Editing Polydectes (section)

== Mythology ==

Polydectes fell in love with [[Danaë]] when she and her son [[Perseus]] were saved by his brother Dictys (see: [[Acrisius]]). Perseus, old enough by the time, was very protective of his mother and would not allow Polydectes near her. Therefore, Polydectes hatched a plot to get him out of the way. Under the pretense that he was going to marry [[Hippodamia (daughter of Oenomaus)|Hippodamia]], he ordered every man in Seriphos to supply him with suitable gifts. His friends were to provide horses but Perseus failed to bring any, so Polydectes announced that he wanted nothing more than the head of the Gorgon [[Medusa]], since Perseus had previously said he was up to a task so harsh as fetching a Gorgon's head. Perseus agreed and Polydectes told him that he could not return to the island without it. Perseus slew Medusa, using a shield supplied by Athena as a mirror to avoid looking at the gorgon.

When Perseus returned to Seriphos with the Gorgon's head, he found that, in his absence, his mother was threatened and abused by Polydectes, and had to seek refuge in a temple. Perseus was outraged and strode into the throne room where Polydectes and other nobles were convening. Polydectes was surprised that the hero was still alive and refused to believe Perseus had accomplished the deed he was sent out to do. Perseus protested that he had indeed slain the Gorgon Medusa, and, as proof, revealed her severed head. No sooner had Polydectes and his nobles gazed upon the prize when they were turned to stone.<ref>Thus also in [[Ovid]], ''[[Metamorphoses]]'' 5.242 ff. and [[Pindar]], ''Pythian Ode'' 12.14</ref> In a version recorded by [[Gaius Julius Hyginus|Hyginus]], Polydectes, fearing the courage of Perseus, made a treacherous attempt on his life, and Perseus succeeded in exposing the Gorgon's head just in time.<ref>[[Gaius Julius Hyginus|Hyginus]], ''Fabulae'' 64</ref> Perseus then handed the kingdom of Seriphos over to Dictys.

In an alternate version followed by Hyginus, Polydectes married Danaë as she was brought to him by Dictys, and had Perseus brought up in a temple of [[Athena]]. He did not abuse Perseus and Danae, but rather protected them from Acrisius as the latter discovered that they had survived and arrived at Seriphos to kill them. Perseus eventually swore to never kill his grandfather, but Polydectes soon died and at his funeral games Perseus accidentally hit Acrisius with a discus, which resulted in Acrisius' death.<ref>Hyginus, ''Fabulae'' 63</ref><ref>Elsewhere the incident was said to have taken place at the funeral games of [[Teutamides]]' father.</ref>