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of Seriphos. The chest was found by a local fisherman, called Dictys, who was also the brother of Polydectes, the king of Seriphos. Mother and son were taken to Polydectes, who welcomed them into his court. It was there that Perseus grew into manhood.

Over time Polydectes fell in love with the beautiful Danae but the grown Perseus was very protective of his mother. Polydectes tricked Perseus though into accepting an impossible mission. Polydectes told Perseus that he intended to wed Hippodameia but required an impressive wedding gift. Perseus was of course relieved that Danae was not the intended bride and rashly promised the head of Medusa as a present. It was a promise that Polydectes accepted, believing that Perseus would die during the quest.

Medusa was one of the three Gorgons, who had been cursed by the goddess Athena. Athena had caught the beautiful Medusa and god Poseidon having an affair in one of her temples. Medusa was cursed to have snakes for hair, and eyes that would turn anyone who was caught in their gaze into stone.

Perseus was at a loss to know how to start such a quest as he now faced, but he had not been abandoned by the gods of Olympus. Athena of course was always willing to help those against those she considered to be an enemy. Athena provided Perseus with her reflective shield. Hermes and Hades also aided Perseus in his quest. Hermes provided an adamantine sword and winged sandals, whilst Hades provided his helmet of invisibility. Perseus also acquired a magic wallet to hold the head of Medusa.

Perseus to start his quest first had to get information from the Graeae, the three grey women', additional sisters of Medusa and the Gorgons. The Graeae had but one eye and one tooth between them, so Perseus took the eye and kept it until the Graeae told Perseus everything he required.

With the information obtained, Perseus made his way to Medusa's cavern on Samos. There he found the stony figures of men and animals that had been caught in the gaze of Medusa. Perseus managed to get close to Medusa by using Athena's shield as a mirror, therefore avoiding a direct gaze. Medusa was then beheaded with Hermes's adamantine sword; the decapitated head was then placed into the magic wallet.

The remaining Gorgons, Euryale and Stheino, gave chase to Perseus, but with the assistance of the invisibility caused by Hades' helmet, and Hermes's winged sandals he escaped. The adventures of Perseus though were far from over, and in his travels back to Seriphos he happened

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