Persé

Persé, known in English as Perseus, is a hero of Greek mythology. In most tellings he is the son of Zeus and Danaë, a central figure in the Argive cycle of myths. According to prophecy, Acrisius, king of Argos, would be killed by his grandson, so he imprisons Danaë. Zeus visits Danaë in the form of golden rain, and Persé is conceived and born. When Acrisius learns of the child, he casts Danaë and the infant into a chest and sets them adrift at sea. They are rescued by Dictys, a fisherman on the island of Seriphus, where Persé grows up.

To obtain Medusa's head, Persé uses gifts provided by the gods. Hermes lends him a sword and winged sandals; Athena lends a polished shield; the Graeae direct him to the nymphs who guard the winged sandals, helmet of invisibility, and a kibisis—an wallet to safely carry Medusa's head. With care he approaches Medusa while she sleeps; he avoids her gaze by viewing her reflection in the shield and beheads her. He places the head in the kibisis.

On the return voyage, Persé rescues Andromeda, chained to a rock to appease a sea monster. He slays the monster and marries Andromeda. Upon his eventual return, the prophecy is fulfilled when a stray discus from Persé mortally wounds Acrisius during athletic games, ending the king's line. Various versions vary on the city ruled by Persé and the details of his descendants.

Persé appears in numerous ancient and later works, including vases, plays, and modern adaptations, making him one of the most enduring figures of Greek myth.