The rape of Danaë

The story

According to Ovid’s “Metamorphoses’:

Danaë is a virgin princess, daughter of Acrisius, King of Argos. An oracle reveals to Acrisius that he will be killed by his grandson, born of princess Danae. Acrisius locks his daughter away in a tower, attended only by women. Just as she has resolved to languish in lonely obscurity, Zeus, king of the Gods, descends to Danaë in the form of a golden rain, impregnating her. The imprisoned Danaë subsequently gives birth to the half-human, half-god, Perseus.

Acrisius then locks Danaë and Perseus into a wooden chest which he sets adrift in the sea, anticipating that they will eventually drown. Instead, protected by Poseidon, God of the Sea, they land on the island of Seriphos and are taken in by Dictys, brother of King Polydectes.

By the time Perseus reaches adulthood he has spent many years protecting Danaë from the unwanted advances of King Polydectes.

In an effort to get Perseus out of his way, the King commands Perseus to bring him the head of Medusa. After successfully doing so, Perseus travels to Argos to claim his promised throne. In one version of the story he pulls out Medusa’s head, turns Acrisius to stone and gains the kingdom. In another version, after killing Medusa, Perseus travels to Larissa where, participating in a javelin toss competition, he tosses a javelin and accidentally pierces Acrisius in the head, thus fulfilling the prophesy.