Her name in Ancient Greek means guardian, protectress. Sterope used the hair to defend the city and keep it safe. [3] Other authors have proposed still more remote dwelling places, including the obscure Gorgonean Plains near Cisthene in Asia Minor[4] and the island of Sarpedon.[5]. He then used her severed head as a weapon during his travels, turning his enemies to stone. In Egypt, there was a city called Khemmis, which Herodotus records had a temple to Perseus: The people of this Khemmis say that Perseus is seen often up and down this land, and often within the temple, and that the sandal he wears, which is four feet long, keeps turning up, and that when it does turn up, all Egypt prospers. How Did Perseus Save Andromeda From The Sea Monster? Euryale could leap with ease, while Stheno was stronger than her sisters. Kapach, A. She also appeared in the 2010 remake as a monster with a serpentine lower body. The bronze tower has a single door at its base, which is guarded day and night, and at the top is a room fit for a princess, and one which Danae effectively finds herself a prisoner in. Acrisius, not knowing his grandson was present and not being careful as a spectator, was struck by one of these discs and died instantly. The serpentine locks of Medusas hair had an effect very similar to that of the head: while they did not necessarily turn people to stone, they could scatter entire armies. Though many know the story of Medusa and her powers, not as many know about her sisters. Perseus is a godly Greek hero (he was a son of Zeus) whose ancient name just might have modern possibilities along with other so-old-they're-new-again names such as Atticus and Orion. A woman in the midst of an unsavory, unrequested task, she stands naked, her hair a tangle of serpents, a sword in one hand, a severed head in the other. Andromeda was said to be an Ethiopian princess. Accessed May 1, 2023. The name Perseus is boy's name of Greek origin meaning "to destroy". Perseus was the son of Zeus and Dana, the daughter of Acrisius, King of Argos. Representing the intellectual and civilized side of war, she is the divine form of the heroic, martial ideal and personifies excellence in close combat, victory, and glory. He then used the mirrored shield to kill her, looking at Medusas reflection rather than directly at her so that he would not be turned to stone. In a late version of the Medusa myth, related by the Roman poet Ovid, Medusa was originally a ravishingly beautiful maiden, the jealous aspiration of many suitors, but because Poseidon had raped her in Athenas temple, the enraged Athena transformed Medusas beautiful hair to serpents and made her face so terrible to behold that the mere sight of it would turn onlookers to stone. It's hard to imagine Zeus misplacing his thunderbolt, as he does as a crucial plot point in "The Lightning Thief", but stranger things have happened in Greek The Medusa Reader. WebThe Perseus Digital Library is a partner and supporter of Open Greek and Latin, an international collaboration committed to creating an open educational resource featuring Most legends claim that the hero Perseus killed her with help from Hermes and others. If your web page requires an HTML link, please insert this code: . Athena, also spelled Athene, in Greek religion, the city protectress, goddess of war, handicraft, and practical reason, identified by the Romans with Minerva. If you use any of the content on this page in your own work, please use the code below to cite this page as the source of the content. Nonnus: The myth of Medusa, her death, and her monstrous offspring are alluded to throughout the epic poem Dionysiaca (fifth century CE), which relates the travels of the young god Dionysus. The coat of arms of the Dohalice village from the Czech Republic depicts Medusas head. Perseus was the son of Zeus, and the god of gods wanted to protect him on his quest. It came out in 2013 as part of a limited edition series.-Many people use an image of her head because they believe it will protect them from others. Another account in the same text says that Procles, a Carthaginian, believed Medusa to be a Wild Woman of Libya, a form of big-foot, who would harass the people in nearby towns. According to Pausanias, they say that the god, having made war on Perseus, afterward laid aside his enmity, and received great honors at the hands of the Argives, including this precinct set specially apart for himself.. Perseus, upon saving his mother, returned to Argos. Blame Hera. The myths of Medusa are addressed in Book 3. Poseidon took special interest in her, and one day came down to Athenas shrine and raped the poor woman. The name Medusa was likely derived from the Greek verb medein (to guard, protect). Pausanias, in his Description of Greece, offers a historical version of Medusa that may be worth mentioning. Apollonius of Rhodes, Argonautica 4.1515; Ovid, Metamorphoses 4.770; Lucan, Civil War 9.820. According to most sources, she had two sisters that lived alongside her. Perseus was eventually the person to kill his grandfather. Every contribution, however big or small, is very valuable for our future. Learn more about our mission. Medusa. Mythopedia, 11 Mar. Joseph Campbell was one historian who believed this theory. In Herodotus Histories, we learn the most about the mortal Perseus, his