Libya is a very misunderstood name. Check out our Privacy and Content Sharing policies for more information.). It is referred to as Poine or Ker[60] in classical sources, but later in the Medieval period, one source does call it a lamia (First Vatican Mythographer, c. 9th to 11th century).[61][62]. [95] Worded another way, Lamia was emblematic of the hypocrisy of such scholars. [54][55][m][n], Meroe has seduced a man named Socrates, but when he plots to escape, the two witches raid his bed, thrust a knife in the neck to tap the blood into a skin bag, eviscerate his heart, and stuff the hole back with sponge. 180 (trans. [50] The word play is also seen as being employed in Horace's Odes, to banter Lucius Aelius Lamia the praetor. I mostly just say that, although Herodotos does say that Medusa lived in North Africa, there's nothing to indicate that she was originally an African goddess and the story of Medusa was most likely made up by Greeks.The main thing that my answer adds to what you've said here is that I actually address the claim about the dreadlocks by pointing out that the earliest surviving depictions of Medusa, including the famous Kykladic pithos from the early seventh century BCE that depicts her with the lower body of a four-legged horse, don't seem to depict her with snakes for hair. WebMedusa Introduction. He carries a Medusa head that he similarly uses to petrify enemy units. [14] A different authority remarks that Lamia was once queen of the Laestrygonians. Her head never lost its power to turn those who looked at it to stone, and was placed on Athenas shield to ward off evil. From her deadly power to her hideous face, she has all the hallmarks of an enemy of humanity and the gods. Pegasus, the winged horse, emerged from Medusas severed head, apparently conceived during her tryst with Poseidon, who often manifests as a stallion. A gypsy curse associated with him has Lamia torment the victim for three days before having its minions drag them into Hell to burn in its fires for all eternity. As Pallas was about to give Athene a whack, Zeus skittishly held out the aegis, so that she glanced up to protect herself, and thus was wounded by Athene and fell. Such is their tale. They're not intended to be submitted as your own work, so we don't waste time removing every error. . To learn more, read our. She doesn't appear that often in media made before the 80s. [64], In Pausanias's version, the monster is called Poin (), meaning "punishment" or "vengeance", but there is nothing about a snake on her forehead. In this origin, the Gorgons are typically three sisters, the other two being Stheno and Euryale. A complete bibliography of the translations quoted on this page. WebOne of the most popular monsters of Greek Mythology is Medusa. The people of Sparta claimed that Ares had been nursed by a nymph called Thero. She was one of three sisters, all known as creatures named Gorgons. Use left/right arrows to navigate the slideshow or swipe left/right if using a mobile device, Add gift options or sustainable packaging, Free shipping on $150+ & free returns on all U.S. orders. Its entirely up to Berber people to decide whether Medusa is African today. Like many monsters, the Gorgons lived in a cave at the far edge of the world. Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available from thestaff@tvtropes.org. Depending on the version of the story, she either reciprocated, and (with a little help from her sisters) let Poseidon into Athena's temple and slept with him on the altar, or was simply raped by the god. I don't object to you removing the last sentence at all. Godley) (Greek historian C5th B.C.) [84][85] Daniel Ogden argues that one of her possible reincarnations, the monster of Argos killed by Coroebus had a "scaly gait", indicating she must have had an anguipedal form in an early version of the story,[86] although the Latin text in Statius merely reads inlabi (declension of labor) meaning "slides". 1495.). Haha, I was about to cross post a witchvox article about her until I saw you were the author! In the very earliest sources, she lived on an island in the Atlantic. By Sarah Crocker / Aug. 24, 2021 12:30 am EST. None of us can say we know everything about the gods or goddess so none of us should be putting down other people's opinions. It makes us look like a bunch of judging Christians. [65][66], One evidence this may be a double of the Lamia comes from Plutarch, who equates the word empousa with poin. WebMedusa, in Greek mythology, the most famous of the monster figures known as Gorgons. WebFind many great new & used options and get the best deals for MEDUSA BROOCH Pin Gorgo Snake Hair Greek Mythology Gold Tone Costume Jewelry at the best online prices at eBay! Her hair forms long curls that, according to Mattel, foretell the serpents that will become her hair. But that doesnt mean there arent any. A scholiast to Aristophanes claimed that Lamia's name derived from her having a large throat or gullet (; laims). [75], This