Objectives

The area of Greece known as the Argolid was richly productive of local legends. This is no doubt true in part because of the region's deep antiquity as the site of the principal cities of the Mycenaean Bronze Age.

After this chapter, you should:

• Know the myths of Io, the Danaids, and Perseus, and be able to recognize scenes from them as represented in ancient art.
• Recognize how the story of Perseus is more a folktale than a heroic legend.
• Know the origin of Medusa and two modern understandings of her meaning.