Perseus

Ancient Greek Mythology, Religion, Art

« Back to Last Page | Photos: Mythology, Religion, Art of Greek Heroes »

Perseus was the son of a mortal woman (Danae, daughter of King Acrisius of Argos) and an immortal (Olympian god Zeus), a standard story for Greek heroes. Perseus was raised away from the court because Acrisius had been informed by an oracle that Danae's son would eventually kill him and he did everything in his power to either keep her childless or kill them both. He failed and Perseus grew to adulthood.

Perseus was sent on a quest to kill Medusa ("sovereign female wisdom"), one of the three Gorgons, by a suitor of his mother, King Polydectes. All three of the Gorgon sisters were monstrous, but only Medusa had the power to turn to stone anyone who looked at her. Fortunately for Perseus, he had the help of his half-sister Athena. It is believed by some that the beheading of Medusa was a mythical representation of a patriarchal society taking control over a matriarchal one. The figure of Medusa had been worshipped in Libya as a Serpent Goddess who symbolized wisdom and the cycles of nature.

Being half-mortal and half-immortal, the Greek heroes bridged the gap between the human world and the divine world in a number of ways, one of which was their ability to interact directly with the gods. It is also important to note that Perseus obtained assistance from Athena only after spending the night in her temple praying, thus reinforcing to people the central importance of the gods' temples as sites of religious communion.

With a special polished shield that would allow him to observe Medusa's reflection, rather than her face, Perseus travelled to the end of the world. There the hand of Athena guided his hand and he cut of Medusa's head, stuffed it in a bag, and returned home. Along the way he rescued the princess Andromeda, married her, and killed King Polydectes with the head of Medusa. Later he assumed the throne of Argos with Andromeda at his side, having accidentally killed King Acrisius of Argos at the games of Larissa.

The above image is a metope from Temple C in Silenus and was among first instances of early archaic Greek art ever found. They can be recognized as examples of archaic art by the block-like forms and undifferentiated features. Created around 550 BCE, this relief depicts Perseus slaying the Gorgon Medusa, with assistance from Athena (on the far left).

« Back to Last Page | Photos: Mythology, Religion, Art of Greek Heroes »