Medusa (died 1344 BC) was, in Greek mythology, a monstrous Gorgon who was slain by the Ancient Greek hero Perseus.
Biography[]
Medusa, Stheno, and Euryale were the three daughters of Phorcys and Ceto, underworld monsters from an archaic world. Medusa was initially a beautiful maiden before Poseidon had sex with her in Athena's temple, causing Athena to transform Medusa's beautiful hair into horrible snakes. Those who gazed into Medusa's eyes would turn to stone, and she lived in Cisthene, Mysia in Anatolia. In 1344 BC, the hero Perseus was challenged by King Polydectes off Seriphos to slay Medusa in exchange for Polydectes not marrying his unwilling mother Danae, and, with the help of the gods, Perseus - donning a helm of darkness, a well-polished shield on which he could see Medusa's reflection, and a heavenly sword - beheaded Medusa, and the winged horse Pegasus and the giant Chrysaor sprang from her body.