Medusa

Introduction

From Greek mythology, Medusa is the only mortal of the Gorgons. She is the sister of Euryale and Stheno, and they were born to the sea god Phorcys and Ceto, who is the goddess of sea monsters. In The Gorogony, Hesiod states that Medusa and her sisters lived beyond Oceanus, and they are often mentioned together. However, it is the titular Medusa who is most commonly depicted in both art and literature.

The Gorgon’s name comes from the Greek word “gorgon,” which literally means “terrible,” and “fierce,” which literally means “to guard.” The word “Medusa” is derived from the verb “to protect,” and it is fitting since the Gorgon, also known as Gorgoneion, is apotropaic.

Her death is most commonly depicted in the story of Perseus, who brought her upon and killed her using the help of Athena and Hermes. The earliest known version of her death is in Theogony, by Hesiod. It features the decapitation of Medusa and the birth of her children, Pegasus and the great Chrysador. The mention of the Gorgon’s head in Homer’s Odyssey and Iliad suggests that the story of Medusa has been around for a long time.

Physical Traits

Usually, Medusa’s head is depicted in art, and she has a broad face with various features, such as snakes for hair and tusks. Although she is typically regarded as ugly, one myth states that her great beauty was the reason why all observers were paralyzed by her appearance.

Scholars believe that her grotesque form is a representation of a partially-decapitated human skull. The image of Medusa was believed to be protective. Various vessels, bronze shields, and statuary have been made with depictions of her.

Family

Medusa was one of the three sisters of the Gorgons, and she was the only one who wasn’t immortal. Various sources claim that she was the child of Gaia and Ceto, and it is believed that she was born somewhere at sea. According to Greek poet Hesiod, she resided near the Hesperides at Sarpedon. Historian Herodotus also stated that she was in Libya.

Although she had a secret affair with Poseidon, she is generally regarded as an unmarried goddess. It is believed that she gave birth to the great Pegasus and the hero of the golden sword, Chrysaor, as a result of her affair with Perseus.

Powers and Abilities

One version of the Medusa story states that she was a pretty young woman who became one of Athena’s priestesses. The priestesses would commit their lives to her. She then fell in love with Poseidon, and they got married. Another version of the story states that Athena was angered by the actions of her priestess and she was turned into a hideous creature with her powers.

Medusa lost all of her features due to the snakes growing in her hair. Athena then made Medusa aware of her presence so that suitors would turn to stone if they saw her. She spent her days wandering the Earth, separated from her sisters. Some of Medusa’s snakes fell to the ground as she traveled. According to legend, this caused the number of snakes in the desert to increase.

Modern Day Influence

Some of the most prominent artists who have been influenced by the story and Medusa include Leonardo da Vinci, Auguste Rodin, and Peter Paul Rubens. The image of Medusa is also widely recognized in popular culture.

The story of Medusa has gained a renewed popularity since it was featured in the movies “Clash of The Titans” (1981) and “Percy Jackson & The Olympians” (2010). She has also appeared in various video games and TV shows.

Various bands and artists have also memorialized Medusa in their own songs. For instance, Annie Lennox and Anthrax have featured her in their songs. The design house that made the Medusa head claimed that it was chosen because it represented philosophy, art, and beauty.