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For the pretended historian of the Trojan War, see Dictys Cretensis.

Dictys (Ancient Greek: Δίκτυς) was a name attributed to four men in Greek mythology. One, a sailors who tried to abduct Dionysus, but was turned into a dolphin by the god. Two, a centaur who attended Pirithous' wedding, and battled against the Lapiths. Fleeing Pirithous, he slipped and fell off a cliff, impaling himself on the top of an ash tree. Three, son of Poseidon and Agamede, daughter of Augeas. Lastly, a fisher and son of Peristhenes and Androthoe. He acted as a father for Perseus. This last case is the most well known story of Dictys. This Myth of Dictys can be broken into three parts.

Rasing a Hero:

Dictys lived on the miserable island of Seriphos, one of the Cyclades. The island was ruled by his brother Polydectes, who’s name means “much-receiver”. Dictys lived in poverty, where Polydectes lived in royalty, ruling over his brother and the low number of citizens on Seriphos. Dictys, fishing off the shore of Seriphos, caught a large box with his net. He reeled it in to hear the pleas of a woman and the cries of child from the inside. Danae had been cast to sea by her father Acrisius, king of Argos. Acrisius had learnt from a prophet that his grandson, the hero Perseus, would bring his death. Dictys sheltered Danae and Perseus, raising the young hero as a son.

The Obsession of Polydectes:

Polydectes, seeing the new arrivals was stricken by Danae’s beauty. He wooed her, desperately wanting her as mistress. Danae refused many times. Once grown, Perseus also defended her decision. Dictys, Danae and Perseus lived in constant fright of Polydectes' wrath. Polydectes, thinking himself clever, devised a plan to dispose of Perseus. Polydectes held a false wedding in which he asked every man to bring him their finest horse. He wed toHippodamia, whom Polydectes used as part of his scheme. Polydectes knew Perseus did not have a horse. Perseus then boasted instead of a horse, he could bring him anything, even a Gorgons head. Come to the wedding every man brought a horse accept for Perseus. Polydectes told Perseus he must instead go through with his claim and bring back the head of the Gorgon, if not, Polydectes would take Danae by force. Perseus left on his quest. Polydectes was content. It left Danae with no protection, success or not, Polydectes saw Danae as easy prey.

The Return of Perseus:

Dictys, terrified of his brother’s power, sheltered Danae. Even through the fisherman’s best efforts, Polydectes assaulted Danae. Perseus returns from his quest with the Gorgons head. He enters Seriphos to find Dictys and Danae cowering under the alter of the Gods. They were praying for protection from Polydectes. Two versions of Perseus' revenge are told. The popular version explains how the Hero, filled with rage, barges in on Polydectes and his army feasting, pulls out the Gorgons head and turns them to stone. In the second version by Pherecydes, Perseus casually explains his success to Polydectes, letting his army and supporters trickle in slowly. When most of Polydectes' supporters are present, he turns the tyrant and his friends to stone. Perseus, having calmed from is rage, leaves for Argos to meet his grandfather, leaving Dictys as king of Seriphos. Dictys then lived a luxurious life and became a respected king, unlike his brother.

References

Category:Greek mythology Category:Mythological kings Category:Centaurs