The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2001-07.
Danaë
(dn´) (KEY) , in Greek legend, daughter of Acrisius. When it was prophesied that Danaës son would kill Acrisius, her father imprisoned her in a bronze tower. However, Zeus came to her in the form of a shower of gold, and she bore him a son, Perseus. Acrisius put Danaë and Perseus into a chest and threw them into the sea, but they floated safely to land and the prophecy was eventually fulfilled.