Though Medusa was known to be a desirable young maiden, she decided to pledge herself to Athena – the goddess she considered to be the most powerful of all those who resided on Mount Olympus. Their anger for being wrongfully punished made them turn against the mortals of the world in spite – they would all go on to kill many men, though Stheno would be the most vengeful of the three. It was after the Gorgon sisters were wrongfully punished by Athena that their horrific transformation really began. There are varying accounts of how Euryale and Stheno became the feared Gorgons we see in literature, though many sources claim that the two sisters were turned into monsters for the perceived ‘crime’ of standing with Medusa instead of being compliant with Athena’s decision to punish her for being ravished in her temple. Medusa was one of the Gorgon sisters, though unlike Euryale and Stheno she was a mortal. Together, they were known to have birthed some of the most fearsome creatures in Greek mythology.Ĭeto and Phorcys’ offspring included Echidna (mother of all monsters), the Gorgons, the Graeae (‘the grey withes’ – three sisters best known for sharing one eye amongst themselves), and Ladon (a dragon that guarded the golden apples in the Garden of the Hesperides). Her mother, Ceto, was also a primordial sea goddess. Her father, Phorcys, was known to be a primordial sea god who had a fish tail, crab-like forearms, and red, spiky skin. Medusa’s family is known for their fierce features and impressive power.
Her history is very important in terms of context to what she became and how she impacted history. To understand Medusa’s transformation, it is important to first understand where she came from. Though her life itself may not have been given much consideration in ancient records, the many things that came from her death would go on to impact ancient mythology in countless ways. Most of what we know of Medusa comes from her short time serving in Athena’s temple and the way in which her head was used after she was beheaded by Perseus. While Medusa is known to be one of the most famous monsters in Greek mythology, there is relatively little that is recorded of her existence before she was beheaded by Perseus. Because she had allowed herself to be defiled in Athena’s temple, Athena transformed her into the most hideous of all the Gorgons and made her features so terrible to behold that she could instantly turn a man into stone if he were to gaze at her directly. Eventually, Medusa was known to have been transformed into a beast that would be feared by all because she was considered responsible for the desecration of Athena’s temple. However, her time as a beautiful maiden was not to last forever. The story of Medusa and her sister’s transformation into the dreaded Gorgons is both tragic and insightful. However, unlike her other sisters (Sthenno and Euryale), Medusa was a mortal and therefore vulnerable to the perils of the human world. She was born on an island named Sarpedon – which is thought to be somewhere in the general area of Cisthene – and was known to have been one of the Gorgon sisters. Medusa was the daughter of Phorcys and Ceto (though some sources claim Gorgon is her father). Whatever you do, keep your eyes down – or accept your fate as the newest décor in this lonely sculpture garden.
#Medusa goddess skin
Though her voice may be sweet and her skin fair as the snow, Medusa carries the weight of Athena’s wrath. Should you see the form of a fair maiden in the shadows and hear the hiss of a snake, beware! If you should look into the eyes of the young maiden that is now just a few steps away, you will cease to exist as flesh and blood. On the isle of Sarpedon, watch where you wander – if you aren’t careful you may find yourself in a garden of stone figures.
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