MEDUSA (the Gorgon whose gaze turns to stone)
Monster · in Greek mythology, one of the three Gorgons, described as a woman with snakes in place of hair, beheaded by Perseus
- Parents
- Phorcys, Gorgon, Ceto
- Siblings
- Euryale, Stheno
- Consorts
- Poseidon
- Children
- Pegasus, Chrysaor
- In the sources
- 33 ancient passages
Medusa is identified as one of the three Gorgons. Apollodorus 2.4.2 +4 Medusa is identified as the daughter of Phorcys. Ovid Met. 4.663-803 (5) +1
Powers
Anyone who looked at Medusa's face turned to stone. Apollodorus 2.4.2 +1
In the myths
Perseus beheaded Medusa while she was asleep. Apollodorus 2.4.2 +9 Pegasus sprang from Medusa's neck when her head was cut off and opened a new fountain with its hoof. Ovid Met. 5.243-340 (2) +1 Perseus placed Medusa's severed head into a wallet and later set it on leaves to protect it from sand. Apollodorus 2.4.3 +1 Perseus carried Medusa's head to Seriphos and also carried it to show the Greeks. Pausanias 1.22.7 +1 Perseus used Medusa's head to turn Polydectes and his friends into stone. Apollodorus 2.4.3 +1 Perseus displayed Medusa's head to turn Phineus and his conspirators into stone. Apollodorus 2.4.3 +1
Fate
Pegasus and Chrysaor sprang from her body after her head was cut off. Apollodorus 2.4.2 +3 Medusa was beheaded by Perseus, who used a shield reflection to see her. Ovid Met. 4.663-803 (5) +2
