Andromeda (mythology) facts for kids
Andromeda is a famous person from Greek mythology. She was a princess known for her beauty and for being saved by the hero Perseus.
Andromeda was the daughter of King Cepheus and Queen Cassiopeia of ancient Ethiopia. Her mother, Cassiopeia, was very proud. She foolishly boasted that she was more beautiful than the Nereids, who were sea nymphs. This extreme pride, called hubris, angered the gods. To punish Cassiopeia, the sea god Poseidon sent a terrible sea monster named Cetus to attack the coast of Ethiopia.
King Cepheus was desperate. He asked a wise prophet, the oracle of Ammon, for help. The oracle said the only way to stop the monster was to sacrifice Andromeda. So, the princess was chained to a rock by the sea, waiting for Cetus to arrive.
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Perseus to the Rescue
Just then, the hero Perseus was flying by on his winged sandals. He had just defeated the monster Medusa, whose head could turn anyone who looked at it into stone. Perseus saw Andromeda chained to the rock and immediately fell in love with her. He promised King Cepheus he would save Andromeda if he could marry her.
Perseus fought Cetus with his magical sword. He defeated the monster and saved Andromeda. Even though Andromeda had been promised to her uncle, Phineus, she married Perseus. At their wedding, Phineus and his friends tried to fight Perseus. But Perseus used Medusa's head to turn them all into stone.
Life After the Rescue
Andromeda traveled with Perseus to his home island of Serifos. Later, they moved to Argos, where Perseus was supposed to be king. However, after an accident, Perseus became king of the nearby city of Tiryns instead.
Perseus and Andromeda had many children together. They had seven sons, including Perses, who is said to be the ancestor of the Persians. They also had two daughters. Their family line became very important. Andromeda was even the great-grandmother of the famous hero Herakles.
Andromeda in the Stars
After Andromeda died, the goddess Athena honored her. Athena placed Andromeda in the northern sky as a constellation. This means Andromeda became a group of stars. She is placed near the constellations of Perseus, her husband, and her parents, Cepheus and Cassiopeia. This reminds everyone of Perseus's bravery in saving her from the sea monster.
Images for kids
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Detail of an ancient mosaic showing Andromeda from the 'House of Poseidon' in Zeugma, Turkey. It was made between the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD.
See also
In Spanish: Andrómeda (mitología) para niños
