Most myths have her as the black sheep of the family. ( Public Domain ) Keeping the Medusa Myth Alive . Written by – David Tee - AncientPages.com, Copyright © AncientPages.com All rights reserved. Yet, when her head was given to Athena by Perseus, Athena used her image on armor and a shield. It's where your interests connect you with your people. On a boast, Perseus sought Medusa out to vanquish her once and for all. was awed by the beauty of the place and couldnât help but think of how grateful they were to Athena, goddess of wisdom, for inspiring them and for watching over their city of Athens. While others work and play and learn, you do little but boast and admire Tumblr is a place to express yourself, discover yourself, and bond over the stuff you love. Once upon a time, a long time ago there lived a beautiful maiden named Medusa. Medusa is a monster who can petrify people to stone if they look her directly in her eyes. 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And with that, Athena sent Medusa with her hair of snakes to live with the blind monsters -- the gorgon sisters -- at the ends of Medusa was turned into a hideous monster who took all lives that merely gazed upon her face. Perseus’ friend Dictys took the throne and, now finished with the relic, Perseus gave Medusa’s head to Athena, who wears it on her aegis whenever she goes into battle. Once the challenge was issued by the king, Perseus had no choice but to do battle with Medusa. The myths have it that Neptune, or in some stories Poseidon, impregnated Medusa after their brief encounter. Medusa . Athene, befriedigt durch ihren Sieg über Medusa, befestigte nach Perseus Reise das Haupt der Gorgone an ihren Schild. Athena, enraged at the desecration of her temple, turned her into a mortal Gorgon. whispered that she would have made a much better subject for the sculptor than Athena had. It was decorated with amazing sculptures and paintings. Athena stond dit niet toe omdat ze schrik had dat de mensen niet haar maar Medusa om haar schoonheid zouden prijzen. It is said that Perseus used Medusa’s severed head to turn Atlas into stone, whereby he created the Atlas Mountains located in North Africa. Was Medusa always a monster, one that was hiding under her beautiful skin? She is also captured in a large marble statue, as well as embodied in a famous cup by Douris. even if it were -- there is more to life than beauty alone. He was given special weapons to defeat her and escape from her monstrous siblings. And by my Everyone, that is, except Medusa. wasted on Athena for I am so much prettier than she is â perhaps some day people will build an even grander temple to my beauty.â. Perseus Confronting Phineus with the Head of Medusa by Sebastiano Ricci. It's where your interests connect you with your people. âMedusa, for your pride this has been done. Once upon a time, a long time ago âVain and foolish girl,â Athena said angrily, âYou think you are prettier than I am! She was the beautiful one in a family of ugly monsters. Contact Us ⢠Her hair twisted and thickened into horrible The Parthenon was Unfortunately, Medusa was very proud of her beauty and thought or spoke of little else. Since Athena put Medusa’s severed head into her shield and breastplate, Medusa’s face also became a popular design on such defensive weaponry. It is hard to say though. While little is written of her life, probably because no one survived an encounter with her, we do have the story of her death. However, the immortal feud between Athena and Poseidon affects much more than just those two; it splits Olympus and ruins many lives. Although it did not have the stone turning power once held by Medusa, the lock of her hair could still terrify opposing hardened warriors. But Athena being jealous of Medusa's beauty and threatened from the people who love the young lady, she didn't help Medusa and let Poseidon raped her. She admired They used her likeness on ship beams and other weapons of war. Medusa’s Name Means To Protect This is the irony of it all. When Medusa saw the artwork, she commented that the Mysterious Skull Cult At Göbekli Tepe – Ancestor Worship Or Trophies Of Dead Enemies? Terms of Service ⢠Death did not stop Medusa from reproducing though. There is a question or two that needs to be asked here. Each day she boasted of how The myths depict her transformation into the monster as incredibly painful. After Medusa and Poseidon desecrated Athena's virgin temple, Athena cursed Medusa and her sisters. Her transformation began shortly after that. the largest temple to the goddess Athena in all the land. Medusa Catches Poseidon’s Eye. She initially gave it to Hercules who gave it to Cepheus’ daughter, so she could protect her town. David Tee - AncientPages.com - Depending on the myth version you read, Medusa was not always a monster. Tumblr is a place to express yourself, discover yourself, and bond over the stuff you love. Perseus with the head of Medusa, Benvenuto Cellini (1554). Ze woonde echter, tot haar verdriet, in een land waar nooit de zon scheen. Legend states that Medusa was once a beautiful, avowed priestess of Athena who was cursed for breaking her vow of celibacy. pretty she was and each day her boasts became more outrageous. 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Her features also changed and were so ugly, that whoever looked at her face was turned into stone. afternoon as she drew water for her father's horses -- often forgetting to fetch the water in her distraction. Or did she turn into a monster once she saw that she lost her looks over what may have been an innocent connection in the wrong place? However, the immortal feud between Athena and Poseidon affects much more than just those two; it splits Olympus and ruins many lives. On Tuesday, she commented to the blacksmithâs son that her eyes were greener than And when Medusa reached the altar she sighed happily and said, âMy this is a beautiful temple. Medusa was banished from civilization.