Perseus
Perseus was the demigod son of Zeus and Danaë who slew Medusa, rescued Andromeda, and founded the great city of Mycenae.
The Legend of Perseus
Set adrift in a chest with his mother Danaë by King Acrisius, Perseus was raised on Seriphos by the fisherman Dictys. When the tyrant Polydectes sent him on an impossible quest, Athena and Hermes equipped him to slay Medusa — shield, sword, winged sandals, and the cap of Hades. He found the Gorgons, beheaded Medusa in her sleep, and from her blood Pegasus was born. Flying homeward, he saw Andromeda chained to a cliff as sacrifice to Poseidon's monster and saved her. He turned Polydectes to stone, fulfilled Apollo's prophecy by accidentally killing Acrisius, and founded Mycenae. Through Alcmene, his bloodline produced Heracles.
Parents
Zeus and Danaë
Children
Perses, Alcaeus, Electryon, and others
Symbols
Fun Fact
Perseus is one of the few Greek heroes with a genuinely happy ending — he founded a dynasty and was placed among the stars with his wife.
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
The legendary hero who slew the Gorgon Medusa and rescued Andromeda from a sea monster. Perseus 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.
Cadmus
🗡 heroFounder of Thebes
Cadmus was the Phoenician prince who founded Thebes, sowed dragon's teeth, and brought the alphabet from Phoenicia to Greece.
Aleus
🗡 heroKingship, Arcadia
King of Tegea in Arcadia and founder of the great temple of Athena Alea
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.
Theseus
🗡 heroFounder-hero of Athenian democracy
The hero who killed the Minotaur and later united Attica under Athens, becoming the mythological founder of Athenian democracy.
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.
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.
Heracles
🗡 heroGreatest of the Greek heroes, demigod of strength
The greatest hero of Greek mythology, son of Zeus and the mortal Alcmene. Famous for his extraordinary strength and his Twelve Labors.
Tlepolemos
🗡 heroRhodian leadership, Heracles heritage
Son of Heracles who led the Rhodian contingent at Troy and was killed by Sarpedon
Alcathous
🗡 heroCity Foundation, Athletic Victory
Son of Pelops who rebuilt the walls of Megara and won the throne by slaying the Cithaeronian lion.
Amyclas
🗡 heroKingship, Laconia
Legendary king of Sparta and founder of the ancient city of Amyclae near Sparta