It is in the Roman poet Ovid's Metamorphoses that her story is most deeply elaborated. She was lovely, according to the poem—until she was raped in Athena's temple by Poseidon. Athena then punished her for this violation, by turning her into the monstrous, stony-glanced creature that we know.

How did Medusa got cursed?

When Medusa had an affair with the sea god Poseidon, Athena punished her. She turned Medusa into a hideous hag, making her hair into writhing snakes and her skin was turned a greenish hue. Anyone who locked gaze with Medusa was turned into stone.

How was Medusa a victim?

Medusa “the Victim” This is the myth that explains the origins of Medusa and how she was transformed into a monster after being blamed by Athena for getting raped by Poseidon.

When did Medusa turn into a monster?

In a late version of the Medusa myth, by the Roman poet Ovid (Metamorphoses 4.794–803), Medusa was originally a beautiful maiden, but when Neptune/Poseidon had sex with her in Minerva/Athena's temple, Minerva punished Medusa by transforming her beautiful hair into horrible snakes.

Why was Medusa so angry?

Medusa was banished from her civilization and sent to an island by herself. She was alone and only saw men trying to kill her. She looked at them in fear and saw them turn to stone in front of her. She was scared of her powers and angry at the gods for cursing her.

The Story Of Medusa - Greek Mythology Explained

What is Medusa's real story?

The snake-haired Medusa does not become widespread until the first century B.C. The Roman author Ovid describes the mortal Medusa as a beautiful maiden seduced by Poseidon in a temple of Athena. Such a sacrilege attracted the goddess' wrath, and she punished Medusa by turning her hair to snakes.

Who was the ugliest god?

Hephaestus. Hephaestus is the son of Zeus and Hera. Sometimes it is said that Hera alone produced him and that he has no father. He is the only god to be physically ugly.

Is Medusa evil or good?

The name Medusa prompts terrifying images in the minds of many – of an evil monster that can turn one to stone with a single look, with writhing serpents for hair.

Was Medusa raped by Perseus?

Medusa. The Medusa we know was raped by Poseidon in the goddess Athena's temple. Athena then punished her for desecrating her sacred space by cursing Medusa with a head full of snakes and a gaze that turns men to stone. Then, a heroic Perseus severed the serpent-headed Medusa, turning her into a trophy.

Why did Athena punish Medusa and not Poseidon?

Poseidon was a god, and Athena was a goddess. She was not powerful enough to punish Poseidon. He is a elder god, which makes him second only to Zeus.

Is Medusa a villain or hero?

Type of Villain

These sisters comprised a race of monsters known as Gorgons and Medusa was the only one of them that could be killed, she was said to be able to turn people to stone with a glance: her hair was said to be made of snakes and she has become one of the most iconic Greek monsters of all time.

Was Athena jealous of Medusa?

The Goddess of wisdom, Athena, is jealous of Medusa's beauty. Because of this, she summons Perseus, the son of the god Zeus and the mortal Danae, for a mission. The mission seems simple enough: to behead the monster that is Medusa.

How did Poseidon seduce Medusa?

Her beauty caught the eye of the sea god Poseidon, who proceeded to rape her in the sacred temple of Athena. Furious at the desecration of her temple, Athena transformed Medusa into a monster with the deadly capacity to turn whoever looked upon her face to stone.

Who is the most badass goddess?

8 Women From Mythology Who Were Badass Even Before The Term Was Coined

1. Kali - the slayer of evils. ...
2. Hel - goddess of the dead. ...
3. Anat - the goddess of sexual love. ...
4. Amaterasu - the source of light. ...
5. Ix - Chel - the moon goddess. ...
6. Louhi - the goddess of death. ...
7. Mami Wata - the river goddess. ...
8. Tiamat - the goddess of the ocean.

Who put the curse of Medusa?

Zeus impregnated Medusa in a temple of Athena, a powerful Greek goddess. This unholy act in the temple of a virgin goddess so enraged Athena that she put a curse on Medusa to rid her of her beauty.

What does a Medusa Tattoo mean for a girl?

From Ancient Greek mythology, the story can be interpreted in many ways; to some, Medusa represents female power, freedom, and transformation, but she has evil and jealous qualities to others. Her reptilian skin and hair could also symbolize a cycle of death and rebirth.

Did Poseidon and Medusa have a child?

In Greek mythology, Chrysaor (Greek: Χρυσάωρ, Chrysáor, gen.: Χρυσάορος, Chrysáoros; English translation: "he who has a golden sword" [from χρυσός, "golden" and ἄορ, "sword"]), was the brother of the winged horse Pegasus, often depicted as a young man, the son of Poseidon and Medusa, born when Perseus decapitated the ...

Why did Medusa become a Gorgon?

According to Apollodorus' version of the myth, Athena was angry with Medusa because she had claimed to be more beautiful than the goddess. In both cases, however, the result was the same. In the end, Athena turned Medusa into a figure of horror, a Gorgon with venomous snakes instead of hair.

What was Medusa's character flaw?

Vainness means excessively proud of or concerned about one's own appearance, qualities and achievements. Since Medusa was a woman she would represent women rage meaning violent uncontrolled anger because she would turn men to stone. She would feel jealous because she was different.

What was Medusa's power?

Powers. Trichokinesis:Medusa possesses prehensile hair, and she can not only control the growth and movement of it, but can maneuver each strand individually. Uncontrolled, her tougher-than-steel hair is naturally more than six feet long. She maintains this control even when the hair has been cut from her head.

Why is Medusa a feminist icon?

She was cold, calculated, and terrifying. Now, the same generation has turned her into a feminist icon with a story too many can relate to; instead of being a symbol of fear, Medusa has become the symbol of justice for sexual assault victims.

Who is the god of poop?

Sterculius, the Roman God of Feces.

Who is the god of stupidity?

In Greek mythology, Koalemos (Ancient Greek: Κοάλεμος) was the god of stupidity, mentioned once by Aristophanes, and being found also in Parallel Lives by Plutarch. Coalemus is the Latin spelling of the name.

Who is the prettiest god?

Aphrodite was the most beautiful of all the Goddesses and there are many tales of how she could encourage both Gods and humans to fall in love with her.

What happened to Medusa after she was killed?

For Medusa was pregnant at the time of her death, and when Perseus severed her head, her two unborn children, Chrysaor and Pegasus, suddenly sprang from her neck.