He locked up Danae in a bronze chamber. Most authors assert that Perseus was able to behead Medusa with a reflective bronze shield that Athena gave to him while the Gorgon slept. I intend to use this book (amongst others) when teaching myths & legends to year 3 primary children - to compare the many ways in which stories can be told and passed on from one generation to the next. Perseus chopped off Medusa’s head with Hermes’ magical sword and put it in the magical bag. With Athena’s (or Poseidon’s) help, another Greek hero, Bellerophon, captured Pegasus and rode him first in his fight with the Chimera and later while he was taking vengeance on … King Polydectes tricks Perseus into promising to bring back the head of Medusa, one of the dreaded Gorgons. Inside Medusa’s cave, Perseus came across Medusa and her sisters sleeping. Long before Medusa faced off with Perseus, there was Poseidon. He put it in the saddlebag he carried and, thanks to it, he was able to face monsters and enemies. The World is rich in myths, folktales and legends.For example almost every town, city and village in Britain has its own special story, be it a Celtic legend, Dark … The myths say that Perseus eventually returned to Argos with Danae and Andromeda. Acrisius threw Danae and Perseus into the sea in a wooden chest. The king, sensing that Perseus was an obstacle to pursuing Danae, sends him on the impossible mission to bring back the head of Medusa. Polydectes held Perseus to his reckless promise and demanded the head of the only mortal Gorgon, Medusa, whose gaze turned people to stone. Kepheus’ brother Phineus, who was previously engaged to Andromeda, conspired against Perseus, but Perseus learned of the plot, and by displaying the Gorgo [Medusa’s head] to Phineus and his colleagues in the conspiracy, turned them instantly to stone. Adapted from The Myths and Legends of Ancient Greece and Rome by E. M. Berens, Perseus, one of the most famous of the legendary heroes of ancient times, was the son of Zeus and Danae, daughter of Acrisius, king of Argos. Perseus promptly severed Medusa’s head and … Due to the stare of Medusa who turned all who looked at her to stone, Perseus guided himself by the reflection in a shield given him by Athena and Medusa as she slept. Acrisius feared the child, but wanted to avoid Zeus’ wrath, so instead of killing Perseus, he sent the baby and Danae out to sea in a wooden chest. Perseus was the son of Zeus and Danae. After slaying Medusa, Perseus saved the princess Andromeda from a sea monster. The full myth of Perseus and Medusa begins years before they battled. But did you know that he was born of a virgin mother, married an Ethiopian princess, and committed parricide? The remaining two Gorgons tried to pursue Perseus, but his helmet made him invisible. Perseus is one of the greatest heroes of Greek Mythology. Welcome to Myths and Legends. It is an impossible task that will almost certainly get Perseus killed. Perseus and Medusa. Written by GreekBoston.com in Greek Mythology Comments Off on Greek Mythological Story of Perseus and Andromeda. When Perseus was grown up Polydectes sent him to attempt the conquest of Medusa, a terrible monster who had laid waste the country. Ideal for less committed or lower ability readers. Danae’s father, Acrisius, King of Argos was told that he would be murdered by Danae’s son. A concise, stylised and dynamic version of the Perseus and Medusa myth. Perseus is also said to … Surprisingly, and in spite of everything, her head didn’t lose its power whatsoever. Athena and Hermes, both of whom had accompanied Perseus to the cave, identified Medusa to Perseus. In the principle myth, Medusa is killed by the Greek hero Perseus, the son of Danae and Zeus. The myth of Medusa and Perseus says that, since then, the young hero used Medusa’s head to defeat his enemies. The Story of Perseus, Retold Perseus is best known for his conquest of Medusa. This site is for pupils, teachers and all those who enjoy stories and storytelling. In the discus throw, he hurled the heavy object through the air. Perseus, with the aid of divine gifts, found the Gorgons' cave and slayed Medusa by beheading her. He was the son of mighty Zeus and mortal Danae. To accomplish this, Athena advised him to find the Hesperide Nymphs, who only the Grææ knew where they lived. He is best known as the slayer of the Gorgon Medusa, a fearsome monster, and as the rescuer of the Ethiopian princess Andromeda. The myth of Medusa and Perseus, a beautiful story. Perseus was a hero who is said to have founded Mycenae and who eventually bested the monster, Medusa. Summary Perseus, in Greek Mythology, the slayer of the Gorgon Medusa and the rescuer of Andromeda from a sea monster. King Acrisius had gone to Larissa in Greece, probably to avoid Perseus. When you have finished reading the poem, please scroll down a little further to read some comments on the myth. The Myth of Perseus and Medusa A Paul Perro poem However, Zeus turned into a gold shower and got Danae pregnant. The Gorgons lived at the ocean, and Medusa caught Poseidon’s attention. He is probably remembered best for killing the dreadful Medusa, the Gorgon who could turn men into stones, and whose hair was made of live hissing snakes. There are various versions of the story, but depending on which one you pick up, either Medusa seduced Poseidon or he was smitten with her and took her.. Medusa and Perseus . Finally, Perseus would be rid of Medusa’s head when he presented it as a gift to the God Athena. At the beheading of Medusa, Pegasus and Chrysaor (Poseidon's and her children) sprang from her severed neck. 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