How did Medusa die? The Tale Behind The Gorgon - Part 2

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In Greek lore, Medusa- the feared gorgon- could turn anyone who met her gaze into stone. But how did her terrifying story come to an end? 

Who was Medusa?

Medusa was the most famouse of the three Gorgon sisters, monstrous beings with snakes for hair and a deadly stare. Unlike her sisters, Stheno and Eurayle, Medusa was the only moral gorgon, making her vulnerable to death. 
She was born from the ancient sea gods Phorcys and Ceto, and while some later myths claim she was once a beautiful woman cursed by Athena, the earliest Greek sources meantion no such thing- potrying her as a gorgon by birth.

How did she die?

The hero, Perseus was sent on a dangerous quest to bring back Medusa's head- a task many believed to be impossible. But, Perseus was aided by the gods themselves. 

To find Medusa, Perseus sought out the Graiae, three ancient sisters who shared a single eye and tooth between them. Perseus stole their eye and refused to return it unless they guided him to Medusa's lair. According to some versions of the legend, they told him where to find the garden of the Hesperides, nymphs of the sunset, who gifted him magical tools. Other versions say that the Graiae themselves provided the items. 

Armed with:
  • Winged sandals of Hermes- to fly
  • The cap of Hades- to turn invisible
  • A polished shield by Athena- to see Medusa's reflection
  • A sword by Hermes
Perseus approached the sleeping gorgon carefully. Using the shield as a mirror to avoid her deadly gaze, he struck her neck with the sword given to him by Hermes and beheaded Medusa in her sleep. 
But, from her severed head came an astonishing sight. Pegasus, the winged horse and Chrysaor, a giant warrior, were born from her blood. 
Perseus escaped the place carrying Medusa's head using his cap and sandals. The gorgon's deadly power was still inact

What happened afterwards?

Using the head of Medusa as a weapon, Perseus turned many enemies to stone:
  • King Polydectes of Seriphus, who had threatned his mother Danae.
  • A terrifying sea monster who was about to devour Princess Andromeda of Aethiopia, whom Perseus later married.
At last, Perseus gifted the head to Athena, the greek goddess of wisdom and war. She placed it upon her shield, called Aegis, making it a fearsome symbol of protecion in battle. 

The end...or the beginning?

And so ended Medusa's life- but her legend lived on. Her face- once feared- became a symbol of power, terror and mystery- staring forever from Athena's shield...and from history itself. 

The Tale Behind The Gorgon- Part 1

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