Medusa had been exiled to an island after she was cursed by Athena into becoming a gorgon. Athena, of course, punishes her for having been raped in the first place. Facts about Athena. Medusa was once the most beautiful woman in all of Athens, and also a priestess of the goddesses Athena. Best Answer. For five hundred years, she had been forced to live with the curse of turning heroes -who arrive to kill her- into stone. Arachne hung herself because she was terrified and embarrassed. She tore at her flesh and screamed while she was transformed into a beautiful maiden with smooth, youthful skin into a monster whose flesh became cracked and withered. The myths depict her transformation into the monster as incredibly painful. What was Medusa's curse? Her transformation began shortly after that. The Medusa we know was raped by Poseidon in the goddess Athena's temple. This thing might have created a rage in Athena against Medusa. Athena flew into a frenzy, turning her golden locks into snakes, with the power to turn men into stone just by looking at her; this was the birth of the monster. She also aided Perseus in later killing Medusa once and for all. Answer: Athena and Medusa. It's a classic case of victim blaming. Medusa. Medusa was a priestess in Athena's temple, she did this by taking a vow of chastity. Answer (1 of 5): The shield Athena is usually depicted as carrying is known as the Aegis and in some accounts it is not her shield at all, it is actually her father Zeus' and he lends it out to her on occasion while in other accounts it was part of the armor she wore when she sprang from his head. Tagged: Become, Cursed, Medusa. Danae's father, Acrisius, King of Argos was told that he would be murdered by Danae's son. A compromise is reached for half the year Persephone will live on earth with her mother; for the other half, she will live in the Underworld. She is not considered a goddess or Olympian, but some variations on her legend say she consorted with one. Athena then punished her for desecrating her sacred space by cursing Medusa with a head full of snakes and a gaze that turns men to stone. Medusa was once a beautiful girl, but love for the sea god Poseidon. Mythology < (1 of 1) The Argument Most writers credit Athena with laying a curse on Medusa. Medusa was raped by his uncle which is the God of the Seas, Poseidon, in Athena's temple. According to this version of the myth, it's at this point that Medusa's beautiful hair becomes a tangled mass of snakes, and she is cursed with her deadly power . Medusa is said to have been coveted across the land. If that isn't enough, Athena ensures Medusa will forever remain alone by . Poseidon was in the temple of Athena but instead of captivated by Athena, he was enchanted by Medusa. Medusa was now a monster woman. Medusa and Poseidon engaged in a love affair and would have . What did Demeter do to Persephone? Athena and Medusa: Medusa was a beautiful young lady who practiced the ways of Athena. Athena, as the virgin goddess, was incredibly enraged by this defilement of her temple and chose to punish Medusa for her part in the whole affairshe cursed Medusa's beauty. Medusa was a priestess to the goddess Athena, the virgin goddess of wisdom and battle. Athena is the goddess of heroic endeavors, and Perseus is definitely setting off on a heroic mission. The Medusa we know was raped by Poseidon in the goddess Athena's temple. Acrisius threw Danae and Perseus into the sea in a wooden chest. Her beautiful hair was changed to that of a head full of . Then, a heroic Perseus severed the serpent-headed Medusa, turning her into a trophy. Medusa saw a statue of Athena and she whispered, "Whoever did this statue did do a good job but it would look better if it was me!" When Medusa reached the altar, she sighed happily and said, "My, this is a beautiful temple. She was given chicken legs, giant metal wings, cracked skin, madness, and her signature snake hair and stone eyes. In other words, Athena tuned Medusa into a monster. Poseidon fancied Medusa and ends up raping her ultimately braking her vow of chastity. Yet, when her head was given to Athena by Perseus, Athena used her image on armor and a shield. Medusa is one of the Three Gorgons, sister of Stheno and Euryale. According to Homer's account in the Iliad, Athena was a fierce and ruthless warrior. Medusa was raped by his uncle which is the God of the Seas, Poseidon, in Athena's temple. While she was there, Poseidon saw her and either seduced her or raped her, and she became pregnant. In Greek mythology, Medusa is a hideous gorgon, a winged female creature having a head of hair consisting of snakes. In some variations of the myth, Medusa was born a monster like her sisters, described as girded with serpents, vibrating tongues, gnashing their teeth, having wings, brazen claws, and enormous teeth.In later myths (mainly in Ovid) Medusa was the only Gorgon to possess snake locks, because they . This thing might have created a rage in Athena against Medusa. Athena