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Polydectes

Mythological king on Seriphos

Entitymythological Greek characterQ771241

Instance of: mythological Greek character

Overview

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In Greek mythology, King Polydectes is a king of the island of Seriphos in the Cyclades. Polydectes was the ruler of the island when the Argive princess Danaë and her infant son Perseus washed ashore, having been cast away into the sea by Danaë's father Acrisius, who was afraid that his daughter's son would kill him. Polydectes eventually grew enamoured with the beautiful Danaë, but did not dare approach her due to her grown-up son Perseus, so he attempted to get rid of him by sending him to fetch the head of the gorgon Medusa. Polydectes' plan was foiled as Perseus returned victorious, who then used the severed head to petrify Polydectes.

Overview

All data

20 statements · 15% with external sources · numbers in brackets are citations

Father: Magnes son of Aeolus
1
Sources
1.Stated in RSKD / Aeolus
View statement on Wikidata ↗
Peristhenes
Poseidon
Sibling: Dictys
Sex or gender: male
Mother: Cerebia
Positions held: king in Greek mythology

On other databases

12 identifiers linking Polydectes across the web's reference databases

Data quality

statements

15%

externally sourced

Source last edited September 30, 2026. AIDB refreshes this page daily.

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AIDB. (2026). Polydectes (Q771241). Retrieved from https://aidb.si/e/polydectes-Q771241