Perseus And The Gorgon

not for sale

Though he was a son of Zeus and born in Argos, the circumstances of Perseus’ early life brought him to the island of Seriphos, where he and his mother Danae were taken in by the fisherman Dictys. When Perseus was a young man, his mother caught the eye of Polydectes, the King of Seriphos. Polydectes hounded her with marriage proposals, but found himself rebuffed by Perseus. Seeking to rid himself of this obstacle, Polydectes feigned that he would seek the hand of Hippodamia of Pisa, and would therefore tax the islanders a horse, to present a herd as a bridal gift. When he was asked, Perseus stated he had no horse to give, but he would be happy to fetch anything else for the king. His opponent having walked right into hit trap, Polydectes requested the head of the gorgon Medusa. With the aid of the Gods, and after many tribulations, Perseus found Medusa sleeping, and swiftly beheaded her. Believing he had sent Perseus to his doom, Polydectes was indeed surprised to see him return, and more surprised still when Perseus showed him the face of the gorgon, his shocked gasp set in stone.