Medusa was a Gorgon, one of three sisters and daughters of Phorcys and Ceto . Medusa, unlike her sisters, was a mortal. Born beautiful, Medusa was seduced by Poseidon in one of Athena's temples. Athena became incensed and turned Medusa into a horrible creature. She had wings, grotesque features such as a black tongue too large for her mouth, claws, and snakes for hair. Her gaze alone turned men to stone.

Perseus was dispatched to kill Medusa, because he needed her head to fulfull a boastful gift to the King Polydectes, who held Perseus' mother, Danae, as his future queen against her will. Once Perseus beheaded Medusa (with some help from Athena and Hermes), two offspring came out of her body; the children of Poseidon. One was Pegasus, the winged horse, and the other was Chrysaor (the father of the monster Geryon).

ACTIVITIES:
Medusa activity

KEY TEST WORDS:
Medusa the only mortal Gorgon. Know the descriptions of a Gorgon and who cut off Medusa's head.

Creatures and Monsters

Fables

Footnotes:
Medusa's two Gorgon sisters were named Stheno and Euryale.

SOURCES:
Jane Smith
Edith Hamilton's Mythology
Bulfinch's Mythology
"Manual of Mythology" by Alexander S. Murray.