The True myth of Medusa: The Protective Power of the Snake–Haired Gorgon

In ancient Greek mythology, Medusa is the most famous of three monstrous sisters known as the Gorgons. 

The earliest known record of the story of Medusa and the Gorgons can be found in Hesiod’s Theogony. 

According to this ancient author, the three sisters, Sthenno, Euryale, and Medusa, were the children of Phorcys and Ceto and lived “beyond famed Oceanus at the world’s edge hard by Night”. Of the three, only Medusa is said to be mortal. 

But she is also the most famous and the myth of her demise at the hands of Perseus is often recounted.

Cursed on Medusa:

Ovid’s Metamorphoses. In this work, Ovid describes Medusa as originally being a beautiful maiden. 

Her beauty caught the eye of Poseidon, who desired her and proceeded to ravage her in Athena’s shrine. 

When Athena discovered the sea god had ravaged Medusa in her shrine she sought vengeance by transforming Medusa’s hair into snakes so that anyone who gazed at her directly would be turned into stone.

The powers of Medusa's head:

When the blood dripped from Medusa’s head onto the plains of Libya, each drop of blood transformed into venomous serpents. 

The power of Medusa’s head is seen again when Perseus encountered the Titan Atlas. 

When Perseus asked Atlas for a place to rest for a short while, his request was refused. 

Knowing that he would not be able to defeat the Titan with brute force alone, he took out Medusa’s head and Atlas was turned into a mountain.

Today, the most well-known image of Medusa’s head belongs perhaps to the logo of the Italian fashion company, Versace. 

And let’s not forget that Medusa also made headline gaming news in the not-so-distant past as a tough boss battle for players in the newest game of the popular Assassin’s Creed franchise