Greek Mythology
Seriphos — Greek Mythology
Seriphos is the island in Greek mythology where Perseus spent his early life, and the refuge where Danae and the infant Perseus were rescued after being cast adrift. In the Perseus legend, it links his birth, his expedition, and his return.
Overview
Seriphos lies in the sea, and the stories place its main scenes along the shore, among fishing boats and rocks, and in the island's royal palace. After Danae and Perseus were shut in a chest and thrown into the sea, they drifted to this island. Later, Perseus set out from Seriphos to seek Medusa and, after returning, punished the island's king Polydectes.
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Role in Greek mythology
Seriphos is the island of refuge in the story of Perseus. To evade an oracle, Acrisius placed Danae and her newborn son Perseus in a chest and cast them into the sea; the chest eventually washed up on the shore of Seriphos, where it was found by the fisherman Dictys. Perseus therefore grew up on the island, beyond the immediate danger of the palace at Argos.
The island is also the point of departure and return for Perseus' expedition against Medusa. Polydectes ruled Seriphos and tried to force Danae into his power; under the pretext of a feast and gift-giving, he drew Perseus into promising to bring back Medusa's head. After completing his journey, Perseus returned to the island, used Medusa's head to turn Polydectes and his accomplices into stone, and gave the kingship to Dictys.
Geographical background
In the stories, Seriphos is presented as a sea island. Its central settings include the shore, the waterside where fishermen work, the temple where Danae takes refuge, and the palace of Polydectes. It is connected with Argos by the drifting chest at sea, and with Perseus' wider return route after seeking the Gorgons and rescuing Andromeda.
Related stories
"The Birth of Perseus and the Oracle" mentions this place: after Danae and the infant Perseus are cast into the sea, they drift to Seriphos and are rescued by Dictys.
"Perseus and Medusa" mentions this place: Perseus grows up on Seriphos and leaves the island to fetch Medusa's head because of Polydectes' scheme.
"Perseus and Andromeda" mentions this place: Perseus is originally returning to Seriphos with Medusa's head when he passes the coast of Ethiopia and rescues Andromeda.
"The Return of Perseus" mentions this place: after Perseus comes back to Seriphos, he protects Danae, turns Polydectes into stone, and has Dictys govern the island.