Cepheus

The son of the King Belus of Ethiopia. He was the husband of Cassiopeia and father of Andromeda. His wife boasted that her daughter was more beautiful than the Nereids and in revenge Poseidon sent a sea monster to ravage the land.

The oracle of Ammon predicted deliverance from the calamity if Andromeda were exposed as a prey to the monster. Cepheus was compelled by the Ethiopians to do it, and he bound his daughter to a rock near the sea. Perseus offered to rescue her if he would give Andromeda as his wife. Cepheus agreed and Perseus dispatched the monster.

After his death Cepheus was placed among the stars.

References

Sources

  • Herodotus. Histories vii, 61.
  • Pseudo-Apollodorus. The Library ii, 1.4, 4.3.
  • Tacitus. Histories, vi, 2.