa's head.
At the moment when this demigod was marrying Andromeda, Phineus, who was her paternal uncle and at the same time was her fiancé, approached. Therefore, a battle ensued, where Perseus killed several, but since he had very few in his group, he had to use Medusa's head so that Phineus would turn to stone along with those who were with him. Learn more about the mythological characters.
Revenge of Polydectes
Returning to Seriphos, Disctis and Danae were in a temple, having escaped the harassment of Polydectes. So Perseus went to where he and all his court was, pulled out the head of Medusa and petrified everyone who was there. He then caused Dictis to become the king of Seriphos, gave Hermes the winged sandals, the satchel and the helmet to Hades and the head of Medusa to Athena, who placed it on her shield.
prophecy fulfillment
Over time, this demigod returned to Argos, along with Danae and Andromeda. When Acrisio found out that his grandson was going to meet him, he went to the city of Larisa where some games were being held. Perseus went to where the games were held and decided to participate in the discus throw, but when he played he did so unluckily and ended up hitting Acrisius on the head, killing him. Thus, the prophecy was fulfilled.
Because of the accidental death of Acrisius, Perseus did not want to rule Argos. However, he exchanged kingdoms with his second uncle Megapentes, who was the cousin of Danae, king of Tiryns. Therefore, Perseus became the ruler of Tiryns and Megapentes of Argos.
When Perseus died, Athena, who had been his great guide, ascended him to heaven, transforming him into a constellation. Even the same thing happened with Andromeda and her parents.
Children of Perseus
This demigod had 5 children with his wife Andromeda, which were: Alceo, Heleo, Méstor, Esténelo and Electrion. He also had a daughter who was Gorgofone. In fact, one of his best-known sons in Greek mythology was Hercules.
As you may have noticed, Greek mythology is made up of a large number of characters who in turn were part of many events that were the ones that formed each of the myths that are known throughout history.
If you were interested in the information in this article, you may also be interested in knowing about the world myths and legends.