by Linda Ann Nickerson

Created on: February 12, 2007   Last Updated: May 08, 2007

MEDUSA: THE MADAME OF MONSTROSITY

In ancient Greek mythology, Medusa was a gruesome female monster (or Gorgon), whose hideousness turned men and women to solid stone at a single glance. Her name ("Medousa"), in ancient Greek, probably meant "guardian" or "protectress."

Of the three mythological Gorgons (Euryale, Medusa and Stheno), Medusa was the only mortal one.

MEDUSA'S MYTHOLOGICAL STORY

A beautiful maiden with luscious and soft hair, Medusa apparently angered Athena. According to Greek mythology, the goddess felt threatened by the young woman's loveliness and transformed her gorgeous hair into live, slithering serpents.

In the transformation, Medusa's body became a dragon's form. According to some accounts, Athena was punishing Medusa for sleeping with Poseidon (who was also called Neptune) in Athena's temple. Others claim Poseidon ravished Medusa, but Athena's wrath could not be undone.

MEDUSA'S DOWNFALL

Warrior Persius (the son of Zeus), armed with Athena's mirrored bronze shield, Hades' helmet, and Hermes' winged shoes, crept up to Medusa while she slept. Persius used the reflection in the shield to guide his way towards the sleeping Gorgon.

Without looking at her, so as to avoid being transformed into stone, Persius cut off Medusa's snake-laden head and presented it to Athena. Because the helmet of Hades made him invisible, Perseus was able to escape the other Gorgons and return safely to Athena with Medusa's severed head.

When Medusa was killed, she was pregnant (by Poseidon). From the gaping wound in Medusa's neck sprung two new creatures: Pegasus (the winged horse) and Chrysaor (the giant with the golden sword).

MEDUSA REVISITED

Medusa appears in Homer's classic epic, THE ODYSSEY. She has long been a popular subject for fine art. Artistic masters, such as Leonardo DaVinci, Peter Paul Rubens, Michelangelo Merisia de Caravaggio, Pablo Picasso, Paul Klee and others have painted her image. Salvador Dali, Benvenuto Cellini, Antonio Canova, and others have sculpted her.

Numismatists may collect Medusa coins. Some still believe that those who touch the mystical coins with their bare hands will turn to stone.

Incidentally, in modern times, Medusa has become a Marvel Comics superhero, with powers in her long, thick red hair.

SOURCES:
http://rg.ancients.info/medusa/article. html
http://www.ancientsculpturegallery.com/222.html
h ttp://www.arthistory.sbc.edu/imageswomen/papers/kott kegorgon/gorgonmyth.html
http://www.kidzworld.com/art icle/1792-medusa

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