The Danae myth

Danae is the only child of the Peloponnesian king, Acrisius. When he is told by an oracle that he is to be killed by his daughter’s son, Acrisius locks his daughter in a tower to prevent a grandchild being born.

But the father of the gods has set his sights on her and all precautions are redundant. Jupiter falls through the roof of the tower in a shower of gold and deflowers Danae. The result is a son, Perseus, who is cast out to sea in an ark with his mother by Acrisius. Jupiter holds his hand protectively over mother and son and they survive, and are taken in by a Cretan prince.

Years later Perseus returns as a contestant in the Peloponnesian games where the oracle’s prophecy is tragically fulfilled. A demigod with super powers, Perseus accidentally kills his grandfather on the stands with his discus.