Greek Heroic Age of the founding narratives of various city-states. They also became the ancestors of later heroes. The Phoenician prince Cadmus, was the first Greek hero. The grandson of Poseidon (through his father Agenor), he founded Thebes Perseus, famous for his exploits well before the days of his great-grandson, Heracles, was the son of Zeus. Perseus beheaded the Medusa, saved Andromeda from the sea monster Cetus, and was the legendary founder of Mycenae. Aeacus was also a son of Zeus. Bellerophon was descended from the nymph, Orseis. Oenomaus, king of Pisa, in the Peloponnese, was the son of Ares. The excellence of
Perseus and Andromeda (Titian) killing of the gorgon Medusa, kills the monster and rescues Andromeda, whom he then marries. Titian follows Ovid fairly closely, although it is likely that his Latin was poor, and he mainly relied on somewhat simplified versions in Italian, of which there was a choice. This may explain some of the differences to the Latin original, although Titian may well just have interpreted the story freely. In Ovid Andromeda's parents are nearby; here they are probably on the shore opposite, by a city. Andromeda stands amid seashells and coral. Coral is mentioned by Ovid, but as being formed from Medusa's