Perseus
The legendary hero who slew the Gorgon Medusa and rescued Andromeda from a sea monster. Perseus founded the great city of Mycenae.
The Legend of Perseus
Son of Zeus and Danaë, Perseus was set adrift in a chest after his grandfather Acrisius, warned by Apollo's oracle at Delphi, tried to prevent the prophecy that Perseus would kill him. Poseidon calmed the seas, and they reached Seriphos. When King Polydectes demanded Medusa's head, Athena gave Perseus her mirrored shield, Hermes his winged sandals, and Hades the cap of invisibility. Perseus beheaded Medusa; from her blood sprang Pegasus. He rescued Andromeda from a sea-monster, returned to stone Polydectes, and accidentally killed Acrisius at a games. His line produced Heracles through Alcmene.
Parents
Zeus and Danae
Children
Perses, Alcaeus, Electryon
Symbols
Fun Fact
The Perseus constellation is one of the 48 constellations listed by the ancient astronomer Ptolemy.
Words We Inherited
English words and phrases that trace back to this myth. See our full guide to English words from Greek mythology.
Explore Further
Perseus
🗡 heroSlayer of Medusa, founder of Mycenae
Perseus was the demigod son of Zeus and Danaë who slew Medusa, rescued Andromeda, and founded the great city of Mycenae.
Perseus
🗡 heroHero who slew Medusa
The son of Zeus and Danae who beheaded Medusa, rescued Andromeda, and founded the Perseid dynasty of Mycenae.
Theseus
🗡 heroFounder-hero of Athens
Theseus was the great hero of Athens who slew the Minotaur, united Attica, and established Athenian democracy — Athens' answer to Heracles.
Theseus
🗡 heroSlayer of the Minotaur, king of Athens
The hero who navigated the Labyrinth, slew the Minotaur, and became the legendary king of Athens. Theseus was considered Athens's national hero.
Jason
🗡 heroLeader of the Argonauts
The hero who assembled the Argonauts and sailed to Colchis to retrieve the Golden Fleece, aided by Medea's sorcery.
Cepheus
🗡 heroNone recorded
King of Aethiopia who nearly sacrificed his daughter Andromeda to a sea monster
Phocus
🗡 heroAthletics, seal heritage
Son of Aeacus who was murdered by his half-brothers Peleus and Telamon out of jealousy
Cadmus
🗡 heroFounder of Thebes
Cadmus was the Phoenician prince who founded Thebes, sowed dragon's teeth, and brought the alphabet from Phoenicia to Greece.
Theseus
🗡 heroheroism
Athenian prince who entered the Cretan Labyrinth, killed the Minotaur with Ariadne's help, then abandoned her on Naxos.
Dictys
🗡 herokindness
Fisherman of Seriphos who rescued Danae and infant Perseus from the sea and raised the boy as his own.
Aleus
🗡 heroKingship, Arcadia
King of Tegea in Arcadia and founder of the great temple of Athena Alea
Tenes
🗡 heroPurity, Betrayal, Apollo
Prince of Colonae and first ruler of Tenedos, killed by Achilles despite his divine protection by Apollo.