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| Medusa
Biographical Medusa, one of the most well-known figures in Greek mythology, was one of the three Gorgones, daughters of the primordial sea deities Phorcys and Ceto. While early sources, such as Homer, mention only a single Gorgo as a monstrous figure—either a frightful phantom in Hades, as described in the Odyssey, or a terrifying presence on Athena’s Aegis, as in the Iliad—later traditions expanded the number of Gorgones to three: Stheno, Euryale, and Medusa. Hesiod’s Theogony first introduced this triad, and they were sometimes collectively called the Phorcydes or Phorcides, emphasising their lineage. Originally, Hesiod located the Gorgones in the Western Ocean, near the realm of Night and the Hesperides, a mysterious and distant land beyond the known world. Later sources, such as Herodotus and Pausanias, placed them in Libya, reinforcing an association between the Gorgones and Africa. They were described as monstrous creatures, with serpents coiled around their bodies, vibrating tongues, and gnashing teeth. Aeschylus added to their terrifying image by attributing to them wings, brazen claws, and enormous fangs. On the chest of Cypselus, they were depicted with wings as well, highlighting their fearsome nature. Among the three Gorgones, Medusa was unique in that she was mortal. Some traditions state that she was not always a monster but was once a beautiful maiden. However, she incurred the wrath of Athena after becoming the mother of Chrysaor and Pegasus by Poseidon within the goddess’s temple. As punishment, Athena transformed Medusa’s hair into living serpents, and from then on, anyone who gazed upon her face was turned to stone. This petrifying ability made Medusa a formidable challenge for Perseus, who was tasked with slaying her. With the aid of divine gifts—including Athena’s guidance—he succeeded in beheading her by using a reflective surface to avoid direct eye contact. Even in death, Medusa’s head retained its lethal power. Athena placed it at the centre of her shield or breastplate, ensuring that it would continue to strike fear into her enemies. Medusa’s severed head continued to have significance beyond Perseus’ quest. In Athens, a tradition held that her head was buried beneath a mound in the Agora. Another story involving Heracles recounts how Athena gave him a lock of Medusa’s hair, which, when concealed in an urn, had the same terrifying effect as the head itself. Heracles later entrusted this lock to Sterope, the daughter of Cepheus, as a means of defending the city of Tegea—its sight was believed to be enough to send enemies fleeing. Ancient scholars and historians attempted to rationalise the myth of the Gorgones. Some suggested that they were fearsome animals with long hair, whose appearance alone was enough to paralyse or kill. This belief was taken so seriously that some claimed soldiers under the Roman general Marius met their deaths in this manner. Pliny the Elder, in his Natural History, speculated that the Gorgones were actually a race of savage, swift, and hairy women, while Diodorus Siculus described them as a tribe of women inhabiting the western regions of Libya, ultimately exterminated by Heracles. These attempts to explain the legend, though varied, lack strong credibility. The myth of Medusa, passed down through generations, remains one of the most enduring in Greek mythology. Whether viewed as a terrifying monster, a cursed mortal, or a symbolic figure, Medusa’s story continues to captivate and inspire interpretations in both ancient and modern contexts. Daughter of Phorcys and Ceto, she had issue by Poseidon. |
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