He also killed his grandfather Acrisius and his (Acrisius') twin brother Proëtus. His name is almost always regarded as deriving from pertho, 'to destroy' (the 's' is seen in the future of this verb: perso, Ί will destroy'). And undoubtedly, as mentioned, he certainly was a destroyer.
However, as with Persephone, there is also scope for a 'light' or 'fruitful' interpretation (see her name for the roots), since there were times when Perseus was constructive rather than destructive. Nor should we overlook that Andromeda bore him a son Perses, among others. One association that never seems to be mentioned is that when Perseus cut off Medusa's head he put it, and kept it, in a wallet, pera (see Paris and Pero).
