Perseus: Difference between revisions
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Eventually Perseus settled down to rule [[Mycenae]] with Andromeda, producing seven sons and two daughters, called the [[Perseids]].<ref name="A Treasury of Legends" /> | Eventually Perseus settled down to rule [[Mycenae]] with Andromeda, producing seven sons and two daughters, called the [[Perseids]].<ref name="A Treasury of Legends" /> | ||
At some point, Perseus buried the [[Buried Head of Medusa|head]] of Medusa, and it was later discovered in a mound of earth near Argos' agora.<ref | At some point, Perseus buried the [[Buried Head of Medusa|head]] of Medusa, and it was later discovered in a mound of earth near Argos' agora.<ref>''Assassin's Creed: Odyssey'' – [[Historical Locations]] / [[Historical Locations#Argolis|Argolis]]: Buried Head of Medusa</ref> | ||
===Simulation=== | ===Simulation=== | ||
| Line 37: | Line 37: | ||
==Equipment and skills== | ==Equipment and skills== | ||
Perseus had several types of technology [[Isu]] like the sandals of [[Hermes Trismegistus]], which he runs at superhuman speeds and the helmet of [[Hades]], which made him invisible to the eyes of the enemy. He also demonstrated in the simulation of [[Hades (place)|Hades]] a great resistance to physical attacks, resisting even the most severe attacks of [[Kassandra]]. He could also invoke bursts of energy from above the air while levitating. | Perseus had several types of technology [[Isu]] like the sandals of [[Hermes Trismegistus]], which he runs at superhuman speeds and the helmet of [[Hades]], which made him invisible to the eyes of the enemy. He also demonstrated in the simulation of [[Hades (place)|Hades]] a great resistance to physical attacks, resisting even the most severe attacks of [[Kassandra]]. He could also invoke bursts of energy from above the air while levitating. | ||
==Legacy and influence== | ==Legacy and influence== | ||
===Classical antiquity=== | ===Classical antiquity=== | ||
The stories of Perseus' adventures lived long past his own time, as did relics claimed to have belonged to Perseus. In the 5th century BCE there was a [[Perseus Crown|crown]] which was alleged to have been his, as well as a [[Harpe of Perseus|sword]]. Both of these were eventually found by the '' | The stories of Perseus' adventures lived long past his own time, as did relics claimed to have belonged to Perseus. In the 5th century BCE there was a [[Perseus Crown|crown]] which was alleged to have been his, as well as a [[Harpe of Perseus|sword]]. Both of these were eventually found by the Spartan ''misthios'' Kassandra during the [[Peloponnesian War]].<ref>''Assassin's Creed: Odyssey''</ref> | ||
In the [[Temple of Dionysos Kolonatas]], in Sparta, [[Lakonia]], a number of the relics linked to Perseus were housed. These included the sickle of Hermes, the Gorgon shield, a fishnet, wooden debris from the crate Perseus and Danae were shut in, and the discus. Kassandra was also tasked by [[Damia]] to tell the tale to her children [[Danae (Spartan)|Danae]] and [[Kristos]].<ref name="A Treasury of Legends" /> | In the [[Temple of Dionysos Kolonatas]], in Sparta, [[Lakonia]], a number of the relics linked to Perseus were housed. These included the sickle of Hermes, the Gorgon shield, a fishnet, wooden debris from the crate Perseus and Danae were shut in, and the discus. Kassandra was also tasked by [[Damia]] to tell the tale to her children [[Danae (Spartan)|Danae]] and [[Kristos]].<ref name="A Treasury of Legends" /> | ||
Revision as of 11:47, 19 September 2019
Perseus was the legendary founder of Mycenae and the Perseid dynasty, revered by the Greeks as one of their greatest heroes, before Herakles. He was notably famed for the slaying of Medusa.
He was the son of Danae and the grandson of King Akrisios of Argos.
