Perseus was the son of zeus and danae, the daughter of acrisius of argos. For a poetic account, see the ending of the fourth book of ovids metamorphoses. She was born on an island named sarpedon which is thought to be somewhere in the general area of cisthene and was known to have been one of the gorgon sisters. Perseus has got medusa s head, which is certainly a kind of reward. In the oldest greek mythological tales, there were three gorgons, of which medusa was but one. Although the story of medusa is not told in the metamorphoses, she appears in book four. Since then he has written for numerous publishers, including a story for marvels. Devils gate by thea harrison, sweet venom by tera lynn childs, medusa, a love story by sasha summers, the deep end of the sea b. We examine how she became the monster that she is so widely regarded as. For medusa was pregnant at the time of her death, her two unborn children, chrysaor and pegasus, sprang from her blood. The legend of medusa the earliest known record about the myth of medusa and the gorgons can be found in hesiods theogony. Perseus return journey to seriphos was a long one, and stopping off in aethiopia perseus discovered that andromeda was to be sacrificed to a sea. When medusa had an affair with the sea god poseidon, athena punished her. Pegasus in greek mythology greek legends and myths.
The classic stories of mythology have been repeatedly mined for inspiration and reinterpreted for modern times, and have been an ongoing trend in young adult literature. Legend says while she was there baby snakes dropped from her head and this is why there are plenty of snakes in africa. Find out everything in this article on the grecian gorgon medusa. In a late version of the medusa myth, related by the roman poet ovid. The short story and myth of medusa the myth about medusa is featured in the book entitled old greek stories by james baldwin published in 1895 by the american book company. In both greek and roman mythology, perseus, attempting to rescue his mother danae from the coercive king polydectes, needed to embark on the dangerous venture of retrieving medusas head. Medusa was the daughter of phorcys and ceto though some sources claim gorgon is her father. Medusa, in greek mythology, the most famous of the monster figures known as gorgons.
The cover featured the image of the gorgon medusa by froggi lupton, which the editors on the inside cover explained can be a map to guide us through our terrors. Oct 22, 2015 the legend of medusa the earliest known record about the myth of medusa and the gorgons can be found in hesiods theogony. Aug 24, 2017 the classic stories of mythology have been repeatedly mined for inspiration and reinterpreted for modern times, and have been an ongoing trend in young adult literature. Archaeologists unearth marble head of medusa at roman. Sep, 2019 the story of how medusa was killed by perseus is one of the most thrilling stories in greek mythology. Medusa is the mortal one of the three gorgon sisters and is often called gorgon medusa.
Most sources describe her as the daughter of phorcys and ceto, although the author hyginus makes. As for agatha, she is not guilty of anything either. Jul 22, 2019 greek mythology books retellings, translations, and commentary continue to be some of my favorite reads. The earliest known record about the story of medusa and the gorgons can be found in hesiods theogony. Aug 20, 20 medusa was a formidable foe, since her hideous appearance was able to render any onlooker into stone. Golden child medusa is probably the most misunderstood villain in all of grecoroman mythology, famous only for being a monster. The mythological greek hero perseus performed a service to mankind by ridding the world of her fearsome power. There was a blinding flash of light, and we stood in a beautiful villa, just right for two people. Zeus ruled the entire universe no one was mightier than the mighty zeus. Most sources describe her as the daughter of phorcys and ceto. Apr 18, 2019 in ancient greek mythology, medusa is the most famous of three monstrous sisters known as the gorgons. Perseus has got medusas head, which is certainly a kind of reward. The story of medusa and athena written and illustrated by leanne guenther once upon a time, a long time ago there lived a beautiful maiden named medusa.
Whispers ran through all the people in the temple who quickly began to leave for everyone knew that athena enjoyed watching over the people of athens and feared what might happen if the goddess had overheard medusas rash remarks. Perseus and medusa graphic greek myths and legends nick saunders on. These stories address the roots and themes of medusas story in widely different ways, but each gives the woman of the myth a more. Medusa was a formidable foe, since her hideous appearance was able to render any onlooker into stone. Common core editions and millions of other books are available for amazon kindle. Today we look at one of the most misunderstood characters in greek mythology, medusa. Perseus, one of the most famous of the legendary heroes of ancient times, was the son of zeus and danae, daughter of acrisius, king of argos. Many of these wonderful books with greek mythological themes are often accompanied by fantastic illustrations making them great for the imaginative minds of kids and teenagers. Thea harrison goodreads author shelved 9 times as medusa avg rating 3. See more ideas about perseus and medusa, mythology, greek mythology. The story of medusa zeus, hera and little io greek.
Wilk begins by refamiliarizing readers with the story through ancient authors and classical. Pegasus, symbolizes her mothers gentleness and beauty. Hesiod would write, in the theogony that the three gorgons were euryale, sthenno and medusa, with these three monstrous sisters being the offspring of phorcys and ceto. Throughout greek mythology, medusa has always remained a rather enigmatic and interesting figure in her own right. In ancient greek mythology, medusa is the most famous of three monstrous sisters known as the gorgons.
