Andromeda in Greek Mythology: The Legendary Princess

The legendary princess, Andromeda, was a mortal woman born to King Cepheus and Queen Cassiopeia. Andromeda’s fate was sealed when Cassiopeia bragged that Andromeda was more beautiful than the Nereid sea nymphs. The Nereid sea nymphs were known for their astounding beauty. Poseidon, the god of the sea, was a friend of the Nereids.

These arrogant statements by Cassiopeia angered Poseidon. When Poseidon heard that Cassiopeia was bragging that her daughter, Andromeda, was more beautiful than the Nereids, Poseidon sent a sea monster upon the land to ravage the princess as revenge.

Perseus Rescues Andromeda

As Perseus was on his way home from beheading the monster Medusa, he noticed Andromeda was chained to a rock and was facing being eaten from the sea monster Cetus. Perseus was captivated by her beauty and decided to rescue her. With the head of Medusa in his satchel, he pulled out Medusa’s head and showed it to the sea monster. Cetus, the sea monster, looked into the eyes of the head of Medusa and turned to stone, releasing Andromeda from her imminent death.

Andromeda Marries Perseus

Andromeda was arranged to marry Phineus, her uncle, but Perseus could not let that happen. He had fallen in love with her the moment he saw her chained to the rock. After rescuing her, Perseus married Andromeda and killed Phineus in the process. Phineus attempted to fight Perseus for Andromeda, but Perseus killed Phineus by using Medusa’s head to turn him to stone. After they married, Andromeda and Perseus ventured Greece together.

Andromeda’s Children

Perseus is thought to be the ancestor of the Persians. Perseus founded Mycenae, where Andromeda became queen. Perseus and Andromeda had nine children during their marriage; seven sons and two daughters. Perseus and Andromeda’s seven sons were Perses, Alcaeus, Heleus, Mestor, Sthenelus, Electryon, and Cyunrus. Their two daughters were Autochthe and Gorgophone. Perseus and Andromeda’s children would live in Mycenae and continue to rule the civilization.

Andromeda’s Place in the Sky

Athena promises that Andromeda will have a place in the sky after her death. When Andromeda dies, Athena keeps her promise and places Andromeda in the sky within the Andromeda constellation. The Andromeda constellation is fittingly located between the Perseus constellation and the Cassiopeia constellation.

There are additional constellations located within the Andromeda galaxy that are related to this legendary princess.

In addition to the constellations Perseus and Cassiopeia, there are also the constellations Cepheus, Pegasus, and Cetus.

The constellation Cepheus represents Andromeda’s father, King Cepheus. This constellation is indicative of a large man wearing a crown.

The constellation Pegasus represents the winged horse that was birthed from the neck of Medusa when Perseus beheaded her.

The constellation Cetus represents the sea monster that Poseidon sent upon the earth to devour Andromeda as she was chained to a rock.

Andromeda Lives On

Andromeda is a legendary princess whose story continues to be told because her permanent place in the sky allows us to always remember her. While her beauty was her downfall, it was also her saving grace.

She was facing an impending death from a sea monster up until the point when she was noticed by a passing-by Perseus. Because of her beauty, Perseus took exceptional notice and vowed to save her from the sea monster and the chains in which she was bound.

Andromeda would marry Perseus and become the queen of Mycenae and have many children. Perseus would be known as the ancestors of the Persians, with their many descendants continuing to have control over Mycenae.

When Andromeda died, Athena honored her by placing her in a constellation among the heavens in the sky.