Biography
Birth and early life
Perseus was born as a result of King Akrisios trying to prevent a prophecy that foretold he would be slain by his own grandson. Akrisios locked Danae, his only child, in a room of bronze, but this did not hinder the god Zeus, who visited Danae in the form of golden rain.[1]
When Perseus was born, Akrisios shut him and his mother in a wooden crate and had them cast into the sea. Instead of dying, the two were saved by the fisherman Diktys. He took them under his wing, raising Perseus on the island of Seriphos. He taught Perseus to fish, hunt, and ride.[1]
Hunting Medusa
The island was ruled by Diktys' brother, Polydektes. He wanted to marry Danae, but Perseus was opposed to this. In response, Polydektes ordered Perseus to slay the gorgon Medusa, and bring her head to him.[1]
To aid Perseus in this quest, Zeus ordered the messenger of gods Hermes to give Perseus a shining sickle,[2] as well as winged sandals, and the goddess Athena to give him a mirror-bright shield. Equipped with these Perseus was able to engage and defeat the gorgon without falling prey to her petrifying gaze. Following her death, the Pegasos sprung forth, and he accompanied Perseus on his way home.[1]
During their journey, they came upon the maiden Andromeda, a princess of Aithopia chained to the cliffs as a sacrifice to the sea monster Ketos. Perseus saved the maiden, and married her.[1]
King of Mycenae
Perseus returned to Seriphos and showed King Polydektes the gorgon's head, turning the king into stone. Afterwards, he traveled Argos, where he participated in Olympic Games. He hurled the discus, which flew so that it struck the spectating King Akrisios, fulfilling the Oracle's prophecy.[1]
Eventually Perseus settled down to rule Mycenae with Andromeda, producing seven sons and two daughters, called the Perseids.[1]
At some point, Perseus buried the head of Medusa, and it was later discovered in a mound of earth near Argos' agora.[3]
Simulation
Perseus was one of the four champions Hades tasked the Spartan misthios Kassandra to replace Cerberos as a guardian of Hades at the Gate of the Slayer.[4]
Equipment and skills
Perseus had several types of technology Isu like the sandals of Hermes Trismegistus, which he runs at superhuman speeds and the helmet of Hades, which made him invisible to the eyes of the enemy. He also demonstrated in the simulation of Hades a great resistance to physical attacks, resisting even the most severe attacks of Kassandra. He could also invoke bursts of energy from above the air while levitating.
Legacy and influence
Classical antiquity
The stories of Perseus' adventures lived long past his own time, as did relics claimed to have belonged to Perseus. In the 5th century BCE there was a crown which was alleged to have been his, as well as a sword. Both of these were eventually found by the Spartan misthios Kassandra during the Peloponnesian War.[5]
In the Temple of Dionysos Kolonatas, in Sparta, Lakonia, a number of the relics linked to Perseus were housed. These included the sickle of Hermes, the Gorgon shield, a fishnet, wooden debris from the crate Perseus and Danae were shut in, and the discus. Kassandra was also tasked by Damia to tell the tale to her children Danae and Kristos.[1]
During the 1st century BCE, a sword modeled after the harpe which belonged to Perseus was obtained by the Medjay Bayek of Siwa.[6]
Modern times
In 2012, Clay Kaczmarek included Perseus in a set of puzzles he'd hidden within the Animus for his follower to find. In Clay's puzzles it was suggested that the 'shining sickle' Perseus wielded was actually a Sword of Eden.[2]
Trivia
- The mural depicting Perseus and Medusa in Assassin's Creed: Odyssey is based on a painting on a hydria from the 6th century BCE.
- In the simulation, Perseus is shown wearing a variant of the Greek Heroes Set of armor.
Gallery
-
Painting of Perseus rescuing Andromeda from Ketos the sea monster -
Perseus in the simulation of Tartaros -
Perseus at the Gate of the Slayer
Appearances
- Assassin's Creed II (painting only)
- Assassin's Creed: Origins (mentioned only)
- Assassin's Creed: Odyssey (artwork only)
- The Fate of Atlantis: Torment of Hades (simulation only)
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 Assassin's Creed: Odyssey – A Treasury of Legends
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Assassin's Creed II – Glyph 5: "Instruments of Power"
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Odyssey – Historical Locations / Argolis: Buried Head of Medusa
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Odyssey – The Fate of Atlantis: Torment of Hades
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Odyssey
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Origins