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Cassiopeia |
Cassiopeia was the queen of Ethiopia. She was so proud of her beauty that she claimed to be more beautiful than the sea nymphs, the Nereids. As a punishment for the offense, the sea god Poseidon sent a monster to destroy Cassiopeia's land. Cassiopeia learned by an oracle that only the sacrifice of her daughter Andromeda could save the kingdom. Andromeda was chained to a sea cliff to be devoured by the monster. Perseus,a famous Greek hero, fell in love with her and rescued her. According to the legend, the sea god Poseidon placed the figure of
Cassiopeia among the stars to remind people of her vanity.
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The nymphs complained to the sea god Poseidon, who threatened to send a sea monster and flood to destroy Cassiopeia's land. In despair, the king Cepheus consulted an oracle to prevent the destruction of his reign. The oracle predicted that only the sacrifice of Andromeda to the monster could appease the wrath of Poseidon. The king chained Andromeda to a sea cliff. Fortunately, at this same
moment, Perseus, the nephew of the king of Argos, was traveling along the coast. Perseus noticed the beautiful woman and
fell in love with her. Learning of Andromeda's story, he offered to rescue
her if her parents agreed to let him marry their daughter.
With the help of some magical sandals that allowed Perseus
to fly, and a magical sword given to him by the god Hermes, Perseus killed the monster and married Andromeda.
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Cassiopeia was the daughter of Arabus, a son of Hermes, who gave his name to the country named Arabia. Cassiopeia was also the ostentatious wife of Cepheus, the king of Ethiopia. She was so proud of her beauty that once she declared that she and her daughter Andromeda were more beautiful than the sea nymphs, the Nereids. Offended, the nymphs complained to the sea god Poseidon, who avenged Cassiopeia's offense by sending a sea monster and a flood to destroy Cassiopeia's land. In despair, the king consulted the oracle of Ammon about how to prevent the destruction of his kingdom. The oracle predicted that only the sacrifice of the king's daughter to the monster could appease Poseidon's wrath. Andromeda was chained naked to a sea cliff. Fortunately, at this same moment, Perseus , the nephew of the king of Argos, was traveling along the coast. Perseus noticed the beautiful Andromeda chained to a cliff and immediately fell in love with her. Nearby, Andromeda's parents waited, resigned to their daughter's fate. Perseus approached them and learned of the impending peril. He promised to save Andromeda and marry her. Perseus'courage prevailed against the monster, and the marriage could finally be celebrated. It is said that the sea god Poseidon placed the figure of Cassiopeia among the stars to remind people of her vanity.
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