In
Greek mythology, Perses (/ˈpɜːrsiz/PUR-seez;
Ancient Greek: Πέρσης,
romanized: Pérsēs,
lit. 'destroyer') is the son of the
TitanCrius and
Eurybia, and thus brother to
Astraeus and
Pallas.[1][2] Ancient tradition records very little of Perses other than his marriage and offspring, his role largely being purely genealogical, existing merely to provide a parentage for other, more important figures.
Etymology
His name is derived from the Ancient Greek word perthō (πέρθω – "to sack", "to ravage", "to destroy").
Mythology
Hesiod describes Perses as "eminent among all men in wisdom."[1] He was wed to
Asteria, the daughter of
Phoebe and
Coeus,[3][2] with whom he had one child,
Hecate, honoured by
Zeus above all others as the goddess of magic, crossroads, and witchcraft. He might be the Perses that is the father of
Chariclo, the wife of
Chiron, in some versions.[4]
He was confused with another
Perses (the son of the sun god
Helios and
Perse), who was made the father of
Hecate in some versions.[5]