then punished her for desecrating her sacred space by cursing Medusa with a head full of snakes and a gaze that turns men to stone. Athena then puts the head on her shield - the Aegis. Although, Athena was a goddess and Medusa was a mortal but Poseidon was still attracted towards Medusa. The Medusa we know was raped by Poseidon in the goddess Athena's temple. The temple where the goddess of wisdom, and Poseidon intercourse. Medusa's Name Means To Protect This is the irony of it all. Medusa's was a priestess in Athena's temple. Mermelas Panagiotis While they are all hideously ugly, Medusa is the only one among them with the power to petrify people with her gaze. She sprang from Zeus's head, full-grown and clothed in armor. Cracked skin, craziness, and her distinctive snake hair and stone eyes were all bestowed to her. Although, Athena was a goddess and Medusa was a mortal but Poseidon was still attracted towards Medusa. Medusa did not take part in any of the attention she received until Poseidon, the god of the seas, took notice of her. Copy. Medusa was a daughter of Phorcys and Keto, and was once a priestess of Athena. She was Zeus's favorite child. Athena also makes use of the remaining blood that still comes forth from Medusa's severed . Because of this Athena accused Medusa of seducing his uncle and punished her by replacing Medusa's beautiful hair with snakes, and when people look at Medusa's eyes, they will turn into stone. Then, a heroic Perseus severed the serpent-headed Medusa, turning her into a trophy. Athena makes Medusa unappealing to men by turning her hair into writhing snakes. Athena helped Medusa by transforming her into a "monster" Medusa was not cursed, she was actually helped by Athena. According to some myths, this was the real head of Medusa. After all the trouble that has been caused by Athena's betrayal of Medusa, the two are finally symbolically reunited when Perseus gives Medusa's head to Athena after he has completed his journey. Perseus and Medusa. But Athena is also a Goddess of Wisdom and that lowers the possibility of . According to various sources, Medusa was the only Gorgon who was mortal, so she was able to be beheaded by the Greek hero, Perseus. Such a sacrilege attracted the goddess' wrath, and she punished Medusa by turning her hair to snakes. Athena was enraged and condemned Medusa for betraying her, as she stared down on her. Medusa's face was used to protect those who used that image when defending their country. Poseidon was bitter at Athena for recently turning his beloved Koroneis into a raven, so he decided to get back at her by becoming . What is the story of Medusa and Athena according to Ovid? Athena then punished her for desecrating her sacred space by cursing Medusa with a head full of snakes and a gaze that turns men to stone. The myths depict her transformation into the monster as incredibly painful. Yet, when her head was given to Athena by Perseus, Athena used her image on armor and a shield. Medusa was a formidable foe, since her hideous appearance was able to render any onlooker into stone. Because of this Athena accused Medusa of seducing his uncle and punished her by replacing Medusa's beautiful hair with snakes, and when . Early Greek and English authors also said that Athena was the help Perseus had to behead Medusa. She had stunning golden hair, with perfect ringlets framing her beautiful face. How was Medusa cursed? After Perseus removed Medusa's head, some stories claim that he gifted it to Athena. The Medusa we know was raped by Poseidon in the goddess Athena's temple. What did Athena do to Medusa? But Athena is also a Goddess of Wisdom and that lowers the possibility of . What did Medusa say to Athena? Facts about Athena. She became so hideous that the mere sight of her could cause a man to turn to stone. However, Zeus turned into a gold shower and got Danae pregnant. In one myth reported by the Greek poet Pindar (517-438 BCE), Medusa was a beautiful mortal woman who one day went to Athena 's temple to worship. Athena, enraged at the desecration of her temple, turned her into a mortal Gorgon. Explanation: According to Ovid, Medusa originally was a beautiful young woman. Athena did not only curse Medusa but also her sisters. It celebrated the goddess of wisdom and beauty - Athena. The goddess Athena was not happy about this behavior and cursed Medusa. Her patron goddess gifted her with an ability that would never let Medusa feel powerless again. She pulled Arachne's work to tears and beat her three times on the head. However, Medusa was originally a beautiful maiden, who was raped by Poseidon in Athena's temple. Medusa was turned into a hideous monster who took all lives that merely gazed upon her face. Poseidon either seduced or raped Medusa on the temple altar, a huge offense to any god. Legend states that Medusa was once a beautiful, avowed priestess of Athena who was cursed for breaking her vow of celibacy. She was Zeus's favorite child. Medusa was turned into a hideous monster