Chapter 14: Perseus Flashcards
Who founded Mycenae?
Perseus
Who were the parents of Io?
Melia (the nymph of an ash tree and Oceanid) and Inachus
What three great dynasties was Io the ancestor of?
The houses of Argos, Thebes and Crete
What did Zeus change Io into after being discovered by Hera?
A cow
What did Hera do to Io?
She tied her to an olive tree in Mycenae and sent Argus to guard her
Who did Zeus send to free Io?
Hermes
How did Hermes free Io?
He disguised himself as a shepherd and lulled Argus to sleep with a lullaby. He then cut off his head
After Io was freed what did Hera send to torment her?
A gladfly
Where did Io find Prometheus?
On the Caucaus Mountains
What did Prometheus tell Io?
That she would still have to wander but she would regain her human form in Egypt when Zeus touched her. She will then be pregnant with Epaphus (the future king of Egypt)
Who did Epaphus marry?
Memphis
Who were the sons of Belus?
Aegyptus and Danaus
What happened when Aegyptus wanted his fifty sons to marry the fifty daughters of Danaus?
The daughters murdered their husbands on their wedding night, all except Hypermnestra who did not kill her husband Lynceus
Where were the heads of the sons of Aegyptus buried?
In the swamp of Lerna
Who went in search of water when the Danaids arrived in Argos? What happened to her?
Amymone went in search of water and encountered a satyr who tried to rape her. Poseidon chased away the satyr then raped her himself. The springs of Lerna sprung from a rock
How did Danae become pregnant with Perseus?
Zeus came to her in a shower of gold
What did Acrisius do after he found out that Perseus was born?
He locked Perseus and Danae in a box and cast them into the sea
Who saved Perseus and Danae?
Dictys, off the island of Seriphos
Who was Dictys’ brother?
Polydectes
Who did Polydectes pretend to marry?
Hippodamia
What are the names of the three Gorgons?
Medusa (wide ruling), Euryale (far leaper) and Stheno (strength)
What are the features of the Gorgons?
Enormous tusks, wide staring eyes, bronze hand, snakes for hair and golden wings
Who were the Graeae?
They were the sisters of the Gorgons and looked like hags. They had one eye and one tooth to share between the three of them
What helpful object did the nymphs give Perseus?
The cap of Hades (made the wearer invisible), winged sandals and a special leather pouch. He was also given a scimitar and shield by Hermes
What happened when Perseus cut off Medusa’s head?
Medusa was pregnant by Poseidon and Pegasus sprang out of her neck as well as the giant Chrysaör
Who was Andromeda?
The daughter of Cassiopea and Cepheus. She was going to be sacrificed to Poseidon
Who was Andromeda engaged to and what happened to him?
She was engaged to Phineus (brother of Cepheus) and he was turned to stone by Perseus
How did Perseus kill his grandfather?
Perseus accidentally killed Acrisius when a discus he threw landed on his foot
