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This exploration of the legendary hero Perseus delves into his miraculous birth, tumultuous upbringing, and iconic quests. From his fight against the Gorgon Medusa to rescuing Andromeda from a sea monster, Perseus embodies the warrior mentality characterized by valor and divine assistance. Encountering challenges set by powerful enemies and navigating the complexities of love and mortality, his journey highlights themes of courage, destiny, and the human struggle against fate. Discover the miraculous adventures that make Perseus one of mythology's greatest heroes.
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Mythic Heroes – ‘cluster’ specifications • Common Features of Legends • Miraculous birth, early threats • Disinheritance and/or powerful enemy • Quest(s) – impossible tasks requiring strength and courage • Helpers – often divine • Warrior mentality • Inability to manage women • Difficulty controlling passions • Egocentricity
Acrisius, King of Argos • Daughter was Danae • Oracle foretold that Danae’s son would kill Acrisius • So Acrisius hid her away in a Bronze (or Ivory) tower (or vault) • Zeus visited her as a shower of gold and she had a son, Perseus
Acrisius set Danae & child adrift locked in a wooden box • They come to shore on Seriphos • Are rescued by Dictys, a fisherman and brother of the King of Seriphos, Polydectes • Perseus boasted that he would bring the head of Medusa to the King
Perseus had help • Athena • 3 Graeae (with one eye and one tooth) – representatives of old age • Nymphs offered cap of Hades (invisibility) winged sandals, and leather pouch • Hermes offered a sword
In beheading Medusa • Pegasus & Chrysaor were created • Serpents of Africa from her blood
Perseus then travels home • By way of the West and encounters Atlas • By way of Ethiopia and encounters Andromeda, Cassiopeia, and Cepheus • Cassiopeia had angered the Nereids (nymphs of the sea, daughters of Nereus, old man of the sea) • Neptune sent floods as punishment • Andromeda was to be sacrificed to Ceto, sea monster, to save the people of Joppa
After the monster was slain… • Battle at the wedding with Phineus, uncle of Andromeda • Return to Seriphos – taking care of Polydectes, made Dictys king • Perseus and Andromeda returned to Argos • Acrisius killed accidently at athletic games when Perseus threw the discus • Descendant of Perseus - Hercules • Finally, heavenward…
Calliope tells story of Ceres, her daughter Proserpina, and Pluto’s abduction of Proserpina
Ascalaphus tattles on Proserpina’s eating in the underworld and becomes a screech-owl The companions who were with Proserpina when she was abducted become Sirens – half bird/half women and beautiful singers
Ceres teaches agricultural arts to Triptolemus, of Eleusis (near Athens), and he teaches mankind. Story of Lyncus, King of Scythians, who tried to kill Triptolemus. Ceres turned him into a Lynx.
Arethusa helps Ceres find herdaughter and later we learn her story…pursued by the water god Alpheus, assisted by Diana, she changed into an underground stream. He followed and mingled his waters with hers.