Perseus was a hero in ancient Greek mythology. He was famous for killing the Gorgon Medusa, who was a monster with hair of snakes and wings of leather. His story was a favorite in ancient Greece. OriginAccording to legend, Perseus was the son of Zeus, the chief god. His mother was Princess Danaë, the beautiful daughter of Acrisius, king of Argos. Acrisius sent away Danaë and her son because he had heard a prediction that one day Perseus would kill him. The legend of Perseus and MedusaDanaë raised Perseus on a faraway island. The king of the island fell in love with Danaë. But he wanted nothing to do with Perseus, so he made a plan to get rid of him. A banquetThe island king invited Perseus to a grand banquet. When each guest presented a gift to the king, Perseus felt ashamed. A poor fisherman, he had brought no gift. Then he did exactly what the king hoped. Perseus declared he would return with the greatest gift of all—the head of the evil monster Medusa. Anyone who dared look at her turned to stone. The cruel king believed he would never see Perseus again. The questIn his quest to kill Medusa, Perseus received help from the gods. Hermes, the messenger god, guided him on his journey and gave him a magic sword. Athena, the goddess of wisdom, gave Perseus a bronze shield. Nymphs (fairies) gave him winged sandals, a helmet that made him invisible, and a magic bag that became the size of whatever was carried in it. Perseus quickly went to the island where the Gorgons lived. He attacked Medusa while wearing the helmet that made him invisible. He also was careful not to look right at her. Instead, he looked only at her reflection in the polished shield. With one stroke of his sword he cut off Medusa's head. Putting it into the bag, he began his return journey. RevengeWhen Perseus returned home, he found his house empty. He learned that his mother Danaë had refused to marry the island king and fled in fear of her life. Perseus went to the king's palace. Entering the banquet hall, he reached into his bag and pulled out Medusa's head. The king and his men looked directly at it and were instantly turned to stone. Perseus freed the island from the evil king. He then found Danaë's hiding place and told her she was safe. Other stories about PerseusLater, the heroic Perseus entered an athletic competition. In the discus throw, he hurled the heavy object through the air. But the discus swerved and landed among the spectators, accidentally killing King Acrisius. The prediction that Perseus would kill King Acrisius had come true. Perseus eventually gave the head of Medusa to Athena, who put it on Zeus's magical shield. After his death, Perseus was taken up to the sky by Zeus and made into a constellation. |