Who Was Perseus In Greek Mythology? The Legends Of Percy Jackson’s Namesake Explained

The Percy Jackson & the Olympians books and screen adaptations are heavily steeped in Greek mythology, and its influence is even responsible for the title character’s name. Based on Rick Riordan’s best-selling books of the same name, the Disney+ series follows Percy Jackson as he learns he’s the son of Poseidon — a revelation that completely alters the course of his life. Percy’s journey to Camp Half-Blood and everything that comes after features many mythological creatures and figures. However, Greek legends loom over everything he does, even before he discovers he’s a demigod.

Greek mythology is even where Percy gets his name from, something Sally Jackson explains to him in the Percy Jackson & the Olympians premiere. During a trip to the museum, she reveals that he’s named after Perseus, a figure from Greek folklore. She offers a reasonable explanation for why Perseus is Percy’s namesake, but their conversation may leave viewers wanting to know more.

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Perseus Was A Demigod & The Son Of Zeus

Zeus Impregnated His Mother While She Was Trapped In A Tower

Perseus is a hero in Greek mythology, and like Percy Jackson, he’s also a demigod. Perseus is the son of Zeus and a mortal princess named Danae. Danae was locked in a bronze tower by her father, Acrisius, after a prophecy claimed her son would be the one to kill him (via Greek Legends and Myths). This eventually came true, and one could argue Acrisius inadvertently brought about his own fate. Hearing of the bronze tower and Danae’s beauty, Zeus decided to pay the princess a visit. He took the form of a cloud and rained gold upon her, leading to Perseus’ conception and birth.

One might wonder why Sally Jackson would name her child after a son of Zeus when Poseidon is Percy’s father. Given the Pact of the Big Three in Percy Jackson — and Zeus’ threat of war — it’s clear the two Greek gods don’t particularly care for one another. However, Perseus’ upbringing with his mother is what inspired Sally to name her son after him.

Perseus & His Mortal Mother, Danae, Were Cast Into The Sea In A Wooden Chest

Sally Jackson Relates To Danae & Perseus’ Story

As Sally Jackson tells Percy in the first episode of Percy Jackson & the Olympians, she didn’t name him after Perseus because the figure was a hero; she did so because Perseus and Danae were cast out when he was a child, and they were all each other had. Since Perseus was prophesied to kill Acrisius, Danae’s father placed both of them into a wooden chest, then sent them into the sea. His hope was that they’d either perish or travel too far to ever return. Thanks to Zeus and Poseidon, the box made it safely to shore, putting an end to Acrisius’ plans yet again.

Left to raise Percy on her own, Sally clearly relates to Danae’s story in some capacity, as Poseidon does nothing more than watch over them. She and Percy are each other’s support system, and they’re forced to brave even the rockiest situations together. Additionally, Percy’s father is heavily related to the sea, which factors heavily into Danae and Perseus’ story.

Perseus Famously Beheaded Medusa & Saved Andromeda From A Sea Monster

This Feats Made Him A Famous Greek Hero

Despite all the attempts to prevent Perseus from being conceived — and then making it to adulthood — he went on to become a well-known Greek hero. Perseus is best known for two feats: beheading Medusa and saving Andromeda. The first of these accomplishments is explained in Percy Jackson & the Olympians, as the statue Percy and his mother look at depicts Perseus holding up the Gorgon’s severed head. Sally notes that not all beings that look like monsters are monsters, alluding to the true story of Perseus and Medusa. Perseus is coerced into killing Medusa by King Polydectes, despite the fact that Medusa is the only mortal Gorgon.

According to several versions of this Greek myth, King Polydectes’ true intentions in sending Perseus on the quest to slay Medusa were to get rid of him (via Theoi Greek Mythology). The king wanted Perseus out of the way so that he could pursue Danae, and he didn’t anticipate the demigod’s success. However, after receiving several gifts from the gods, Perseus successfully beheaded Medusa — and used her head to turn King Polydectes to stone.

During his journey home, Perseus also accomplished his other great feat, saving Andromeda’s life. The princess was chained to a rock after her mother bragged that she was more beautiful than the Nereids (via Britannica). Andromeda was left as a sacrifice to be eaten by sea monsters, but Perseus saved her from this fate. Some iterations of this Greek myth claim he killed the monster with the same sword he used to slay Medusa, while others suggest he defeated the monster with Medusa’s head. Either way, Perseus and Andromeda married after he rescued her.

Perseus Became King Of Mycenae & Died At An Old Age

He Also Fulfilled His Destiny In Argos

Following his triumphs with Medusa and Andromeda, Perseus and his mother eventually returned to their original home, Argos. He fulfilled his destiny to kill his grandfather, though this turned out to be an accidental incident. Perseus later formed the city of Mycenae and became its king, dying at an old age after a life of heroic accomplishments (via Britannica). It’s no wonder he’s considered a Greek hero, and while Percy Jackson’s arc doesn’t mirror Perseus’ journey exactly, many parts of it are similar.

How Perseus’ Story Parallels Percy Jackson’s In The Books

Rick Riordan’s Hero Has A Lot In Common With His Legendary Namesake

Both Perseus and Percy Jackson are demigods who achieve great feats despite the odds, and their early stories are somewhat similar. Although Sally and Percy aren’t dramatically cast out to sea, the two are essentially abandoned by Poseidon, who looks after them in the same way he and Zeus helped guide Perseus and Danae’s crate. And while Percy doesn’t have a grandfather who fears him, he is considered a threat by Zeus and Hades, as he’s a forbidden child. Like Perseus, he’s also given a seemingly impossible mission: retrieving Zeus’ Thunderbolt. Despite this, he comes out on top.

Additionally, Percy fights Medusa with similar items to Perseus in Riordan’s books. While this hasn’t happened yet in the Disney+ show, it’s only a matter of time before Percy and his friends encounter the Gorgon; after all, she’s in the Percy Jackson trailers. Although the Percy Jackson series promises to change Medusa’s characterization somewhat, her encounter with Percy in Percy Jackson & the Olympians will give him something else in common with his namesake.