Irlandos at 12:37, March 13, 2006

2006-03-13T12:37:20Z

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In [[Greek mythology]], '''Danaë''' (Greek: ''Δανάη'', "parched") was a daughter of King [[Acrisius]] of [[Argos]] and [[Eurydice]] (no relation to [[Orpheus]]' Eurydice). She was the mother of [[Perseus]] by [[Zeus]]. She was sometimes credited with founding the city of Ardea in Latium.

Disappointed by his lack of male heirs, Acrisius asked an [[oracle]] if this would change. The oracle told him to go to the Earth's end where he would be killed by his daughter's child. She was childless and, meaning to keep her so, he shut her up in a bronze tower or cave. But Zeus came to her in the form of rain or a shower of gold, and impregnated her. Soon after, their child Perseus was born.

None too happy, but unwilling to provoke the wrath of the gods by killing his offspring, Acrisius cast the two into the sea in a wooden chest. The sea was calmed by [[Poseidon]] at the request of Zeus and the pair survived. They washed ashore on the island of [[Seriphos]], where they were taken in by [[Dictys]], the brother of King [[Polydectes]], who raised the boy to manhood.

Later, after Perseus killed [[Medusa]] and rescued [[Andromeda]], the oracle's prophecy came true.

He started for Argos, but learning of the prophecy instead went to [[Larissa]], where athletic games were being held. By chance Acrisius was there, and Perseus accidentally struck him with his javelin (or discus), fulfilling the prophecy. Too shamed to return to Argos he then gave the kingdom to [[Megapenthes]], son of [[Proetus]] (Acrisius' brother) and took over his kingdom of [[Tiryns]], also founding [[Mycenae]] and [[Midea]] there.

{{Credit wikipedia}}

[[Category:Greek mythological people]]

Danae - Revision history

Irlandos at 12:37, March 13, 2006