CLAS 430 Lecture Notes - Lecture 13: Sea Monster, Acrisius
Document Summary
Acrisus, king of argos, received a prophecy that his grandson will kill him. The king then imprisoned his daughter danae. Zeus visited danae in prison by transforming into a shower of gold. Acrisius case danae and perseus away in a box. They were rescued by a fisherman, brother of a local king named polydectes. He sends perseus on a quest to bring the head of a gorgon. Gorgons: whoever looks into their eyes is turned to stone: medusa is the most famous one, there were 3 gorgons in greek myth. 3 graeae directed perseus to helpful nymphs: gaenae: one tooth, one eyed women. They would share the same eye and tooth: perseus stole their eye and refused to give back until they gave him direction. The nymphs gave hi a cape of hades (for invisibility), winged sandals, polished shield, steel sword, and a leather pouch.