Such stories serve as a doorway to enter the world of the ancient greeks and romans. The hunt for medusas head a greek myth graphic myths and legends storrie, paul d. Learn medusa mythology exam with free interactive flashcards. His first published work was the comic book series robyn of sherwood in 1998. 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 worlds edge hard by night. Adapted from the myths and legends of ancient greece and rome by e. In ancient greek mythology, medusa is the most famous of three monstrous sisters, known as the gorgons. Its an indian legend and a pretty cool one at that, hence their inclusion in my island of fog trilogy, particularly the second and third books. Medusa s visage has since been adopted by many women as a symbol of female rage. Naturally, medusas genealogy is described in full in hesiods theogony.
The other two gorgons chase him, but perseus escapes with the help of hades helmet of invisibility a. 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 worlds edge hard by night. Nov 7, 2019 reference images of perseus, medusa and greek mythology. Perseus, in greek mythology, the slayer of the gorgon medusa and the rescuer of andromeda from a sea monster. His nature made him force medusa and athena who was the goddess of virginity and of war thought that this was the violation of the temple and as she could not punish poseidon she punished medusa by. Medusa lived in the city of athens in a country named greece and although there were many pretty girls in the city, medusa was considered the most lovely. The hunt for medusas head a greek myth graphic myths and legends by paul d. She is not considered a goddess or olympian, but some variations on her legend say she consorted with one. When she was worshipping in the temple of athena poseidon comes to the temple. Medusa, who represented female wisdom, was the eldest of two other gorgon sisters, stheino, who represented strength, and the last sister, euryale as universality. He would become one of the great heroes in greek mythology because of his ability to behead the monster, medusa. Perseus finds medusa sleeping and chops off her head.
The story of medusa in greek mythology continued briefly after her decapitation. Pegasus was not born in the normal manner although it might be said that the horse was an offspring of poseidon and medusa. In some variations of the myth, medusa was born a monster like her sisters, described as girded with serpents, vibrating tongues, gnashing their teeth, having wings, brazen claws, and enormous teeth. He was, alongside cadmus and bellerophon, the greatest greek hero and slayer of monsters before the days of heracles. There are so many great books introducing greek myth and legend to young fresh minds, that its worth reminding ourselves of some of the many remarkable books are out there. Medusa project gutenberg selfpublishing ebooks read. The story of medusa greek mythology explained youtube. Medusa was a gods and goddessesvictim, just like every nymph and mortal female in the greek mythology. Legend states that medusa was once a beautiful, avowed priestess of athena who was cursed for breaking her vow of celibacy. Perseus and medusa photo by nightowl on pixabay, perseus and medusa.
Medusa was one of the three gorgons, daughters of phorcys and ceto, sisters of the graeae, echidna, and ladon all dreadful and fearsome beasts. The death of medusa edward burnejones 18331898 pdart100. Well learn all about her background and follow the quest of one fated to clash with her. In this fascinating study of the legend of medusa, stephen r. Perseus, one of the most famous of the legendary heroes of ancient times, was the. In later myths mainly in ovid medusa was the only gorgon to possess snake. A beautiful mortal, medusa was the exception in the family, until she incurred the wrath of athena, either due to her boastfulness or because of an illfated love affair with poseidon.
The hunt for medusas head a greek myth graphic myths and legends. The myth of perseus and medusa explained greek mythology. Medusa, the gorgon, who turns those who gaze upon her to stone, is one of the most popular and enduring figures of greek mythology. Medusa medusa, the daughter of phorcys and ceto is a famous gorgon in greek mythology. Transformed into a vicious monster with snakes for hair, she was. Medusas visage has since been adopted by many women as a symbol of female rage. See more ideas about medusa, medusa myth and mythology. In both greek and roman mythology, perseus, attempting to rescue his mother danae from the coercive king polydectes, needed to embark on the dangerous venture of retrieving medusa s head. A journal of liberation in their issue one, volume six for 1978. The myth of perseus and medusa is one of the best thrillerlike tales in greek mythology with a promising plot that gets more complicated as the story progresses, this myth has a typical hollywoodlike scenario with the main character not being born yet at the moment when his destiny was determined.
Long after many other figures from greek myth have been forgotten, she continues to live in popular culture. Pegasus is probably the most famous creation to appear in the tales of greek mythology with the imagery of the winged horse still used in modern advertisements and emblems. In later myths mainly in ovid medusa was the only gorgon to possess snake locks, because they. Learn more about the traditional story of perseus in this article. He beheaded the gorgon medusa for polydectes and saved andromeda from the sea monster cetus.
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 worlds edge hard by. The story of how medusa was killed by perseus is one of the most thrilling stories in greek mythology. You can read a prose summary of perseus quest for medusas head in apollodorus library. She was usually represented as a winged female creature having a head of hair consisting of snakes. With the help of athena and hermes magic winged sandals, a cap, a pouch and a mirrorlike shield, he fought her and beheaded her by viewing her image in the. Leonardo da vinci did a painting of her using oil on canvas. If youre still fascinated with greek mythology books, or looking for percy jackson or circe readalikes, youll find the best of them here for adults, teens, and kids alike.
Perseus was born to the god, zeus, and mortal woman, danae, making him a demigod with great strength and intelligent ingenuity. In greek mythology, medusa also called gorgo, was one of the three monstrous gorgons. Learn more about medusa from greek mythology, including legend and. Perseus, adventures of perseus, pegasus, gorgons, phorcys, keto. The curse of medusa from greek mythology thoughtco.
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