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Medusa, one of the three Gorgons,
daughter of Phorcys and Ceto. She was the only one of the Gorgons who
was subject to mortality. She is celebrated for her personal charms and
the beauty of her locks. Neptune became enamoured of her, and obtained
her favours in the temple of Minerva. This violation of the sanctity of
the temple provoked Minerva, and she changed the beautiful locks of
Medusa, which had inspired Neptune’s love to serpents. According to
Apollodorus, Medusa and her sisters came into the world with snakes on
their heads, instead of hair, with yellow wings and brazen hands. Their
bodies were also covered with impenetrable scales, and their very looks
had the power of killing or turning to stones. Perseus rendered his name
immortal by his conquest of Medusa. He cut off her head, and the blood
that dropped from the wound produced the innumerable serpents that
infest Africa. The conqueror placed Medusa's head on the shield of
Minerva, which he had used in his expedition. The head still retained
the same petrifying power as before, as it was fatally known in the
court of Cepheus
Some suppose that the Gorgons were a nation of women, whom Perseus
conquered. |
