Andromeda was the daughter of Cepheus and Cassiopeia. Mother thought she and daughter
were more beautiful than any of Poseidon's many nymphs, and she taunted the God of the
Seas until he just couldn't take it any longer. Poseidon punished the vane mother by chaining
her daughter naked to a rock, to be sacrificed to a dreadful sea monster.
Some writers identify this monster with Cetus, another constellation. But I can find no
reference in the classical texts that directly name the monster as Cetus.
Perseus, fresh from slaying the Gorgon Medusa, was passing by. Attracted by Andromeda's
beauty, and no doubt the generally heroic opportunities the situation offered, he agreed to
rescue her. But only if he could marry Andromeda afterwards.
Cepheus and Cassiopeia were not anxious for their daughter to wed Perseus, but they had
little choice, so agreed. Perseus skimmed over the water, thus confusing the monster, and
then cut off the monster's head. The wedding followed soon afterwards.
At the wedding relatives distrupted the proceedings, probably at Cassiopeia's insistence. In
the following melee both Cassiopeia and Cepheus lost their life. Poseidon put them both in the
heavens (well, it was the least he could do...).
Much later Athene put Andromeda in the same region of the sky, between mother and father.
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were more beautiful than any of Poseidon's many nymphs, and she taunted the God of the
Seas until he just couldn't take it any longer. Poseidon punished the vane mother by chaining
her daughter naked to a rock, to be sacrificed to a dreadful sea monster.
Some writers identify this monster with Cetus, another constellation. But I can find no
reference in the classical texts that directly name the monster as Cetus.
Perseus, fresh from slaying the Gorgon Medusa, was passing by. Attracted by Andromeda's
beauty, and no doubt the generally heroic opportunities the situation offered, he agreed to
rescue her. But only if he could marry Andromeda afterwards.
Cepheus and Cassiopeia were not anxious for their daughter to wed Perseus, but they had
little choice, so agreed. Perseus skimmed over the water, thus confusing the monster, and
then cut off the monster's head. The wedding followed soon afterwards.
At the wedding relatives distrupted the proceedings, probably at Cassiopeia's insistence. In
the following melee both Cassiopeia and Cepheus lost their life. Poseidon put them both in the
heavens (well, it was the least he could do...).
Much later Athene put Andromeda in the same region of the sky, between mother and father.
Back toTop
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"Andromeda" Mythical fantasy Pegasus Carousel Horse from Magic Stables, flies on real
handcrafted feather wings...features white body, white mane and tail, with pearl, lavender
and white accents and flowers...she's a stunning mystical wonder!
handcrafted feather wings...features white body, white mane and tail, with pearl, lavender
and white accents and flowers...she's a stunning mystical wonder!
