The tale of Medusa: Between passion and danger -

The tale of Medusa: Between passion and danger

Medusa, often depicted as a terrifying creature with snakes for hair, is known for turning people into stone. A once beautiful, beloved woman, Medusa was a Gorgon, a clan of sisters born of the sea gods Phorcys and Ceto. Of the three Gorgon sisters, Medusa was the only mortal, making her especially vulnerable to the wills of the gods. She is known for her disastrous fate: decapitation by Perseus. But Medusa's story is more complex than her ending.

Want to learn more about Medusa's powerful tale? Click on. 

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Medusa and her sisters -

Medusa and her two sisters, Stheno and Euryale, are known as the three Gorgons. They were born from Phorcys, a sea god, and Ceto, a sea monster.

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What’s a Gorgon? -

The term comes from an ancient Greek word that means "fierce and terrible," while Medusa's name refers to an ancient Greek verb that means "to protect."

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A mortal -

Of the three sisters, Medusa was the only mortal. She is also one of the most well-known figures of Greek mythology, historically speaking.

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Frightening Medusa -

Perhaps the first thought that comes to mind when thinking of Medusa is the head of a hideous, frightening woman with wild snakes for hair; a woman who can turn people into stone with just a look.

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Medusa violated -

While this was her fate, Medusa was actually once a beautiful maiden, unlike her sisters, who were all born as monsters. This was until Medusa, according to the Roman poet Ovid, was seduced (some depictions believe she was violated) in a shrine to Athena, goddess of wisdom, by Poseidon (pictured), god of the sea.

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Poseiden admired Medusa -

It is said that Poseidon admired Medusa’s beauty and that he desired her to such an extent that he sought to impregnate her.

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Beauty became a monster -

Athena considered the act a desecration of her shrine and in an act of revenge, she turned Medusa’s locks into a bed of snakes. Just like that, the beauty became a monstrous being, banished to live in a faraway land.

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Perseus -

Medusa’s terrible luck didn’t end there. Perseus, the son of Zeus and Danae, would soon bring even greater misfortune her way. Danae’s father, King Acrisius, had imprisoned both Danae and Perseus after the King had been told by a fortune-teller that he would be killed by Danae’s son.

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Danae and Perseus exiled -

Fearing his death, the King placed Danae and Perseus in a chest, throwing it out to sea. Eventually, that chest drifted to the shores of an island called Seriphos.

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Polydectes -

Perseus (pictured) was raised by Dictys, brother of the King of Seriphos, Polydectes. Polydectes was in love with Danae, eventually enslaving her. Perseus was quite protective of his mother.

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The king was threatened -

It’s likely that the king was jealous or, at the very least, found Perseus’ protective nature of Danae (pictured) to be threatening. Therefore, Polydectes came up with a plan.

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Hippodamia -

Under the guise of a banquet held in honor of Hippodamia, daughter of King Oenomaus, Polydectes asked guests to bring horses as a gift in honor of her impending marriage, as Hippodamia tamed horses.

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Ordered to kill Medusa -

Perseus, unaware, arrived without a horse to gift. Polydectes told Perseus that in substitute for the requested horse, he should retrieve Medusa’s head. Polydectes was convinced Perseus would not succeed.

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Guided by the gods -

Guided by Hermes, god of trade, and Athena (pictured), who was responsible for Medusa’s condition, Perseus had a great deal of help from the gods to ensure he would be successful on his mission. After all, he was the son of Zeus.

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Perseus' armory -

Hermes armed Perseus with wing sandals. Hephaestus, god of fire, provided him with an adamantine sickle, and Hades, god of the underworld, gave Perseus an invisibility helmet. Athena provided him with a reflective shield. He also carried a sack with him to store Medusa’s head.

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Medusa's cave -

Perseus made his way to Medusa’s cave, where she was sleeping. Carefully, Perseus approached Medusa, ensuring not to wake her.

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Shield as a mirror -

Perseus used the shield he received from Athena as a mirror. Fearing that Medusa would wake up and turn him to stone, he walked backward toward her, using her reflection in the shield as a guide.

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Medusa's beheading -

When he was finally in position, Perseus wielded the sickle he was carrying and beheaded Medusa, but as he cut off her head, two creatures appeared from her.

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Medusa's children -

Born of Medusa and Poseidon, Pegasus, a winged horse, flew from Medusa’s head, and Chrysaor, who is sometimes depicted as a winged boar, emerged from her neck.

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Perseus' adventures -

Perseus placed Medusa's head in the sack and fled, but he didn’t immediately return to the King to show him his conquest. Perseus had a few adventures of his own.

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Medusa's head still had powers -

Despite the decapitation, Medusa’s head still had the power to turn people to stone. Therefore, Perseus used Medusa's head as a weapon on several quests.

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Andromeda -

During his journey back, Perseus saw Andromeda, a beautiful princess. Andromeda’s mother, Cassiopeia, had said she was more beautiful than all the sea nymphs.

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Cassiopeia -

To punish Cassiopeia for her claim, Poseidon plagued Ethiopia with a sea monster, Cetus. Andromeda’s father, King Cepheus, was told by an oracle that if Cetus were to kill Andromeda, the sea monster would cease.

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Andromeda is sacrificed -

The King sacrificed his daughter to stop the torture his people were experiencing. Andromeda, tied to a rock, was spotted by Perseus. Captivated by her beauty, Perseus sought to save the princess.

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Cetus turns into stone -

Perseus used Medusa’s head to turn Cetus, the sea monster, into stone. Afterward, Perseus married Andromeda, but not without a hiccup.

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Phineus -

Andromeda was already promised to another: Phineus. Of course, Phineus was not so thrilled with the news that his fiance would marry another. He attempted to fight Perseus, so Perseus used Medusa's head to turn him into stone.

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Perseus turns the king into stone -

Upon Perseus’ return to Seriphos, Danae was still enslaved to Polydectes. Determined to rescue his mother from her terrible fate, Perseus used Medusa’s head to turn the King and his entire court into stone.

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Medusa's unfortunate fate -

Medusa, often reduced to her terrifying image and incredible powers, struggled with a series of unfortunate events that did not even end after her death.

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Objectified -

Medusa’s terrible luck was that of objectification. First, she was the source of Poseidon’s desires, then Medusa became the target of Athena’s rage. Medusa then became the subject of Polydectes' plans, and lastly, she turned into the weapon of Perseus' revenge.

Sources: (Britannica) (Theoi Project) (World History)

See also: Incredible places from Greek mythology you can visit today

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