Lamia of Libya has her double in Lamia-Sybaris of the legend around Delphi, both indirectly associated with serpents. Poets and scholars of all ages knew Her as the Goddess Neith. Yeah, I wrote that article in part to answer this question for myself and to do research for a book I am working on about Goddess Athena. The loss of her children drove Lamia insane, and in vengeance and despair, Lamia snatched up any children she could find and devoured them. Anthropologists and historians regularly tell us, in fact, that Berber as an overarching ethnic category is a comparatively recent phenomenon. Although later details, such as her origins as a beautiful WebSome interpretations argue that Medusa was a Libyan goddess who was equated with Athena before the Greeks defeated them and demonized her as Athena's enemy and She was imported into Greece as one of the Gorgons, daughter of Phorcus and his sister Ceto. Not only is Medusa identified with Libya, she also had dealings with the three Graeae who had the removable eye shared between them. Maidens who die of their wounds are called false virgins. Through the century Medusa became a feminist symbol of the power of feminine rage, leaving the male gaze, and finding independence, in addition to protection. Over time, as the snake hair grows larger, the human parts will eventually shrivel up and die, leaving only the snake heads attached to a snake body. The woman's decision is entirely inconsequential. Lamia is the main antagonist in the 2009 horror movie Drag Me to Hell voiced by Art Kimbro. 490 BCE (British Museum, McDaniel, S. 2020. In ancient Greece and modern times throughout the world, Medusas portrait is recreated on shields, temples, coins, pottery, and pendants as a symbol of protection to ward off evil.. WebAlso known as the Libyan Goddess Neith. [37][36], A representative example is Philostratus's novelistic biography Life of Apollonius of Tyana.[37]. ", "Raised by Wolves: Mother's Real Name Has TERRIFYING Implications", "10 Lamia, Slain by Eurybatus and Others", "The Sweepings of Lamia: Transformations of the Myths of Lilith and Lamia", "Magic and Vampirism in Philostratus' Life of Apollonius of Tyana and Bram Stoker's Dracula", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lamia&oldid=1138177380, Articles with Latin-language sources (la), Articles containing Ancient Greek (to 1453)-language text, Articles with unsourced statements from August 2007, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 8 February 2023, at 12:19. Reading example essays works the same way! There is an ancient metaphysical belief that menstrual blood is the single White and black, as a taxonomy of race, are inventions of the modern era. 180.) It has been recorded more recently by Rumon Gamba conducting the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra for Chandos Records in a 2019 release of British tone poems. And either way, she can still become Berber any time. [97], In Edward Topsell's History of Four-footed Beasts (1607), the lamia is described as having the upper body (i.e., the face and breasts) of a woman, but with goatlike hind quarters with large and filthy "stones" (testicles) that smell like sea-calves, on authority of Aristophanes. Like other myths, such as that of the Minotaur, the story of Medusa and the Gorgons could be based in pre-Mycenaean Greek history. Goddess Medusa. It was their hero Perseus who beheaded our Goddess Medusa. Being poor and without means, Perseus set out to bring the head of the Gorgon Medusa to the king. Assisted in his task by their Goddess Athena whose virgin status in this tales defeats the evil Medusa. It is also believed in these portrayals of Athena, If you feel called to her, though, I'd suggest you follow your instincts. Translating names in this way is called interpretatio graeca. Statues of Medusa were used to guard Pagan Greek temples. Either way, Athena was furious. These monsters had a woman's torso, the lower extremities of a snake, and beastly hands. Lamia receives a section in Georgios Megas and Helen Colaclides, "The Odes: Just where do you draw the line? When Perseus was sent to kill Medusa, a hopeless task he was not expected to survive, Athena orchestrated the assassination. Medusa (Metis) was the destroyer aspect of the Great Triple Goddess also called Neith, Anath, Athene or Ath-enna in North Africa and Athana in 1400 c. BC Minoan Crete. She was doing nothing wrong, living on an island and defending herself after being cursed by the gods, but even then still got killed by some do-gooder hero with a hard on for rulership. Theoi Project Copyright 2000 - 2017 Aaron J. Atsma, Netherlands & New Zealand, (Apollonius Rhodius 4.1493, Hyginus Fab 14). [35], In later classical periods, around the 1st century A. D.,[36] the conception of this Lamia shifted to that of a sultry seductress who enticed young men and devoured them. Another double of the Libyan Lamia may be Lamia, daughter of Poseidon. TRITONIS was the goddess-nymph of the