Acrisius
Acrisius (Greek Ἀκρίσιος; Latin Acrisius ) In Greek mythology, a king of Argos, the great-grandson of Danaus, grandson Hypermestra and Lynceus, son of Abas and Aglaia, twin brother of Proetus, father of Danaë and thus grandfather of Perseus.
The oracle
As he had with Aganippe or Eurydice only a daughter, he consulted an oracle, which he prophesied that he would not have a son and die at the hands of a grandson. Therefore, he locked his daughter Danae and her nurse in an underground, bronze chamber, cellar or tower. Zeus nevertheless recognized her beauty and came to her in the form of a trickling through the roof laburnum, which Perseus was begotten. When Acrisius now noticed that his daughter was still become pregnant or had been born after the other story of Perseus, he slew her nurse and forced Danae at the altar of Zeus, to confess the name of the Father - he feared and hoped at the same time, his assumption confirmed to be found. When his daughter, however, the Zeus stated as a father, he did not believe her. Acrisius was Danae and Perseus in a box or basket ( ark ) expose on the sea. Zeus prevented with the help of Poseidon, however, that both perished.
It is also said that Danaë was seduced by Proitos. With Proitos Acrisius had lain in the womb in the fight. Later, they fought over the inheritance of Abas, the battle turned out a draw. Another version says that Proitos first was defeated and went to Asia Minor and with the help of his father and an army returned again - and also in this case, the battle was a draw. The two finally shared the kingdom. Acrisius got Argos and vicinity, Proitos Tiryns and the rest of the country.
The fulfillment of the oracle
The award of the oracle was fulfilled years later, when Perseus on his way home from his adventures in Larisa accidentally grandfather Acrisius during a fighting game with a discus hit. He is buried in deep mourning of Perseus, Perseus himself gives all winning magic items back to the gods.
According to another version but Polydectes Danaë had married on Seriphos. Acrisius was now trying to kill Perseus there by hand, but was prevented from Polydectes it. This now left all - nobler than we know him from the other stories! - Swear that no one ever should threaten the life of the other again. However, a storm prevented the departure of Acrisius. Polydectes died, and during the funeral threw Perseus these discussions, the Akrisos also killed here by accident.
A third variant says that Perseus wanted to see his grandfather and traveled to Argos. When Acrisius learned of this, he fled to King Teutamidos of Larisa. Teutamidos died, however, and at the funeral, a pentathlon was held at the Perseus took part. However, when the discus, he met accidentally at the foot of Acrisius, who died from his injuries.
Acrisius is said to have ordered and also determines the amphictyony of Delphi, which cities to attend the meetings. Virgil calls him an ancestor of Turnus.
Swell
- Libraries of Apollodorus 2, 24-26; 2, 34-35; 2, 47-48; 3, 116
- Herodotus, Histories, 6, 53 - 54
- Hesiod, Ehoien, 129, 2-17; 135, b; 135, 2
- Ovid, Metamorphoses, 4, 607-616.
- Pausanias, traveling in Greece, 2, 16, 1-3; 2, 23, 7; 2, 25, 7; 3, 13, 8; 10, 5, 11,
- Strabo, Geographica, 420; 487
- Virgil, Catalepton, 9, 33
- Virgil, Aeneid, 7, 372