# Perseus — Metamorphoses character guide

> Perseus in Metamorphoses by Ovid.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** young Perseus, the brave Perseus

**First appearance:** 0039-story-of-perseus

## Snapshot

The winged hero who kills Medusa, wins Andromeda, and then has to defend his bride with a severed head at his own wedding feast.

## Who they are

Perseus arrives at Cepheus's court fresh from lopping off Medusa, a hero with divine parentage and a trophy that turns men to stone. His claim to Andromeda is contested by Phineus, her former betrothed, who crashes the wedding with a small army and a grievance about being robbed. The banquet brawl that follows shows what kind of hero Perseus is — outnumbered, unbothered, and willing to end an argument by unveiling a Gorgon's face.

## Relationships

### [Andromeda](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metamorphoses_se/characters/andromeda)

_romantic_

Perseus rescues Andromeda from a sea monster and marries her, forming a heroic romantic bond.

### [Medusa](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metamorphoses_se/characters/medusa)

_rivalry_

Perseus slays Medusa, using her severed head as a weapon, making her his enemy.

### [Medusa](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metamorphoses_se/characters/medusa)

_rivalry_

Perseus slays Medusa, using her severed head as a weapon, making her his enemy.

## In the story

### [Story of Perseus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metamorphoses_se/chapters/story-of-perseus)

The victor Perseus, carrying the Gorgon head, flies over Libya and inadvertently creates serpents from the dripping gore.

### [Atlas Transformed to a Mountain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metamorphoses_se/chapters/atlas-transformed-to-a-mountain)

The hero who, after conquering the Gorgons, seeks rest at Atlas's palace and ultimately uses Medusa's head to transform Atlas into a mountain.

### [Andromeda Rescued from the Sea Monster](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metamorphoses_se/chapters/andromeda-rescued-from-the-sea-monster)

The hero who rescues Andromeda from the sea monster and later marries her.

### [Story of Medusa’s Head](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metamorphoses_se/chapters/story-of-medusa-s-head)

The hero who slays Medusa by using a mirrored shield and later recounts the tale.

### [Book V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metamorphoses_se/chapters/book-v)

Defends his marriage to Andromeda against Phineus and his followers, using Medusa's head to turn them to stone.

### [Story of Perseus Continued](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metamorphoses_se/chapters/story-of-perseus-continued)

Defends himself against Phineus and his followers, using Medusa's head to turn them to stone.

### [Minerva's Interview with the Muses](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metamorphoses_se/chapters/minerva-s-interview-with-the-muses)

Mentioned as Minerva's companion in her earlier travels.

### [Skirmish Between the Centaurs and Lapithites](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metamorphoses_se/chapters/skirmish-between-the-centaurs-and-lapithites)

Narrator of the battle, present at the wedding and actively fighting the centaurs.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metamorphoses_se/characters/perseus
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metamorphoses_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metamorphoses_se/characters