possible family, and the role his heritage might have played in ancient wars. Diodorus of Sicily, Library of History 3.55. She was made into marble and bronze sculptures. Perseus made a deal if he dealt with the monster, Andromeda would become his wife. Perseus took the beautiful woman with him back to Argos. Though some point to the version of the story where Athena came across Medusa in her temple, others claim that the legend never says whether she willingly agreed to intercourse with Poseidon. Athenas punishment came with great and terrible features. In this myth, the vipers emerged from the droplets of Medusas blood as Perseus flew over the Sahara with the Gorgons severed head. Either way, Perseus was known for boasting and would not shame himself by returning empty-handed. Omissions? Nemesis: Greek Goddess of Divine Retribution, iPhone History: A Timeline of Every Model in Order, US History Timeline: The Dates of Americas Journey, Ancient Civilizations Timeline: The Complete List from Aboriginals to Incans, Why Are Hot Dogs Called Hot Dogs? Athena appears in Homers Odyssey as the tutelary deity of Odysseus, and myths from later sources portray her similarly as helper of Perseus and Heracles (Hercules). Masar Group After killing Medusa, Perseus used her severed head as a weapon, turning many of his enemies to stone. One version of his battle with Atlas claims that Perseus turned his opponent into a mountain. He would then marry the princess, Leda. As for Ariadne, be happy. In ancient Greek astronomy, it represented the head of Medusa. WebAthena appears in Homers Odyssey as the tutelary deity of Odysseus, and myths from later sources portray her similarly as helper of Perseus and Heracles (Hercules). Medusas other child was Pegasus, the beautiful winged horse. In later times, Artists would paint quite detailed works of Perseus holding the head of Medusa, and they would inform similar beheadings, such as David and Goliath, or the beheading of John the Baptist. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Cixous urges women to use this story as a way to take back their own power and escape the control that men have over them. Medusa appeared in dozens of television shows and movies over the years. The gods were well aware of this, and Perseus got help. And sometimes, shes holding a scale, a symbol for justice and balance. The According to Hesiod, Theogony 33335. During that time, Medusa was pregnant by Poseidon. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. Charmed also used Medusa as a character. His bones became stones. Perseus, in Greek mythology, the slayer of the Gorgon Medusa and the rescuer of Andromeda from a sea monster. Perseus was the son of Zeus and Dana, the daughter of Acrisius of Argos. As an infant he was cast into the sea in a chest with his mother by Acrisius, to whom it had been prophesied that he would be killed by his grandson. She claimed that Medusa was the ultimate guardian and protectress of women. Perseus then decapitated her and took her head to use it as a weapon in battle. Herodotus the historian said her home was Libya. Seeing claims that Athena saw Medusa in her temple and instead of catching her in the midst of consensual intercourse, she found Poseidon raping her. Menu. However, other sources gave Scylla different parents. Perseus stayed in Ethiopia where he met Andromeda, daughter of Cassiopeia. Apollonius of Rhodes: The third-century CE epic Argonautica describes the venomous vipers of the Sahara as the offspring of Medusa (4.1505ff). 2023 Nameberry.com.Nameberry is a registered trademark of Nameberry, LLC. Perseus was the child of Danae, a princess of Argos. Mason-Dixon Line Michelangelo and Picasso are just two of the famous artists who created work based on her. Athena immediately added the head to her shield called Aegis. [1], Medusa and her sisters were called the Gorgons. The Helmet of Hades was one of the gifts of the Cyclopes to the young Olympian gods when they first fought the Titans in the Titanomachy. Hesiod: Medusas lineage and her affair with the sea god Poseidon are outlined in the seventh-century BCE epic Theogony. Ogden, Daniel. What Do We Know About Historical Perseus? Pindar, an early Greek poet who lived in the fifth century BCE, described Medusa as fair-cheeked.[7], In ancient art, Medusa was originally depicted as a hideous monster. Herodotus also records that when Xerxes, the Persian king, came to conquer Greece, he attempted to convince the people of Argos that he was the descendent of Perseus, and, therefore their rightful king already. Medusa followed the goddess for many years before she met and fell in love with Poseidon. At the time of her death, no one knew that the creature was with child, one she hoped to raise with Poseidon. She lost all of her looks and found snakes growing in her hair. The nature and purpose of queer art is not something that can be answered with just one article. London: Reaktion Books, 2013. Athena removed a lock of the womans hair and gave it to Hercules. Pegasus was eventually tamed by the hero Bellerophon.