Cepheus

Perseus and Andromeda Click on image for full size (149K JPEG) Image courtesy of Planet Art.

Offended, the Nereids complained to the sea god Poseidon, who sent a flood and a marine monster to destroy Cepheus'land. Cepheus was told that only the sacrifice of his daughter Andromeda could save the kingdom.

Andromeda was then chained to a sea cliff to be devoured by the sea monster. At that same moment, Perseus, a famous Greek hero, was traveling along the coast to the north. Perseus noticed the beautiful Andromeda and immediately fell in love with her. He decided at once to rescue the young woman.

Perseus used magical sandals that allowed him to fly and the head of the Gorgon Medusa. Medusa's head had the power to turn anything into stone. Andromeda and Perseus married and one of their children, Perses, became the king of Ethiopia when Cepheus died.