salt-water lake Tritonis in Libya, North Africa. Since this is a trope about a mythological creature, see the trope description above for the most common versions of the mythology. Thats clear from his description of the ethnic mix at Siwa (2.43): he tells us that the people there were a mix of colonists from Egypt and Ethiopia, and they customarily use speech that is in between both. He was well aware of ethnic differences between Siwa and the Nile valley, but interpreted them in terms that were familiar to him. The best explanation of Medusa is, that she was initially a volcano myth. In support of that theory: - She turns people to stone, much like getting Dreadlocks? Probably not although that hairstyle wasnt unknown in the Mediterranean. More likely the snakes were inspired by a head-dress that the - Alfredo Alvarez, student @ Miami University, We use cookies to provide the best possible experience on our site. Some interpretations argue that Medusa was a Libyan goddess who was equated with Athena before the Greeks defeated them and, Another origin is that Medusa and her sisters were so beautiful that they angered Athena by bragging about being more beautiful than the goddess, in any case, Athena turned them into monsters so hideous men would turn to stone if they looked at them. WebMedusa was a Libyan Goddess who was worshiped by The Amazons. 6 (trans. Athena is a goddess of crafts but not just any crafts. [a][14][17], According to the same source, Lamia was taken by Zeus to Italy, and that Lamos, the city of the man-eating Laestrygonians, was named after her. Myth evolves. Judika Isles has her as a living Goddess in her Encyclopedia of spirits. Essay Examples Editing Paper Grader Thesis At the moment of her death, two sons sprung from her blood: Pegasus (the famed winged horse) and Chrysaor. Athenas participation in the destruction of Medusa may be interpreted as the goddess destroying her own past. You can't really say you are "reviving" her worship, rather I think it would be more appropriate to say that you are creating her cultus. There are some variations of the myth in which, despite what wad done to her by Athena, Medusa continued to be faithful and committing rituals for Athena in private since she's, In 2nd edition, medusas are a race resembling elven maidens with serpents for hair and the ability to petrify with their gaze, even affecting creatures on the Ethereal or Astral Planes (into which they can see). Northern Africa with modern names and borders (top), and with ancient Greek names (bottom). Medusas image lived on as that of one of the worst monsters in Greek mythology, but some historians believe that she might not have always been a monster at all. Medusa, to me, is the monstrous version of a heroic mortal. Aeneas didnt originate in Roman myth, but hes still an important part of Roman myth. Both sexes resemble the scaly humanoid from 3rd edition, though with less haggish features. As one of the Gorgons, a trio of winged women with venomous snakes for hair, Medusa ranked among the most feared, powerful monsters to dominate early Greek mythology. Berber itself isnt a grouping by skin colour, it originated as a linguistic grouping. Although the lower body of Draper's Lamia is human, he alludes to her serpentine history by draping a shed snakeskin about her waist. It was assumed, among other godlike attributes, as a royal aegis to imply divine birth or protection, by rulers of the Hellenistic age, as shown, for instance, on the Alexander Mosaic and the Gonzaga Cameo. 14. Classic Medusa, in contrast, is an Oedipal/libidinous symptom. Looking at forbidden mother (in her hair-covered genitals, so to speak) stiffens the subject in illicit desire and freezes him in terror of the Father's retribution. There are no recorded instances of Medusa turning a woman to stone. 1st century BC) gave a de-mythologized account of Lamia as a queen of Libya who ordered her soldiers to snatch children from their mothers and kill them, and WebThe Libyan Berber Goddess Tannit (Neith) Tannit or Neith is originally a Berber Libyan Goddess venerated by the Berbers of North Africa from immemorial times. She resides in the Petrified Temple in the middle of a petrified forest on Lesbos. Many ancient religions used masks in their ceremonies. [73] Pope Gregory I (d. 604)'s exegesis on the Book of Job explains that the lamia represented either heresy or hypocrisy. These could be one goddess with three forms, such as the Morrigan and Brigid in Ireland, or three closely related goddesses who worked together, like the Norns in Norse mythology. No. Medusa was clearly described as having long golden hair when she was still a priestess in Athenas temple. But its not unlikely that the myth (And nope, we don't source our examples from our editing service! We'll take a look right away. Also, in African mythology, Medusa was a Libyan goddess; the serpent goddess of female wisdom. [45] Philostratus's tale was reworked by Keats in his poem Lamia,[83] where it is made clear she bears the guise of a snake, which she wants to relinquish in return for human appearance. to view the complete essay. Rieu) (Greek epic C3rd B.C.) Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses Written by Judika Illes Copyright 2009 by Judika Illes. ", Apollonius Rhodius, Argonautica 4. "He [Amphithemis son of Apollon and Akakallis (Acacallis)] married the Nymphe Tritonis and she gave him two sons, Nasamon and the powerful Kaphauros (Caphaurus). WebDiodorus Siculus ( fl. Coral is allegedly Medusas blood, which spilled into the sea and was petrified. [citation needed]. [14][15], Diodorus's rationalization was that the Libyan queen in her drunken state was as if she could not see, allowing her citizens free rein for any conduct without supervision, giving rise to the folk myth that she places her eyes in a vessel. Some nymphs in Greek mythology were famous, but others were only known in a certain time Hecate Greek Goddess of Witchcraft : The Complete Guide. Historian Herodotus also stated that she was in Libya. A space to share and talk about theistic paganism. Other packaging types available at checkout. [38] The last statement has led to the surmise that this lamia/empusa was a sort of blood-sucking vampiress. 1493 ff (trans. Kibin, 2023, www.kibin.com/essay-examples/the-views-on-medusa-goddess-in-mythology-u4hTw2Vu. Send your order with a custom message. With what armor they equipped their maidens before Greeks came to live near them, I cannot say; but I suppose the armor was Egyptian; for I maintain that the Greeks took their shield and helmet from Egypt. A nymph of lake Tritonis in Libya, who according to an ancient tradition was the mother of Athena by Poseidon. It is later revealed that Modest is a special Medusa who will fortunately not turn into a hydra. Whats the historical low-down? She vowed to be celibate her entire life as a priestess of Athena until she fell in love with Poseidon. Having male medusae with different powers has been done by the game before, as stated above, but this is the first time the concept made it into a core book. We cant be confident how old any of these elements are which ones were understood as part of a standard canonical story, and which ones were invented by individual writers. But I don't see any reason why, if Maasai people were to adopt Medusa into their own mythology and start telling stories about her having been Maasai, she couldn't become Maasai in their mythology. http://www.kibin.com/essay-examples/the-views-on-medusa-goddess-in-mythology-u4hTw2Vu, ("The Views on Medusa Goddess in Mythology. To protect the anonymity of contributors, we've removed their names and personal information from the essays. Yes, she was. As with most historical truths, particularly regarding people of color, that story was been scrubbed from (most) written records. The Medusa Medusa was a Libyan Goddess who was worshiped by The Amazons. Many ancient religions used masks in their rituals, which could explain not only Medusas appearance but also the emphasis on her beheading. : Her image was used in Byzantine Greece to protect pregnant women and newborns. Why, though, were so many gods invested in seeing Medusa destroyed when other monsters received much less attention? For this reason, earrings, bracelets and necklaces featuring Medusa have continued to be sought after by those who wish to protect and celebrate the resilience, emotionality, and empowerment that has long been pushed down in feminine people. She also happens to be the source of the cast's eye powers and creator of the Kagerou Daze world. Besides having serpents for hair, the Gorgons were described as having tusks, brazen claws, wings and strongly acidic blood; in a few very early depictions they are shown as quadrupeds, possibly because Pegasus was born out of Medusa's blood when she was beheaded by Perseus. Nowadays Siwa is mostly Berber. One of mythologys most terrible monsters may have originally been a goddess. Essays may be lightly modified for readability or to protect the anonymity of contributors, but we do not edit essay examples prior to publication. The basis of this identification is the variant maternities of scylla, sometimes ascribed to Lamia (as already mentioned), and sometimes to Hecate. She is a goddess of menstrual power and hence female power. Ancient Greek names are normally built out of meaningful Greek words. For this reason. The Traditional Story of Medusa. An account of Apollonius of Tyana's defeat of a lamia-seductress inspired the poem Lamia by John Keats. "The Views on Medusa Goddess in Mythology." In southern Asia, theres an ancient belief that menstruation indicates possession by snake spirits. The males have different powers, in that they're bald (so no snake-hair attacks) and they can poison with their gaze rather than petrify, rather like certain mythological depictions of the basilisk. Except there is a lot of evidence to the contrary that she wasn't worshiped but used as an apotropaic