History of Perseus

	Revision 5 . . (edit) December 2, 2001 4:55 am by (logged).188.192.xxx
	Revision 4 . . (edit) September 24, 2001 4:20 pm by (logged).37.36.xxx [*minor spelling changes]
	Revision 2 . . (edit) March 7, 2001 8:48 am by TimShell

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In Greek Mythology, legendary founder of Mycenae? who slew the gorgon Medusa?. Also, a Constellation named after him: see /Constellation?.

In Greek Mythology, Perseus was the legendary founder of Mycenae? who slew the gorgon Medusa?.

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Perseus was the son of Danae, the only child of Acrisius? king of Argos?. He was disappointed as to his lack of male heirs and enquired an oracle as to whether this would change. Instead of the tidings he hoped for, he received the news that one day he would be killed by his daughter's child. As she was yet childless, he shut her up in a brazen chamber, but Zeus came to her in the form of rain and Perseus was born.

In astronomy, Perseus is a constellation. This article deals first with the legendary hero, then with the constellation.

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None to happy, but not willing to provoke the wrath of the gods by killing his offspring, Acrisius cast the two into the sea in a wooden chest. They washed ashore on the island of Seriphos?, where they were taken in by Dictys, the brother of king Polydectes, who raised the boy to manhood. Now after a time Polydectes fell in love with Danae, and so wanted to get Perseus out of the picture. He thereby hatched a plot to send him on a suicide mission.

1). Perseus was the son of Danae, the only child of Acrisius? king of Argos?. Disappointed by his lack of male heirs, he asked an oracle if this would change. The Oracle told him that one day he would be killed by his daughter's child. She was childless and, meaning to keep her so, he shut her up in a brazen chamber. But Zeus came to her in the form of rain, and impregnated her. Soon after, their child Perseus was born. None too happy, but unwilling to provoke the wrath of the gods by killing his offspring, Acrisius cast the two into the sea in a wooden chest. They washed ashore on the island of Seriphos?, where they were taken in by Dictys, the brother of king Polydectes, who raised the boy to manhood. Now after a time Polydectes fell in love with Danae, and so wanted to get Perseus out of the picture. He thereby hatched a plot to send him on a suicide mission.

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Perseus then returned his tools and gave Medusa's had as a gift to Athena. He started for Argos, but learning of the oracle instead went to Larissa, where athletic games were being held. By chance Acrisius was there, and Perseus accidentally struck him with his javelin, fulfilling the oracle. To shamed to return to Argos he then gave the kingdom to Megapenthes? son of Proetus? (Acrisius' brother) and took over his kingdom of Tyrins, also founding Mycenae and Midea there.

Perseus then returned his tools and gave Medusa's head as a gift to Athena. He started for Argos, but learning of the oracle instead went to Larissa, where athletic games were being held. By chance Acrisius was there, and Perseus accidentally struck him with his javelin, fulfilling the oracle. Too shamed to return to Argos he then gave the kingdom to Megapenthes? son of Proetus? (Acrisius' brother) and took over his kingdom of Tyrins, also founding Mycenae and Midea there.

Added: 15a19,21

2). Perseus is a northern constellation, representing the legendary slayer of Medusa. It is one of the 88 modern constellations, and was also one of the 48 listed by Ptolemy. It contains the famous variable star Algol (β Per), and is also the location of the radiant of the annual Perseid meteor? shower.