Mar 11, 2023 · Medusa’s blood was sometimes thought to have magical or medicinal properties. According to Apollodorus, Asclepius received a phial of her blood from Athena and used it to cure the sick. Medusa’s blood was also used for witchcraft by some mythical figures. Other Interpretations. Not all ancient sources interpreted the myth of Medusa literally.

Jul 3, 2023 · Perseus looks to Athena and away from Medusa to avoid turning into stone. Metropolitan Museum of Art Public Domain. Thus equipped, Perseus went to the cave of the Gorgons. When he found Medusa, he was able to approach her without turning to stone by looking at her reflection in Athena’s shield. He then cut off Medusa’s head using Zeus’ sword.

Mar 24, 2023 · The Gorgon Medusa, whose gaze famously turned humans to stone, was once a lover of the sea god Poseidon. When Perseus, the hero of Argos, beheaded Medusa, Pegasus was born from her blood, together with the Giant Chrysaor. Poseidon was usually named as the father of both creatures, even if the mechanics of his paternity were obscure at best.

Mar 8, 2023 · Even so, Medusa was undeniably powerful: anyone who looked upon her face was immediately turned to stone. In some traditions, the other Gorgons may have had this power as well. In the best-known traditions, Medusa’s head (or the head of some Gorgon, not always named) was cut off and placed upon the shield of Athena, known as the aegis.

Jan 18, 2023 · Their Sister’s Keepers: Perseus and Medusa. The Graeae were known above all for their connection with Perseus and his heroic quest to slay Medusa. In this popular tale, Perseus had been sent to kill Medusa, the only Gorgon who was mortal—a seemingly impossible task, as Medusa’s gaze turned all who looked upon her to stone.

Sep 6, 2023 · Phorcys, son of Pontus and Gaia, was a Greek sea god. He fathered a host of mythological monsters with his sister-consort Ceto. Among these terrifying children—sometimes collectively known as the “Phorcides”—were the Gorgons and the Graeae.

May 5, 2023 · In another story, Jason—with the help of Peleus and the Dioscuri—ended up waging a war against Iolcus while it was being ruled by Acastus. Jason and his allies defeated Acastus and destroyed the city. Finally, one historian wrote that Jason accompanied Medea and her son Medus back to Colchis, where Aeetes, his old enemy, had been overthrown.

Mar 10, 2023 · Andromeda, the daughter of Cepheus and Cassiopeia, was a beautiful princess of Ethiopia. Offered up as a sacrifice to Poseidon as punishment for her mother’s foolish boasts, Andromeda was rescued from death by Perseus, who took her back to Greece to be his queen.

Nov 29, 2022 · Medea was the daughter of Aeetes, the king of Colchis, and a highly skilled witch. When Jason and the Argonauts came to her homeland to steal the Golden Fleece, she fell in love with Jason and sacrificed everything to help him.

Sep 20, 2023 · Perseus Beheading Medusa by Francesco Maffei (ca. 1650) Gallerie dell’Academia, Venice Public Domain. Zeus preserved order in the human realm in other ways, too. When Phaethon, the mortal son of Helios, lost control of the chariot of the sun, it was Zeus who struck the boy down to prevent him from scorching the earth.