What is Medusa best known for?
Medusa is best known for having hair made of snakes and for her ability to turn anyone she looked at to stone, literally to petrify. According to Hesiod’s Theogony, she was one of three Gorgon sisters born to Keto and Phorkys, primordial sea gods; Medusa was mortal, while the others, Stheno and Euryale, were immortal.
What are 3 facts about Medusa?
Medusa: Facts About the Ancient Greek Gorgon
- Medusa was originally a beautiful woman with long golden hair.
- Medusa spent some time wandering in Africa.
- Anyone looking directly at Medusa would be instantly turned to stone.
- Perseus is one of the most famous of the Greek heroes.
What are Medusa’s virtues?
Medusa was a very beautiful human. She grew up and became a chaste priestess in one of Athena’s temples. Medusa was very Beautiful and many men wanted to marry her, but to remain a priestess of Athena’s Medusa had to remain chaste and virtuous.
Does Medusa eat?
When Athena wouldn’t grant her permission, Medusa was displeased. She accused Athena of being jealous of her beauty. Athena fought back by turning Medusa’s hair into flesh eating snakes and turning anyone who looked into her eyes, to stone.
Who was Medusa and what was her role in Greek mythology?
In Greek mythology, Medusa ( / mɪˈdjuːzə, – sə /; Ancient Greek: Μέδουσα “guardian, protectress”) also called Gorgo, was one of the three monstrous Gorgons, generally described as winged human females with living venomous snakes in place of hair. Those who gazed into her eyes would turn to stone.
What kind of art does Medusa appear on?
Hesiod’s Shield of Herakles describes an illustration of the myth of Perseus and the Gorgons on the hero’s shield. More commonly, the gorgoneion is the central motif on the aegis of Athena. Depictions of the goddess in both vase painting (63.11.6; 34.11.7) and sculpture (24.97.15) include the head of Medusa on her chest.
What did Athena do with Medusa’s severed head?
Athena also makes use of the remaining blood that still comes forth from Medusa’s severed head. It is said that the blood that came from the left side of her head had the power to take life, while the blood from the right side of her head had the power to resurrect the dead. This power was given to Asclepius who used it accordingly.
Why was Medusa important to the feminist movement?
Stephen Wilk, author of Medusa: Solving the Mystery of the Gorgon, questioned Medusa’s enduring status among the feminist movement. He believes that one reason for her longevity may be her role as a protector, fearsome and enraged.
