We all have heard about MEDUSA from several fictional movies and games. Hunted by many warriors who wish to claim the price of her head but they were all failed, they turned into stone just from a glance at her hideous face. We all see her as a vicious monster. But she wasn't always considered like this in fact quite the opposite. She was the only mortal with three sisters namely Stheno and Euryale ( who also turned into the three Gorgons of Athena ) born from Phorcys and Ceto, two of primordial sea Gods. She was the symbol of the great beauty and many men lusted for her but for the respect for the Goddess Athena, she remained pure and she become the priestess of Parthenon, the Athens's largest Athena's temple. There were thousands of people from across the world visited the temple just for a glance at Medusa's beauty. They even claimed that her is more beautiful than Athena herself. It wasn't long before Athena's beauty became resent.
One day, when medusa was walking near the shore, she caught the attention of Poseidon, the God of sea and he was instantly attract towards her. Medusa rejected his proposal multiple times because if she wanted to remain the priestess of Athena's temple, she must stay a virgin. Poseidon was in a middle of a conflict wth Athena and he saw Medusa as a possession that he could take from the Goddess. Eventually Poseidon grew frustrated being rejected by Medusa, he decided to take to tak her by force. Medusa, in fear for her life ran towards into the temple in the hopes that the Goddess will help her and offer her protection but there was no protection given and Poseidon had his way with Medusa. When Poseidon finished and left, Athena appeared with rage by the events that had just taken place. She decided that she will punish Medusa. As punishment against the Gods such as Poseidon was considered as unthinkable, Athena cursed Medusa that
1. Her hair that she was once so envious off will turn into a head of venomous snakes.
2. Anyone, who looked into Medusay eyes will turn into stone.
Word spread of the the monster that Medusa has become and she became the target of many warriors who wanted to add her head in their list of trophies. Those who tried and shared the same fate being turned into stone, until Perseus, son of Zeus was tasked with retrieve her head. In order to complete the task, Gods gave him some required aid. 1. He was given a helmet of Hades which will make him invisible to medusa, 2. A pair winged shoes from Hermes which allowing him to fly, 3. Athena give him a bronze shield which was able to reflect the gaze of Medusa and 4. A sword sharp enough to cut off Medusa's head.
With all these divine gifts, Perseus was able to behead Medusa. At the time of her death Medusa was pregnant with Poseidon and from her severed neck, came a steel winged horse, Pegasus. Perseus used the head to aid him in several adventures and it played a crucial role when defeating the Titan Atlas.
Medusa was one of the most misunderstood characters in greek mythology she is often as a cruel monster. But Medusa had the best intensions and placed her trust in Goddess Athena who failed herand cursed her for her actions that were beyond her control. Her story shows us that even the Gods are prone to the sins that they so heavily pride themselves. Even in death, Medua can be seen as symbol of of good as her head is used as a protective amulet to keep evil away.
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