Acrisius

, son of Abas king of Argos, by Ocalea daughter of Man tine us. He was born at the same birth as Prœtus, with whom it is said that he quarrelled even in his mother’s womb. After many di ensions, Prœtus was driven from Argos. Acrisius had Danae by Eurydice daughter of Lacedæmon; and being told by an oracle, that his daughter’s son would put him to death, he confined Danae in a brazen tower, to prevent her becoming a mother. She, however, became pregnant, by Jupiter changed into a golden shower; and though Acrisius ordered her, and her infant called Perseus, to be exposed on the sea, yet they were saved; and Perseus soon after became so famous for his actions, that Acrisius, anxious to see so renowned a grandson, went to Lari a. Here Perseus, wishing to show his skill in throwing a quoit, killed an old man who proved to be his grandfather, whom he knew not, and thus the oracle was unhappily fulfilled. Acrisius reigned about 31 years. Hyginus , fable 63.— Ovid , Metamorphoses , bk. 4 , fable 16.— Horace , bk. 3 , ode 16.— Apollo dor us , bk. 2 , ch. 2 , . — Pausanias , bk. 2 , ch. 16 , . — See: Danae , Perseus , Polydectes .