Home > Myths and Legends of the World > Danaë

In Greek mythology Danaë was the daughter of Acrisius, the king of Argos. An oraclepriest or priestess or other creature through whom a god is believed to speak; also the location (such as a shrine) where such words are spoken told Acrisius that Danaë's son would someday kill him. To prevent the prophecyforetelling of what is to come; also something that is predicted from coming true, Acrisius had his daughter imprisoned in a bronze tower. There the god Zeusin Greek mythology, king of the gods and husband of Hera (Roman god Jupiter) went to her in a shower of gold, and she became pregnant with a son, the hero Perseus. When Acrisius learned of the baby's birth, he ordered Danaë and her son locked inside a chest and set adrift at sea.

The chest...