Acrisius

{{Infobox Non-Turtledove Fictional Character
 * name= Acrisius
 * image=
 * first= Ancient Greek Mythology
 * turtledove= "Miss Manners' Guide to Greek Missology"
 * nationality=Argos
 * religion= Polytheism
 * occupation= King
 * parents= Abas and Aglaea
 * spouse= Eurydice of Sparta
 * children= Danaë
 * family= Proetus (twin brother), Perseus (grandson)
 * cause of death= Skull crushed by a sporting discus (original story) Alive at end of Turtledove story

Acrisius (Greek: Ἀκρίσιος) was a mythical king of Argos, and father of Princess Danaë. Told by the Delphic oracle that he would one day be killed by Danaë's son Perseus, he had his daughter and infant grandson abandoned in a wooden chest floating in the Mediterranean Sea. Unbeknownst to Acrisius, they were rescued and settled on Serifos. Two decades later, while visiting the northern Greek city of Larissa, Acrisius was killed in an accident when a stray discus from a sporting event crushed his skull. The athlete who threw the discus was found to be Perseus.

Acrisius in "Miss Manners' Guide to Greek Missology"
Acrisius was told by prophet that his Danaë would have a son who would kill him, so he grounded her for life to prevent her from conceiving. However, he underestimated the scheming of Zeus, who transformed himself "Mr. Shower of Gold." Not wanting to kill his grandson directly, Acrisius had Perseus chained to a rock, where a sea monster would come and eat him. Andromeda intervened and rescued the young man, foiling this plan. It was decided, for the good of all involved, not to invite him to the subsequent wedding."