Perseus
Acrisius was king in Argos. It was once foretold that he would be killed
by the son of his daughter, Danaë. Thereupon he shut up his daughter and
her son, Perseus by name, in a chest and threw it into a raging flood.
The gods pitied the innocent ones and directed it to the island of
Seriphus.
The kings of the island, Dictys and Polydectes, were one day drawing a
net from the sea. Great was their astonishment when they found a chest
in the net and heard sorrowful moanings in its interior. They opened it
and the noble Danaë stepped out with her beautiful son. Dictys took them
home with him and cared for them as if they had been his own brother and
sister.
When Perseus reached his young manhood, he surpassed everyone in skill
and dexterity in martial sports. Polydectes conceived evil designs
against the innocent Danaë, and as he feared Perseus he decided to send
him out of the country. He soon found the opportunity. He gave a banquet
to the leading men of the island, at which he announced that he was
going to take a wife. He also required each one of them to procure a
beautiful horse for a wedding gift. In his youthful presumptuousness
Perseus said: "Whatever you wish I promise to do. Even should you
request the head of the Gorgon, I would procure it for you."
The king replied: "Bring me the Gorgon's head, but know this: If you do
not keep your word, your mother Danaë shall make compensation."
Troubled in mind, Perseus went to the seashore and confided his fears to
the waves. Hermes, the divine messenger, at once appeared and promised
his assistance. He conducted him to the house of Night in the extreme
limits of the earth, where there is neither the golden light of the sun
nor the mild lustre of the moon. The daughters of Phorcus, the monster,
who were gray at birth, dwelt in that fearful darkness. They had but one
eye and one tooth, common to them all. The fearless Perseus snatched
from them both eye and tooth. They raised a frightful clamor and
implored the youth to restore them. "It shall be done," said Perseus,
"if you will show me the way to the nymphs." They did so, and he
returned them.
From the nymphs he received the cloak of Pluto, the winged shoes of
Mercury, and the shield of Minerva. He donned the cloak which rendered
him invisible, and fastened the winged shoes to his feet. Hermes gave
him a sword. Then he rose in the air with his winged feet and in a trice
reached Oceanus. There dwelt the sisters, the terrible Gorgons, whose
heads were covered with snakes. The chill of death struck those who
looked upon them, their breath left them, and they turned to stone. The
monsters slept with their faces turned downwards.
As Perseus courageously approached with his drawn sword, Hermes and
Athene suddenly stood at his side, instructing him how to begin so as to
keep his word. "Advance so you do not see the faces," said they, "lest
they turn you to stone. Draw your sword only against the middle one of
the Gorgons, the Medusa, for she alone is mortal. When you have
recognized her, raise this gleaming shield in which her face will be
mirrored."
After these words, the immortals left the youth. Approaching nearer, he
saw the figure of the Gorgon on his shield. He raised his sword and
struck off her head. He then seized it by the snaky hair, fastened it to
his shield, and hurried away. The two living Gorgons awoke and swept the
air with their wings, but could not catch the youth, as the cloak of
Pluto hid him from their sight.
On his way back, Perseus came to Ethiopia. The people there were in
great trouble, for a dreadful calamity had happened to them. The water
of the sea was in flood and had brought with it a monster which devoured
men and animals. The oracle was consulted and gave this answer: "Only
when Andromeda, the king's daughter, is given to the sea monster for
food will the flood abate." Although the noble maiden was greatly
beloved, there was a universal demand to offer her up and save the
country. Andromeda was thereupon taken to a rock and securely bound to
it.
Flying through the air, Perseus saw the maiden. He immediately descended
and ascertained her fate. Then he hastened to the king and asked him if
he would give his daughter to him for wife if he freed the country from
the monster. The king promised that he would.
Perseus betook himself to the shore and awaited the appearance of the
monster. It soon emerged from the water and made for the rocks to devour
the maiden. Perseus attacked and killed it after a hard fight. The waves
of the sea at once receded and the country was freed from the pest. The
king gave the victor his daughter for wife and a great festival was held
in his honor.
After some time had elapsed, Perseus bethought himself of the promise he
had made King Polydectes to bring him the Gorgon's head, and therefore
made his way with his wife to the island of Seriphus, where Polydectes
ruled in common with his brother.
How astonished Polydectes was when he saw the hero returning whose death
he had wished! Perseus held the head of Medusa before the king. The
sight of it turned him to stone instantly. When Polydectes had thus been
punished, Perseus gave the Medusa's head to Athene, who fastened it in
the middle of her breastplate. The shield, cloak, and shoes he gave to
Hermes, who returned them to the nymphs.
Perseus now went back to Argos, his homeland. When Acrisius heard he was
approaching the castle, he fled to the Pelasgians. Perseus followed him
and found him there. He implored him to return with him to Argos and
promised that he would do him no harm. This reassured Acrisius and he
agreed to follow him.
On the day fixed for their departure a contest was arranged by the
Pelasgians in which Perseus took part. He engaged in disk throwing and
Perseus struck his grandfather upon the foot with the disk, which led to
his illness and death. Thus the prophecy was fulfilled.
Perseus lived long and happily with his wife Andromeda, who bore him six
sons and two daughters.