Perseus: Greek Hero? Or Murderer?

Throughout the various myths recorded in the Anthology of Classical Myth, edited by Stephen M. Trzaskoma, and written by various Greek scribes, a vivid history of Greek heroes is laid out. Many of these heroes were the offspring of Zeus, including one very important hero, Perseus. While Perseus is well known, was he truly the hero he is regarded as? The first mention of Perseus came from the writings of Apollodorus. Perseus is discussed here because of his lineage. Acrisius, a king who consulted with Apollo’s oracle was foretold of a grandchild that would bring about his death. Out of fear of this prophecy he had his daughter Danae locked away. This did not stop Zeus who still managed to impregnate Danae by visiting her in the form of a golden shower. As the various articles telling of Perseus are explored, more details appear. An example of this, is how in the telling of Perseus from Apollodorus, it is not mentioned as to how Acrisius became aware of Perseus, yet in the telling of Pherecydes, it wasn’t until Perseus was 3 or 4 that he was discovered by Acrisius due to him playing too loudly. This small change in detail gives more insight into why Perseus may be willing to fulfill the aforementioned prophecy. After Perseus and his mother are locked in a crate and thrown into the water, they are taken in by Dictys. After some time, Dictys’ brother, king Polydectes falls in love with Danae. Knowing Perseus would not let him have his mother, he throws a party and invites Perseus. Perseus drunkenly says he will bring Polydectes the head of the gorgon Medusa out of gratitude for his invite. The next morning Polydectes takes advantage of that offer, telling Perseus if he doesn’t deliver the head of the gorgon, he will have his mother. With the help of Hermes and Athena guiding him and giving him powerful tools, Perseus completes his task. And right here is where the legend begins. Perseus was regarded as one of the greatest heroes of Greek myth, but was he? After slaying the gorgon, who he had no quarrel with, he then proceeds to continue using the head to kill others. On his voyage home, he comes across the distressed Andromeda and decides to rescue her despite her situation being none of his business. After slaying a giant monster, he then uses the gorgon head to turn his rival for Andromeda’s love and his companions into stone. He uses the gorgon head to kill more throughout his legend until the head is finally taken away from him by Athena. Athena uses the head for herself by placing it in her shield. At first glance it would seem she took it from Perseus to use it just for herself, but knowing that Athena is the goddess of wisdom, could there have been a deeper reason? Perhaps Athena knew the dangers of leaving the gorgon head with Perseus. Although it is later mentioned in the writings of Pherecydes, that it is a possibility Athena just used Perseus’ predicament to her advantage as she already wanted the head of the gorgon for personal reasons. That would make Perseus’ eagerness to kill an advantage for her. Perseus certainly has a trail of questionable actions and is quite a meddler in the lives of others. This is evident from how he stole from the daughters of Phorcos and demanded information from them. Perseus had no qualms with killing or with trickery, it was all he had known all his life. Even being destined to one day kill his own grandfather, a deed he later does while competing in an athletic disc toss in Larissa. This perhaps may not even be the first instance of Perseus killing family, as he may have been related to Polydectes as well since Polydectes was the brother of Dictys. As time progressed through the different stories, it is clear that Perseus becomes revered as a hero. Pausanias, which is written in the 2nd century AD. even writes of Perseus’ actions being carved in stone. Perseus lives the rest of his life out as a king of a great and powerful land, and is even responsible for the birth of the Persian empire through his son Perses. Although, perhaps even that nation being in his legacy is evidence of his evil. The Persian empire is known for its great evils, especially under Xerxes. In the Hebrew Bible, the book of Daniel depicts a “prince of Persia” fighting against an Angel. Persia itself seems to be an evil territory. Is this because evil breeds evil? If you look closely at the life of Perseus, it is clear that he has a legacy of evil yet is still helmed as a hero to the Greek people. Perhaps, he is only evil when looking in from a modern day eye. In a society that is set up on patriarchal views where the people worship gods that rape and steal, Perseus might just be a product of his environment. After all, Perseus had to stay hidden for up to 4 years depending on what version you read. Being hidden for 4 years, with no father, and then upon being found getting locked away and thrown into water can really damage a child. Both physically and mentally. So maybe Perseus is a symbol of a hero to single parent Greek children. He had the power to protect his mom, slay monsters, marry a beautiful woman, and be a king. With all of those positive accomplishments, his misgivings don’t disappear yet he is always still regarded in a positive light. He set up a powerful house in Mycenae, and is apart of a powerful bloodline, even having double relations to Heracles, another questionable Greek hero of legend. Despite what time period Perseus was written about in, the question can still be asked, was he a hero or a murderer? While Perseus himself may have received justice, he has left others who’s spirits may beg for vengeance.

Works Cited

Trzaskoma, Stephen M. Anthology of Classical Myth: Primary Sources In Translation. 9781624664991st version, 2nd ed., Hackett Publishing Company, 2016.