Myth of Medusa

Before the Transformation

• Medusa was initially a young woman.
• Worshipped at the temple of Athena, goddess of wisdom and war.

Encounter with Poseidon

• Poseidon, god of the seas, watched Medusa.
• He assaulted her in Athena's temple.

Athena's Wrath

• Athena punished Medusa for the desecration of her shrine.
• Transformed Medusa into a monstrous Gorgon with snakes for hair.
• Medusa’s gaze could turn men to stone.

Sanctuary and Mortality

• Medusa sought refuge with Stheno and Euryale, other Gorgons.
• Unlike them, Medusa remained mortal.

Perseus' Quest

• Perseus was the son of Danae and Zeus (in the form of golden rain).
• Driven by prophecy, Perseus embarked on a quest to kill Medusa.

Preparation and Tools

• Perseus obtained:
  • Hermes’ winged sandals.
  • Hades’ cap of invisibility.
  • A special satchel for Medusa's head.
  • A sword from Hermes.
  • Athena provided a shield that acted as a mirror.

The Confrontation

• Perseus killed Medusa with guidance from Athena’s reflective shield.
• From Medusa's blood emerged Pegasus and Chrysaor.

Aftermath

• Perseus used Medusa’s severed head to defeat King Polydektes.
• Gifted Medusa’s head to Athena, who placed it on her shield.

Cultural Impact

• Medusa's face became emblematic in Greek and Roman art.
• Served as an apotropaic symbol, offering both fear and protection.

Variations in Her Story

• Earliest versions depict Medusa always as a Gorgon.
• In other versions, like Ovid’s, she has a sympathetic backstory, highlighting themes of cruelty and injustice.