Perseus

1
Perseus

• A Concise Synopsis of Chapter 9
• by
• Dunkins
• (actually, its 22 slidessorry guys)

2
A Great Hero Before the Trojan War

• King Acrisius of Argos had daughter, Danaë
• Her beauty no comfort for not having son
• King went to Delphi to ask the god for hope of
  having a son

• Priestess said no
• His daughter would bear a son that would be the
  end of him
• To save his own life would have to kill Danaë
• King could not
• Loved her
• Feared gods punishment for killing kin

3
A Great Hero Before the Trojan War

• The King had plan to sink house of bronze that
  would imprison Danaë
• Zeus came down in golden rain into house
• Danaë was pregnant w/ Zeus child, Perseus,
  kept this from dad

4
Perseus

• King found out about grandson, Perseus
• King put Danaë Perseus left them in chest at
  sea
• Danaë Perseus washed onto shore, still in the
  chest

• Were found by fisherman, Dictys who took them to
  his home
• Perseus grew up following Dictys in his trade

5
Perseus

• Dictys had evil brother, Polydectes, who ruled
  island took a liking to Danaë, but not Perseus
• Polydectes wanted Perseus gone

6
Perseus

• Polydectes declared would marry invited friends
  including Perseus
• Perseus announced would bring greatest gift for
  bride-to-be
• Gift he said he would bring was the head of
  Medusa, a gorgon

7
Medusa the Gorgon

• Gorgons
• most fearsome monsters on island
• Mortals that looked upon a gorgon were turned
  into stone
• Perseus knew he couldnt kill Medusa alone

8
Perseus Journey

• Perseus left after party, w/o seeing his mom,
  went to find priestess
• Was led to Dodona, to see the Selli, who told
  him that gods protected him, but not where the
  gorgons were

• Perseus was upset continued on journey
• Along the way Perseus met young man wearing
  winged hat winged sandals w/ a golden wand w/
  wings (Hermes, the guide and giver of good)

9
Perseus Journey

• Hermes helped Perseus find Gray Women who knew
  where nymphs of the North were so he could be
  properly equipped to defeat Medusa

• Gray Women lived in area w/o sunlight so old and
  gray
• Women were blind shared only one eye among the
  three of them

10
Perseus Journey

• Perseus Hermes devised plan to snatch eye from
  women force them to tell location of nymphs of
  the North
• Perseus waited till they were in mid-exchange
  then captured eye demanded to know location

• Hermes gave Perseus sword that wouldnt break on
  tough gorgon scales
• Pallas Athena gave Perseus shield of pure bronze
  told him to never look directly at Medusa but
  use the shield

11
Perseus Journey

• Hermes led Perseus to Gray Women
• Perseus proceeded w/plan
• Women told nymphs location to regain eye

• Hermes led Perseus, using Womens directions, to
  where the nymphs lived

12
Perseus Journey

• Perseus on his way to the country of Hyperborean
  thanks to Hermes
• Host showered Perseus w/ great gift of kindness
  of music, dancing, and a grand feast

• Dancing maidens gave Perseus 3 gifts
• winged sandals
• magic wallet that adjusted to any size according
  to object it carried
• cap to make him invisible
• W/ shield and sword, Perseus was ready for Hermes
  to take him to the gorgons

13
Perseus Journey

• Hermes led Perseus to Terrible Sisters island
  where 3 sisters slept
• Athena Hermes were beside Perseus pointed out
  which was Medusa
• Medusa was only one of the 3 not immortal

• Used shield as mirror, Perseus aimed w/
  Athenas help cut through the scaly neck of
  Medusa

14
Perseus Journey

• Perseus placed her head into wallet, not looking
  at it
• 2 sisters woke up saw Medusa dead
• They couldnt see Perseus b/c of invisibility cap

• Perseus flew away on winged sandals to Ethiopia
• Perseus found out about young maiden destined to
  be devoured by sea serpent
• Maidens name - Andromeda

15
Andromeda

• Queen Cassiopeia said daughter was more beautiful
  than daughter of Sea-god, Nereus
• Gods take out anger on children, hence Andromeda
  punished

16
Andromeda

• Ethiopians were being eaten by sea serpent only
  thing to stop it was sacrifice of Andromeda
• Father, Cepheus, agreed
• Perseus saw beautiful maiden chained to rock
  cliff he fell in love w/ her

17
Andromeda

• Perseus waited w/ Andromeda at cliff to save her
  from serpent
• Sea serpent came
• Perseus cut off its head saved Andromeda
• Perseus asked King Queen for Andromedas hand
  in marriage

• Parents agreed
• Perseus Andromeda married

18
Perseus Comes Home

• Perseus Andromeda sailed to island mom
• House was empty b/c Dictys wife died Ps mom
  Dictys had gone into hiding
• Were hiding from Polydectes b/c he was angry that
  Danaë said no to marriage

• Perseus was told that they had taken refuge in a
  Temple

19
Perseus Comes Home

• Before any could look away, Perseus pulled out
  head of Medusa turned them all into stone

• Polydectes has banquet w/ closest friends _at_
  palace
• Perseus walked through door w/ wallet in hand
  saw chance to attract their attention
• Perseus showed them his magnificent gift

20
Perseus Comes Home

• Perseus killed tyrant so Danaë Dictys could
  return home
• Dictys would now be king of island
• Perseus, his mom, Andromeda returned to Greece
  in search of Acrisius

• Acrisius had been driven from city his location
  was not known
• Perseus Danaë were sad b/c they hoped to
  resolve family issues

21
Perseus Fulfills Destiny

• Perseus heard about athletic tournament held by
  King of Larissa
• Perseus participated in the discus when he
  hurled it, it soared into air where people stood

• Acrisius was watching that day waiting to talk to
  the King
• Discus hit him in head killed him
• Prediction came true

22
And They Lived Happily Ever After

• After death of Acrisius, Perseus family issues
  disappeared
• Perseus Andromeda had son, Electryon
• Electryon was grandfather of Hercules

• Medusas head was given to Athena
• She put it on Zeus shield she carried for him