[18]. The items brought by Perseus were integral to the killing of the Gorgon Medusa. Medusa represents philosophy, beauty and art. Pausanias, Description of Greece: A second-century CE travelogue; like Strabos Geography, an important source for local myths and customs. Hold on to your broomstick as we fly through time to check out the delicious and diabolical witch in art history. Hesiod used her in Theogony. There was an alternative story that Zeus swallowed Metis, the goddess of counsel, while she was pregnant with Athena, so that Athena finally emerged from Zeus. Euripedes and Homer each only referred to a single Gorgon, Medusa. There was also a theory established by Helene Cixous in which she claims that the original story of Medusa was quite different. Danaes father, Acrisius, In later artwork, she appears as a more beautiful woman. Unlike other creatures who were mortal, Medusa was mortal and capable of death. Though Athena helped Perseus defect the woman, she knew the powers that her former head held. It was said that Sthenmo and Euryale tried to kill Perseus but could not find him due to the special helmet he wore. The stories about Medusa in Greece are unique because they changed quite a bit over the years. However, Atlas also remembered the sayings of an Oracle, as told by Themis. When she eventually died, Athena took her body into the sky and made her a constellation. [27] The antiquarian Diodorus of Sicily claimed that they were wiped out by Heracles when he traveled through Libya.[28]. This has been proven because she continues to be portrayed in pop culture. chops off the head of Medusa during "The Lightning Thief". Rather than the father of Perseus, Poseidon is a lover of Medusa, a sea monster who Perseus slew. Also in the Iliad, Zeus, the chief god, specifically assigns the sphere of war to Ares, the god of war, and Athena. There are many stories and interpretations of the Gorgon Medusa from Greek mythology and later years. The French military created a special belt during World War I that had her face on it. Interestingly, in all other cultures, including Hebrew and Arabic, it is a head (sometimes Ras Al-gol or demons head). Medusa has made several appearances in modern pop culture. It is now believed to be a work of an anonymous Flemish painter, active ca. However, those myths which mention three women call them sisters, and say that the other two were punished simply because of Medusas transgressions. In 1782, Leonardo da Vincis biographer Luigi Lanzi discovered a depiction of Medusas head which he erroneously attributed to Leonardo, based on a description of Leonardos painting done by Giorgio Vasari. All Rights Reserved. Thanks to it, we will be able to sustain and grow the Magazine. He is best known in Greek mythology as the slayer of Medusa, one of three female creatures, or Gorgons, A Roman cameo from the second or third century contains her head. Zeus. Both Herodotus and Pausanias wrote passages about what they could discover about this king, including his possible connections in Egypt and Persia. Despite releasing the winged horse when he killed Medusa, no ancient mythology has Perseus ever riding Pegasus. The Gorgon came out in 1964 and was a Hammer film that told a modern version of her story. Garber, Marjorie, and Nancy Vickers. This root also appears in other Greek names, including Medea, Medon, and Diomedes. Danae was the firstborn child of King Acrisius, and he was concerned that he would not have a son to take over his kingdom. According to Ovid, as Perseus traveled back to Polydectes, he stopped in the lands of Atlas. In Freuds interpretation: To decapitate = to castrate. No human-made weapon could pierce the armor of the great blacksmith, and only a weapon he made himself had a chance the sword of Hephaestus. While the name Perseus has been given to a number of ships, mountains, and even early computers, the Greek hero doesnt have the same name recognition today as Heracles/Hercules. She claimed that they shamed her for sleeping with one of their members. Fans of mythology might recognize Perseus According to author Jane Ellen Harrison, Medusas power came from her head and anyone who carried it gained that power. One of her works said that similar stories focused on sister trios and that authors likely added Medusas sisters. In Clash of the Titans from 1981, she was a standard villain. WebIn one version of the Medusa story, she was a gorgeous young woman who agreed to become one of Athenas priestesses. However, classical and renaissance artists loved depicting the creature being ridden by the better-known hero, so the two myths are often confused. His entire body, including his head and hair, became part of a mountain range. The goddess was so upset over what she saw and the issues she had with Zeus who was her father that she flew into a rage. Perseus Digital Library. Diodorus of Sicily, Library of History 3.55; Pliny, Natural History 4.31. Though he used it to save his mother, Perseus then went to Argos and buried her head there. She was the daughter of Zeus, produced without a mother, so that she emerged full-grown from his forehead. Unlike other stories that claim she caught them in the throes of passion, this version says that she was upset that her priestess went against her rules. Popularity: 2996. This he gave to Perseus, and it was only ever used once. When Perseus sought a place to rest, Atlas refused him. There, he married Andromeda, and she would live to old age, giving Perseus many children. Rather than die on the field, she was assassinated during the night. Medusa or her Gorgon sisters appear in many video games and role-playing games, including Dungeons and Dragons, God of War, and Final Fantasy. The priestess was able to foretell divine prophecies once filled with the spirit of Apollo. While Athena, the goddess of women and knowledge, was often portrayed as holding a shield, the story of Perseus is the only surviving account of it being used. He handed the kingdom to Dictys, who had protected Danae from his brother. Herodotus found some evidence that she appeared in Berber mythology where she was a major part of their religion. 