Acrisius
heroKing of Argos who imprisoned his daughter Danae and was killed by his grandson Perseus with a discus, fulfilling the oracle he tried to escape.
The Myth
He locked his daughter in a bronze tower to prevent a prophecy — and Zeus entered as a shower of gold. An oracle told Acrisius that his daughter's son would kill him. He imprisoned Danae in an underground bronze chamber. Zeus entered as golden rain and fathered Perseus. When Acrisius discovered the baby, he set Danae and Perseus adrift in a wooden chest. They survived. Years later, at athletic games in Thessaly, Perseus threw a discus that was caught by the wind and struck Acrisius in the head, killing him instantly. The prophecy fulfilled itself through pure accident — Perseus did not even know his grandfather was in the crowd. No amount of bronze or exile can outrun fate.
Parents
Abas
Children
Danae
Symbols
Fun Fact
The discus that killed Acrisius was caught by the wind — fate used a random gust to fulfill prophecy.
Explore Further
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