King Polydectes wanted to marry Perseus' mother Danae, but when she rejected him, he had her arrested and made a slave. To get rid of Perseus, the King sent him on an impossible task to bring back the head of the Gorgon Medusa. However, Perseus succeeded in slaying Medusa. When Perseus returned with Medusa's head, the King did not believe him until Perseus revealed the head, turning the King to stone. Perseus and his mother were then freed.