Medusa (mythology)

In Greek mythology, Medusa ("ruler") also meaning "queen", wasonly mortal ofthree gorgon sisters (gorgons being vicious female monstersbrass hands, sharp fangshairliving, venomous snakes). She wasdaughterPhorcysCeto.

Medusa wasmortal woman whom Athena changed intoGorgon as punishmentdesecrating her temple by sleepingPoseidon there. Some say that Poseidon raped her, while others say that she willingly had intercoursehimAthena's sanctuary. Nonetheless, when Athena became awarethese activities going onher temple, she became enraged. It may have been jealousy that provoked Athenaturn Medusa frombeautiful woman intogorgon,Medusa was reputedbe pulchritudinous,her hair was particularly splendid. When Athena came upon MedusaPoseidon (also an arch-rivalAthena's since he vieddominance over Athens, Athena offeringolive tree, Poseidon,horse), she turned Medusa's beautiful hair into snakey tendrilsbanished her tofar ends ofearth beyondHyperborean lands where she remainedher sisters.

Meanwhile,Argosian king, Acrisius, heard an oracle that told him that if his daughter, Danae, gave birth toson, this grandson would kill him. In an effortdefyoracle, he locked Danae up inbrazen tower. There Zeus cameher asshowergold, impregnating her. Incarcerated, Danae gave birth toson, Perseus. Whenking Acrius heardclamor ofchild, he realized that his effortsimprison his daughter werevain. He locked Danaeher new born son Perseus up inwooden chest,cast them intosea.

Drifting insea,fisherman Dictys scooped them uphis nettookmotherchild toislandSeriphos, where his brother Polydectes reigned. There Perseus grew. Some say that Polydyctes wantedmarry Danae,it wassave his mother frommarriage that Perseus offeredgo offslay Medusa, while others say that since all guests broughthorse asmarriage gift, Perseus, having no gift, offeredgo offbring Medusa asfitting wedding giftPolydyctes. Whateverreason, Perseus leftislandSeriphosset off, intentreturnMedusa.

Medusa was killed by Perseusaid from AthenaHermes. After Perseus used Medusa's headkill Phineas, he gave itAthena, who placedon her shield,aegis.

From Medusa's blood sprang two children by Poseidon: PegasusChrysaor.