Cepheus, King of Aethiopia

In Greek mythology, Cepheus (/ˈsiːfiəs, -fjuːs/; Greek: Κηφεύς Kepheús) is the name of two rulers of Aethiopia, grandfather and grandson.

Cepheus, King of Phoenicia

Cepheus, son of Agenor is the more well-known Cepheus and the grandson of the other Cepheus. He is featured in the Perseus legend as the husband of lovely Cassiopeia and father of Princess Andromeda, and whose brother Phineus expected to marry Andromeda.

When Poseidon sent the sea monster Cetus to attack Aethiopia after his wife boasted that Andromeda was more beautiful than the Nereids, Cepheus and Cassiopeia consulted with a wise oracle who told them to sacrifice Andromeda to Cetus. Cepheus and Cassiopeia had Andromeda chained to a rock near the ocean so that Cetus could devour her. Andromeda was saved from this fate when Perseus arrived and killed Cetus. Cepheus and Cassiopeia allowed Perseus to become Andromeda's husband after he used Medusa's head to turn Phineus and his men to stone.^[1]

Cepheus was later made into the constellation Cepheus.

See also

• List of Greek mythological figures

References