symbol. Herodotus is responsible for much of the misunderstanding over Medusa being Libyan. In this story she is a powerful monster whom Perseus defeats by decapitating her (and later using her head to petrify enemies) without looking at her he sticks to looking at her shadow or looking through a mirrored shield, depending on the version. Moon (many, including Orpheus disciples, have seen Medusas face in the moon). Please allow a few minutes for this process to complete. Jones) (Greek travelogue C2nd A.D.) : Short answer: no. Long answer:Medusa is part of Greek mythology which has existed longer than the current misinformation of her being an African Go 1493 ff (trans. Thats why Ovid, for example, has Perseus flying eastward over Libya to reach the Mediterranean. After a long journey he found the Gorgons asleep, and successfully beheaded Medusa. In some versions, we'll never know if it was consensual. Forms long curls that, according to an ancient tradition was the goddess-nymph the. With modern names and borders ( top ), and beastly hands in! Many monsters, the Gorgons asleep, and beastly hands Gorgon Medusa to the surmise that this was... Mythology. famous of the cast 's eye powers and creator of the translations quoted this! Is later revealed that Modest is a comparatively recent phenomenon love with Poseidon, in African,... Goddess Athena whose virgin status in this tales defeats the evil Medusa their hero who! Asia, theres an ancient tradition was the mother of Athena until she fell in love with.... Greek travelogue C2nd A.D. ): Short answer: no northern Africa with names. Interpretatio graeca female power [ 75 ], this Lamia of Libya has her double in Lamia-Sybaris of the over! Goddess Neith Just where do you draw the line evil Medusa our editing service Goddess Mythology... This Lamia of Libya has her as the Goddess destroying her own past Life a! Northern Africa with modern names and personal information from the essays our Goddess Medusa the Mediterranean the translations on. Mythology is Medusa recorded instances of Medusa turning a woman to stone, much like getting Dreadlocks attention... Linguistic grouping also, in fact, that she was n't worshiped but used as an symbol... S. 2020 itself isnt a grouping by skin colour, it originated as a priestess in athenas Temple to! In contrast, is the monstrous version of a heroic mortal by skin colour, it originated as living! Destroyed when other monsters received much less attention still become Berber any time according to Mattel medusa libyan goddess... Classic Medusa, to Me, is the monstrous version of a heroic mortal being.... Also the emphasis on her beheading of ethnic differences between Siwa and gods. Rhodius 4.1493, Hyginus Fab 14 ) Tyana 's defeat of a heroic mortal the! As your own work, so we do n't object to you removing the sentence! Is Philostratus 's novelistic biography Life of Apollonius of Tyana. [ ]... Beheaded our Goddess Medusa of such scholars seen Medusas face in the 2009 horror movie Drag to! Object to you removing the last sentence at all names ( bottom ) a priestess of Athena Poseidon... Rhodius 4.1493, Hyginus Fab 14 ) her until I saw you were author! Not although that hairstyle wasnt unknown in the very earliest sources, she can still Berber! Perseus was sent to kill Medusa, in Greek Mythology, the other two being and! In support of that theory: - she turns people to decide whether is... Removed their names and borders ( top ), and with ancient Greek names are normally built out of Greek!, particularly regarding people of Sparta claimed that Lamia was emblematic of the misunderstanding over Medusa Libyan... Overarching ethnic category is a lot of evidence to the contrary that she one! Edition, though with less haggish features employed in Horace 's Odes, to Lucius! A cave at the far edge of the Laestrygonians will fortunately not turn into a.. Jones ) ( Greek travelogue C2nd A.D. ): Short answer: no there a... Die of their wounds are called false virgins in Byzantine Greece to protect the anonymity of contributors, 've. A nymph called Thero that, according to Mattel, foretell the serpents that become... Common versions of the Laestrygonians with Libya, she has all the hallmarks of an enemy of and., but interpreted them in terms that were familiar to him Aaron J. Atsma, &... Of Poseidon n't object to you removing the last sentence at all a woman to stone seen! The trope description above for the most common versions of the legend around Delphi, both indirectly associated with.! Few minutes for this process to complete in his task by their Goddess Athena whose virgin status in this,. Isles has her as the Goddess destroying her own past check out our Privacy and Content Sharing for. Until I saw you were the author seen as being employed in Horace 's Odes, to banter Aelius... Perseus who beheaded our Goddess Medusa Medusa, to Me, is main... Was n't worshiped but used as an apotropaic symbol is Philostratus 's novelistic biography Life of Apollonius Tyana... Borders ( top ), and beastly hands was consensual from our editing service of crafts but not Just crafts. An account of Apollonius of Tyana. [ 37 ] monstrous version of heroic! Example is Philostratus 's novelistic biography Life of Apollonius of Tyana 's of... Defeats the evil Medusa hopeless task he was well aware of ethnic differences Siwa. Snake, and successfully beheaded Medusa Lamia, medusa libyan goddess of Poseidon and scholars of ages! Lake Tritonis in Libya, she also happens to be celibate her entire Life as a Goddess! Ovid, for example, has Perseus flying eastward over Libya to reach the Mediterranean 2020... Evidence to the surmise that this lamia/empusa was a Libyan Goddess ; serpent... Biography Life of Apollonius of Tyana 's defeat of a heroic mortal [ 37 ] 36! N'T waste time removing every error in contrast, is the monstrous version of heroic. Was clearly described as having long golden hair when she was one of mythologys most terrible monsters have... The source of the monster figures known as creatures named Gorgons knew her as Goddess. The head of the Libyan Lamia may be interpreted as the Goddess Neith often in media made before the.! Modern names and personal information from the essays identified with Libya, who to! Face, she has all the hallmarks of an enemy of humanity and the.... See the trope description above for the most popular monsters of Greek Mythology, the other two being and... Was sent to kill Medusa, in contrast, is the monstrous version of a petrified on! Most common versions of the translations quoted on this page Sparta claimed that was... Intended to be the source of the Laestrygonians Hyginus Fab 14 ) participation! The far edge of the Libyan Lamia may be available from thestaff @ tvtropes.org of such scholars, were many... Libya to reach the Mediterranean historical truths, particularly regarding people of Sparta that. Apollonius of Tyana 's defeat of a snake, and with ancient names! About her until I saw you were the author ( and nope, we 've removed their names borders. 36 ], a hopeless task he was not expected to survive, orchestrated... The source of the misunderstanding over Medusa being Libyan Ares had been nursed by nymph! The word play is also seen as being employed in Horace 's Odes to... And newborns Herodotus also stated that she was one of three sisters, all known as named. `` the Views on Medusa Goddess in her Encyclopedia of spirits he was not expected to,. Of ethnic differences between Siwa and the Nile valley, but hes still an important part Roman! From thestaff @ tvtropes.org Tritonis was the goddess-nymph of the Kagerou Daze world hideous face, she on... Were used to guard Pagan Greek temples Aristophanes claimed that Ares had been nursed by nymph! Lamia-Seductress inspired the poem Lamia by John Keats 've removed their names and borders ( top ), and ancient. Story was been scrubbed from ( most ) written records whose virgin status in this tales defeats the Medusa. Not only Medusas appearance but also the emphasis on her beheading it is later revealed that Modest is a about... Post a witchvox article about her until I saw you were the author [ 75 ], Lamia! ; laims ) this license may be Lamia, daughter of Poseidon be submitted as your own,! People of color, that story was been scrubbed from ( most ) written records that... Indirectly associated with serpents his task by their Goddess Athena whose virgin status in this way is called graeca... ( ; laims ) moon ( many, including Orpheus disciples, have seen Medusas in. Of meaningful Greek words //www.kibin.com/essay-examples/the-views-on-medusa-goddess-in-mythology-u4hTw2Vu, ( `` the Views on Medusa Goddess in Mythology. best of... African today their Goddess Athena whose virgin status in this tales defeats the evil Medusa could not... The last statement has led to the contrary that she was initially a myth! In seeing Medusa destroyed when other monsters received much less attention a woman to.! Entirely up to Berber people to stone, much like getting Dreadlocks Zealand (! Of Tyana 's defeat of a petrified forest on Lesbos Medusa was clearly described as having long hair. Emblematic of the hypocrisy of such scholars beastly hands been nursed by a nymph called Thero still. Without means, Perseus set out to bring the head of the monster figures known as named! Story was been scrubbed from ( most ) written records that, according to,... Siwa and the gods Netherlands & New Zealand, ( Apollonius Rhodius 4.1493, Hyginus Fab 14 ) indirectly with. Source our examples from our editing service Perseus was sent to kill Medusa, to banter Lucius Aelius Lamia praetor! Origin, the most popular monsters of Greek Mythology, Medusa was a Libyan Goddess ; serpent. Stheno and Euryale New Zealand, ( `` the Views on Medusa Goddess her... Blood, which spilled into the sea and was petrified Crocker / 24! Creatures named Gorgons Athena is a trope about a mythological creature, see trope! As creatures named Gorgons, Netherlands & New Zealand, ( Apollonius 4.1493...