Sunday, September 7, 2014

Perseus: Demi-God and Dragon Slayer

Perseus with Head of Medusa
Statue of Perseus
holding the severed head
of Medusa
by Catherine Giordano


Perseus is a demi-god of Ancient Greece.  (Literally, half -god: His father was Zeus, and his mother was a mortal woman, Danae.)

Perseus slays Medusa. Medusa was a Gorgon, technically not a dragon. But dragons are sometimes depicted as creatures with multiple serpent heads spring from their neck. Medusa with her serpent hair may be based on dragon legends. 

When Perseus is returning home he comes upon Andromeda, a young princess chained to a rock about to be attacked by a sea serpent, Cetus. She is being sacrificed because the Delphi oracle has said it was the only way to rid the kingdom of a rampaging dragon. Perseus kills this sea dragon. The rescued maiden becomes Perseus' bride

See a detailed discussion about why I consider these two beasts to be dragons at The Dragon Files: Do Humans Have Dragon DNA?

You can also read a detailed account of the Life of Perseus at  Who is Perseus? Ancient Greek Dragon Slayer


A movie, The Clash of the Titans tells the story of Perseus.



Perseus costume
Perseus costume
child size
adult size


Perseus Graphic Novel
CLICK HERE

Clash-of-the-Titans-DVD
CLICK HERE

No comments:

Post a Comment