Perseus

Greek mythology · heroes · monsters

Son of Zeus. Perseus was half-god and half-human because his father was the king of the gods, Zeus, and his mother was a mortal woman named Danaë.

Defeated Medusa. Perseus beheaded the Gorgon Medusa, a monster with snakes for hair whose gaze turned people to stone. He used her reflection in his shield to avoid looking directly at her.

Rescued Andromeda. Perseus saved a princess named Andromeda from being eaten by Cetus, a fearsome sea monster, and they married and had children together.

Founded a dynasty. Perseus became the legendary founder of the Perseid dynasty, making him one of the greatest heroes in Greek mythology alongside Cadmus and Bellerophon.

Monster slayer. Perseus lived before the time of Heracles and was known for hunting down and defeating dangerous monsters rather than fighting wars.