Danae
Greek · mortal · heroic age · Recorded classification
Mortal princess of Argos; daughter of Acrisius; mother of Perseus by Zeus. Imprisoned by her father in a bronze underground chamber to prevent the prophesied grandson; Zeus came to her as a shower of gold and she conceived Perseus. Cast adrift with infant Perseus in a wooden chest, washed up on Seriphos. The "golden shower" episode is one of the most reproduced Zeus-mortal seductions in Greek and Roman art (Titian, Klimt, etc.).
Parentage
- paternal: Acrisius
Children
Powers
- Conceive Perseus from Zeus's golden rain
Relations
- lover: ZeusZeus came to her in the bronze chamber as a shower of gold; she conceived Perseus.Apollod. 2.4.1; Pind. Pyth. 12.17-18; Hor. Carm. 3.16 (primary)