1600. Aeschylus, Prometheus Bound 798800, trans. All stories of Medusa sprang from this event. Ovid: The myths of Medusa and her killer Perseus are described in Books 4 and 6 of the epic Metamorphoses (ca. Th. Medusa. Mythopedia, March 11, 2023. https://mythopedia.com/topics/medusa. From then on she roamed, shamed, shunned and loathed by everyone. Krauskopf, Ingrid. Corrections? Elizabeth Johnston released an essay in 2016 where she talked about how men used the legend as a way to disparage Hillary Clinton as she ran for President. When Ovid wrote her story in Metamopheses, he claimed that she was born beautiful before becoming a snake-haired creature and retained her looks over the years. It is said that the priestesses of Chorea, women who followed Dionysus, were slaughtered by Perseus and his followers and dumped into a communal grave. He had built a wall around his fields, and protected them with a dragon. Accessed on 28 Apr. While the books are filled with characters and tropes from Greek mythology, they are original tales set in modern times. In order to keep Dana childless, Acrisius imprisoned her in a bronze chamber, open to the sky, in the courtyard of his palace: This mytheme is also connected to Ares, Oenopion, Eurystheus, and others. March 08, 2023. Hermes, the messenger of the Greek gods, wore winged sandals that let him fly at supernatural speed around the world to pass messages between gods, and also bring warnings and prophesies to mortals. In some stories, it was only then that he went and killed Proteus, but the chronology is different throughout history. He was conceived when Zeus came to Danae disguised as a shower of gold. She was a beautiful maiden with golden hair. This piece dates back to around 450 BC. Perseus Uses Medusas Head as a Weapon. The Seven Faces of Dr. Lao came out the same year and told the traditional story of Medusa. When she found them together, Athena transformed her into a woman with serpents in her hair and a cold stare. 1 And having wedded Earth, he begat first the Hundred-handed, as they are named: Briareus, Gyes, Cottus, who were unsurpassed in size and might, each of them having a hundred hands and fifty heads. Andromeda had been left chained to a rock as a sacrifice to a sea monster. She was essentially urban and civilized, the antithesis in many respects of Artemis, goddess of the outdoors. For Perseus to take his place as King would be considered a good thing for many of the people of Argo. Accessed April 4, 2021. http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0104%3Aalphabetic+letter%3DG%3Aentry+group%3D9%3Aentry%3Dgorgo-bio-1. Though both were marine deities, their children were chthonic monsters. iPhone History: A Timeline of Every Model in Order A History of Witchcraft in Art, 10 Modernists Who Changed the Face of Indian Art. By the fifth century BCE, however, Medusa and the Gorgons were increasingly depicted as beautiful women in the visual arts as in literature.[8]. Medusa by Michelangelo Caravaggio (159596). Mythopedia. Gorgo. In A Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology. Atlas immediately turned to stone, thus becoming the Atlas Mountains. Some legends say Themis created this oracle position while others credit Gaea, who then gave it to her. Priestesses took a vow of chastity and devoted their lives to her. Medusa: In the Mirror of Time. In feminism Medusa is known as a symbol of rage even though she was originally exceedingly beautiful. When Percy travels to a garden to find the Pearl of Persephone with his friends, they stumble across statues and realize they were humans she turned into stone. These children of Poseidon would go on to have their own stories in Greek mythology. Ancient Ethiopians considered Perseus and Andromeda the 2023. She claimed that Medusa was the only real Gorgon and that her sisters were mere additions to her story. Through Mortal Bloodlines, Perseus was the Great-Grandfather of Helen of Troy. Her parents agreed. There Perseus killed the current King, Proteus, and took his place on the throne. The myths of Medusa and Perseus appear in Book 2. In Pompeii, a fresco shows an infant Perseus, holding aloft the Gorgons head, and this pose is replicated in statues and artwork around Greece. The Roman version of her story is the same but changes the location to Minervas temple and her partner to Neptune. Aeschylus, for example, in his fifth-century BCE tragedy Prometheus Bound, described them as three winged sisters, the snake-haired Gorgons, loathed of mankind, whom no one of mortal kind shall look upon and still draw breath.[6] It was said that anybody who looked upon Medusa (or her sisters) was immediately turned to stone.
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