A 6th-century BC vase painting shows Perseus throwing stones at Cetus instead of using his sword (right).Perseus defends Andromeda from the monster Cetus by pelting it with stones ( Corinthian amphora, 575-550 BC) The goddess Athena (or her Roman version Minerva) places Andromeda in the northern sky at her death as the constellation Andromeda, along with Perseus and her parents Cepheus and Cassiopeia, in commemoration of Perseus' bravery in fighting the sea monster Cetus. The great hero Heracles ( Hercules in Roman mythology) is also a descendant, his mother Alcmene being Electryon's daughter, while (like his grandfather Perseus) his father is the god Zeus. Their descendants rule Mycenae from Electryon down to Eurystheus, after whom Atreus attains the kingdom. Perseus and Andromeda have seven sons: Perses (who, according to folk etymology, is the ancestor of the Persians), Alcaeus, Heleus, Mestor, Sthenelus, Electryon, and Cynurus as well as two daughters, Autochthe and Gorgophone. However, after accidentally killing Argos' king, his grandfather, Acrisius, Perseus chooses to become king of neighboring Tiryns instead. They next go to Argos, where Perseus is the rightful heir to the throne. Īndromeda follows her husband to his native island of Serifos, where he rescues his mother, Danaë. At the wedding, a quarrel between the rivals ends when Perseus shows Medusa's head to Phineus and his allies, turning them to stone. Preparations are then made for their marriage, in spite of her having been previously promised to her uncle, Phineus. Perseus kills the monster with the magical sword he had used against Medusa, saving Andromeda. Upon seeing Andromeda bound to the rock, Perseus falls in love with her, and he secures Cepheus' promise of her hand in marriage if he can save her. Perseus is just then flying near the coast of Ethiopia on his winged sandals, having slain the Gorgon Medusa and carrying her severed head, which instantly turns to stone any who look at it. Perseus holds up Medusa's head so Andromeda may safely see its reflection in the pool below ( fresco, 1st century AD, Pompeii)
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