Danae. In Greek mythology, Danae was an Argive princess and mother of the hero Perseus by Zeus.
She was credited with founding the city of Ardea in Latium during the Bronze Age. Danae was the daughter and only child of King Acrisius of Argos by his wife Queen Eurydice or Aganippe.
In some accounts, she had a sister, Evarete, wife of King Oenomaus of Pisa and mother of Hippodamia. Disappointed by his lack of male heirs, King Acrisius asked the oracle of Delphi if this would change.
The oracle announced to him that he would never have a son, but his daughter would, and that he would be killed by his daughter's son. At the time, Danae was childless and, meaning to keep her so, King Acrisius shut her up in a bronze chamber to be constructed under the court of his palace.
She was buried in this tomb, never to see the light again. However, Zeus, the king of the gods, desired her, and came to her in the form of golden rain which streamed in through the roof of the subterranean chamber and down into her womb. Soon after, their child Perseus was born. Unwilling to provoke the wrath of the gods or the Furies by killing his offspring and grandchild, King Acrisius cast Danaë and Perseus into the sea in a wooden chest. The sea was calmed by Poseidon and, at the request of Zeus, the pair survived. They were washed ashore on the island of Seriphos, where they were taken in by Dictys-the brother of K
She was credited with founding the city of Ardea in Latium during the Bronze Age. Danae was the daughter and only child of King Acrisius of Argos by his wife Queen Eurydice or Aganippe.
In some accounts, she had a sister, Evarete, wife of King Oenomaus of Pisa and mother of Hippodamia. Disappointed by his lack of male heirs, King Acrisius asked the oracle of Delphi if this would change.
The oracle announced to him that he would never have a son, but his daughter would, and that he would be killed by his daughter's son. At the time, Danae was childless and, meaning to keep her so, King Acrisius shut her up in a bronze chamber to be constructed under the court of his palace.
She was buried in this tomb, never to see the light again. However, Zeus, the king of the gods, desired her, and came to her in the form of golden rain which streamed in through the roof of the subterranean chamber and down into her womb. Soon after, their child Perseus was born. Unwilling to provoke the wrath of the gods or the Furies by killing his offspring and grandchild, King Acrisius cast Danaë and Perseus into the sea in a wooden chest. The sea was calmed by Poseidon and, at the request of Zeus, the pair survived. They were washed ashore on the island of Seriphos, where they were taken in by Dictys-the brother of K
Wikipedia ...