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| Danae in Greek Mythology |
In Greek mythology, Danae was the daughter of Acrisius (Acrisius was the king of Argos). As Danae and Acrisius were members of a royal family, it is not surprising that there should be prophecies associated with the future - and indeed, there was a threatening message for this house. According to the prophecy, the son Danae was destined to bear would be instrumental in the death of his grandfather, Acrisius.
In order to prevent this event from taking place, King Acrisius locked his daughter in an inaccessible tower, thereby removing her from contact with any potential suitors. Or so he thought...
The god Zeus, who always had an eye for female charms, was struck by the beauty of Danae, and desired her. Zeus therefore transformed himself into a shower of gold, and in this form impregnated Danae. The result of this union of human and divine was the great Greek hero Perseus.
But, of course, the birth of Perseus does not signal the end of this story. In ancient Greece, fate was difficult to elude. However, that did not stop Acrisius from trying anyway, for he sent Danae and the infant Perseus off in an attempt to rid himself of the child who would be the cause of his death. Naturally, both mother and son survived, and Perseus went on to achieve fame as a hero. Eventually, Perseus unwittingly fulfilled the prophecy told before his birth.
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| Danae in Art History |
Gallery | For pictures and information about Danae in art, visit the Mythography gallery!
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Who's Who in Classical Mythology
This book is a great source for information about Greek and Roman mythology! Organized alphabetically, this who's who features information about over 1200 of the most intriguing characters from Classical myth and legend.
The Bibliography
If you want more recommended resources for information about Greek myths, visit the books section - it lists books about mythology, art, literature, and more.
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