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Definition: Perseus from Philip's Encyclopedia

In astronomy, a prominent northern constellation. Perseus is a rich constellation, crossed by the Milky Way.

Perseus

From Dictionary of Classical Mythology
A great hero, son of ZEUS and DANAE . Perseus’ grandfather Acrisius, king of Argos, had been warned by an oracle that he would be killed by Danae's future son, so he kept her shut away from all contact with men by imprisoning her in a bronze, underground chamber. Nevertheless Zeus came to her through a small aperture in the roof as a shower of golden rain, pouring down into her lap ( Fig. 52 ), and Perseus was the result of their union. Acrisius, refusing to believe that Zeus was the father, shut mother and baby into a wooden chest ( Fig. 53 ) and had it thrown into the sea. The chest drifted safely to the island of Seriphos where it caught in the fishing nets of Dictys, brother of the island's king, Polydectes. Dictys gave Danae and Perseus a home, and here the boy grew uneventfully to manhood. Then Polydectes fell in love with Danae and resolved to have her, by fair means or foul. Realising that the presence of a grown son, well able to protect his mother, would be an obstacle to his…
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Full text Article Perseus

From Britannica Concise Encyclopedia
Perseus, bronze sculpture by Benvenuto Cellini,...
In Greek mythology , the slayer of the Gorgon Medusa . He was the son of Zeus and Danaë . His grandfather had him thrown into the sea in a chest with his mother as an infant because of a prophecy that Perseus would kill him. Perseus and his mother survived, and as a young man Perseus set out to gain…
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Full text Article Perseus

From The Hutchinson Unabridged Encyclopedia with Atlas and Weather Guide
In Greek mythology, the son of Zeus and Danaë . He beheaded the Gorgon Medusa, watching the reflection in his shield to avoid being turned to stone. Having rescued and married Andromeda , he later became king of Tiryns. He used the Gorgon's head, set on his shield, to turn the tyrant Polydectes and, …
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Full text Article Perseus

From Astronomy Encyclopedia
Major constellation of the northern sky, lying in the Milky Way between Auriga and Cassiopeia, representing the mythical Greek hero who saved princess ANDROMEDA from the jaws of a sea-monster. Its brightest star, MIRPHAK , is surrounded by a scattered cluster of bright stars covering six Moon…
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(pûr'sēӘs, –sʊs), in Greek mythology, son of Zeus and Danaë. His grandfather, Acrisius, had been warned by an oracle that his grandson would kill him and therefore put Perseus and his mother in a chest and threw it into the sea. It drifted to Seriphus, where King Polydectes befriended the two. After…
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Full text Article The Arming of Perseus, 1885 (oil on canvas)

From Bridgeman Images: European Masterpiece Collection
The Arming of Perseus, 1885 (oil on canvas)
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Ms E-7 fol.19a The Constellations of Andromeda and Perseus, illustration from 'The Wonders of the Creation and the Curiosities of Existence' by Zakariya'ibn Muhammad al-Qazwini (gouache on paper)
Artist: Islamic School, (14th century) Location: Institute of Oriental Studies, St. Petersburg, Russia Credit: Ms E-7 fol.19a The Constellations of Andromeda and Perseus, illustration from 'The Wonders of the Creation and the Curiosities of Existence' by Zakariya'ibn Muhammad al-Qazwini (gouache on…
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Full text Article Perseus

From The American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language
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Full text Article Aegis, the

From Encyclopedia of Mythological Objects
Variations: Aegis of Zeus , shield of Perseus In classical Greek mythology, the Aegis (“Violent Windstorm”) was the breastplate, buckler, or shield belonging to Zeus (Roman god Jupiter), the god of fate, kings, lightning, sky, and thunder; it was adorned with golden tassels and bore the image of a…
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Greek mythology developed out of the regional traditions and local cults that developed among ethnically similar but culturally distinct groups. Traditions and deities waxed and waned in popularity across the history of ancient Greece. Unlike many of their ancient contemporaries, the gods of the…
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Full text Article Perseus (mythological hero)

From Encyclopedia of the Ancient Greek World
In Greek mythology, Perseus was sent by King...
In myth, Perseus was a hero of Argos and Tiryns , and the slayer of the monster Medusa . The story of his birth is one of the most picturesque Greek legends. King Acrisius of Argos had a beautiful daug... …
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