In previous articles, we discussed constellations and how to identify them. We talked about the reasons for their names, including their origins in mythology and history. In this article, we'll discuss a myth that gave rise to the name of a constellation: Perseus. We'll tell you the whole story behind this name and why it was chosen for a constellation. If you're interested in the history of the Perseus constellation, you'll find valuable and fascinating information in this account.
Are you curious and want to know the story of Perseus and Andromeda? Keep reading and you can discover it.
Origins
This story begins with Acrisius, king of Argos. He married Aganippe and had a daughter named Danaë. Having no sons (at that time, male heirs were considered the ones who inherited empires, hence the need for a male heir), Acrisius consulted an oracle to ask if he would have any children and if so, if it would be a son. The oracle replied that he would never have any more children. Upon hearing this, Acrisius was saddened, as he would have no choice but to let Danaë inherit the throne after his reign.
To make matters worse, it wasn't enough that he would have no children; the oracle had also told him that his grandson would kill him. How could Danaë's son judge him so harshly as to kill him? Surely it would be in revenge for the indifference shown to his daughter because she wasn't a son. Acrisius didn't stand idly by and imprisoned his daughter to prevent this disaster.
The cell where he imprisoned her had bronze bars and was guarded by wild dogs that wouldn't let her escape. Zeus was, at that time, the king of the gods who lived on Mount Olympus. To Acrisius's dismay, Zeus fell in love with Danaë, his daughter. As the king of the gods, no one could challenge his decisions, and he managed to free her from prison. He covered her in gold and made her bear a son named Perseus. This is how our protagonist was born. You can learn more about the constellation Perseus and its impact on astronomy, as well as the constellations that can be seen in autumn.
Perseus, the son of Zeus
Acrisio feared for his life because, not only would he not have more children, but his grandson Perseus would assassinate him according to the oracle. To prevent him from being murdered, he once again did his thing and secretly locked his daughter and grandson in a trunk and threw him into the sea. In this way, it was ensured that the currents of the raging seas and oceans would end the lives of these poor innocents.
This chest drifted until it reached the island of Seriphos, where a fisherman found it and rescued them both. The king of the island took them into his home, and they were able to recover from their ordeal. Contrary to what Acrisius had thought, mother and son prospered on the island because Polydectes , the king, fell in love with Danaë and, after some time, planned to marry her. You can learn more about Andromeda and her relationship with Perseus, as well as about the constellation Taurus.
Perseus mission
This king wanted to get rid of Danaë's son because he had no money and couldn't pretend to marry a poor woman. So he announced to the people that he intended to marry a rich woman and ordered everyone to bring gifts, which he would later give to his true bride. He sent Perseus on a suicide mission. The mission was to bring back the head of a Gorgon Medusa. These Medusas had the power to turn anyone who looked them in the eyes to stone. Therefore, it was practically a suicide mission.
On the other hand, Athena, goddess of wisdom and war, learned about the mission that had been entrusted to Perseus to bring the head of the Gorgon medusa and went to help him so that he would not perish in his life or death mission. She helped him because she was the enemy of Medusa and they would ally together to end her.
Athena helped him by giving him a shining shield with which to blind Medusa and with which he could distinguish between the immortal sisters. Unlike them, Perseus's target was mortal, and he could cut off her head to bring it back as a gift. She also gave him winged sandals with which he could fly to the Land of the Hyperboreans. It was there that the Gorgons resided and lay asleep. It was the perfect opportunity to attack. He fixed his eyes on the reflection in the shield as Athena guided his hand to cut off Medusa's head. With that, he was able to achieve his goal.
Andromeda and her sacrifice
Cassiopeia and her husband Cepheus lived in Philistia. She was so proud and arrogant that she decided she and her daughter, Andromeda, were more beautiful than the sea nymphs. The Nereids, daughters of Poseidon, were angered by such arrogance from a being of lesser status and chose to punish them by sending a monster that would destroy their people. The king and queen, seeing their people being destroyed, consulted the oracle and were told that the only hope for the people was to sacrifice Andromeda.
Andromeda was on a rock about to be sacrificed when Perseus, who was carrying Medusa's head, saw the monster and showed it the head to petrify it. In this way he was able to save her, and upon seeing each other, they fell instantly in love.
Finally, Perseus returned to his island to marry Andromeda and found his mother, who refused to marry Polydectes. She was in hiding, fleeing the king's men. To end it all, Perseus confronted the king and his army and turned them all to stone using the Gorgon's head. Then the Olympic Games were held, and during the discus throw, the projectile went astray and landed among the spectators. To everyone's surprise, the person he had killed was Acrisius, his own grandfather. Thus, the oracle's prophecy was fulfilled.
As you can see, the story of the Perseus constellation is fascinating. If you'd like to learn more about the best dates and locations to view shooting stars , there's plenty of interesting information to explore.
