Perseus (Constellation): Difference between revisions

The constellation of Perseus may be derived from the Babylonian Old Man (MUL.SHU.GI) constellation, then associated with East in the MUL.APIN—an astronomical compilation dating to around 1000 BCE. In Greek mythology, Perseus was the son of Danaë, who was sent by King Polydectes to bring the head of Medusa the Gorgon—whose visage caused all who gazed upon her to turn to stone—as a wedding gift. Perseus slew Medusa in her sleep, and Pegasus and Chrysaor appeared from her body. Perseus continued to the realm of [[Cepheus]] whose daughter Andromeda was to be sacrificed to Cetus the sea monster. Perseus rescued the princess [[Andromeda]] from [[Cetus]] by turning it to stone with Medusa's head. He turned Polydectes and his followers to stone and appointed Dictys the fisherman king. Perseus and Andromeda married and had six children. In the sky, Perseus lies near the constellations Andromeda, [[Cepheus]], [[Cassiopeia]] (Andromeda's mother), Cetus, and Pegasus.<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perseus_%28constellation%29 Perseus]</ref>