who took all lives that merely gazed upon her face. Study now. The story of Medusa is such a famous Greek myth told in today's world, both to kids and adults alike. Tagged: Become, Cursed, Medusa. Medusa was raped by his uncle which is the God of the Seas, Poseidon, in Athena's temple. Perseus was the son of Zeus and Danae. Medusa immediately wants to tell her story, not having real interaction in so long. Athena decided to punish anyone who dared to create art, even if they were women. The Roman author Ovid describes the mortal Medusa as a beautiful maiden seduced by Poseidon in a temple of Athena. Athena turned Medusa into a monster with snakes for hair. The goddess's shield has a gorgon head in the center. Medusa's long shining hair was turned to snakes and her features were twisted beyond recognition. Medusa. One day while doing some priestly stuff, a man entered the temple and was like "I think ill rape you this day." ,this was a golden age for rape,and although I imagine she put up a fight, which is what you do in these situations, the man . When Athena found out what had happened, she cursed Medusa. Her features were in perfect symmetry, her lips red like the purest wine. When Athena discovered the affair, she was enraged and immediately cursed Medusa by taking away her beauty. Because of this Athena accused Medusa of seducing his uncle and punished her by replacing Medusa's beautiful hair with snakes, and when people look at Medusa's eyes, they will turn into stone. Medusa. She tore at her flesh and screamed while she was transformed into a beautiful maiden with smooth, youthful skin into a monster whose flesh became cracked and withered. Athena may be the goddess of Wisdom, but she did Medusa wrong. Medusa fled to the cave where her already monstrous sisters . Athena knows this and subjects Medusa to the fate of being turned into a gorgon. While serving Athena, mortals and gods would both take notice of Medusa's beauty. She was the daughter of Zeus; no mother bore her. Medusa's family tree. Medusa's face was used to protect those who used that image when defending their country. Athena turned Medusa into a snaky-haired monster whom when gazed upon turned the person into stone. She was the daughter of Zeus; no mother bore her. Athena may be the goddess of Wisdom, but she did Medusa wrong. She was sent to a remote island and cursed so that no guy would ever desire to be with her. Poseidon was in the temple of Athena but instead of captivated by Athena, he was enchanted by Medusa. Athena has an old grudge against Medusa. According to Homer's account in the Iliad, Athena was a fierce and ruthless warrior. The snake-haired Medusa does not become widespread until the first century B.C. When Athena found out what had happened, she cursed Medusa. Once a beautiful maiden and priestess of Athena's temple, Medusa incurred the unjust wrath of Athena after she was raped by Poseidon, Greek god of the sea, earthquakes and storms. Athena was angered, shecast magic, the Medusa of Wang Dan's . Poseidon was enamored by Medusa's beauty, and Medusa returned the same feelings. Athena punished her by turning her from a renowned beauty into the most hideous monster in existence. Medusa's Name Means To Protect This is the irony of it all. Athena did this to . She sprang from Zeus's head, full-grown and clothed in armor. One requirement to be a priestess for Athena is that the young women should be a virgin and give their life . Athena was the Goddess of War, the female counterpart of Ares. Medusa was banished from civilization to an island by herself. But, hey, Zeus sleeps around so much that maybe it doesn't mean much to Athena that she's related to the mortal hero. Athena then punished her for desecrating her sacred space by cursing Medusa with a head full of snakes and a gaze that turns men to stone. Then, a heroic Perseus severed the serpent-headed Medusa, turning her into a trophy. When Medusa had an affair with the sea god Poseidon, Athena punished her. Medusa was the only Gorgon who was mortal; hence her slayer, Perseus, was able to kill her by cutting off When Demeter learns that Persephone has eaten six pomegranate seeds she threatens to make the earth barren if she does not get her daughter back. Whenever someone looked at Medusa after she was cursed, they would be turned to stone. In Greek mythology, Medusa (/ m dj u z ,-s /; Ancient Greek: "guardian, protectress"), also called Gorgo, was one of the three monstrous Gorgons, generally described as winged human females with living venomous snakes in place of hair.Those who gazed into her eyes would turn to stone.Most sources describe her as the daughter of Phorcys and Ceto, although the author . Until a girl and her brother come along. He locked up Danae in a bronze chamber. Athena and Perseus actually have the same dad, so she's his half-sister. Athena was the Goddess of War, the female counterpart of Ares. Medusa was sent to a faraway island and was cursed so that no man would want her. She made sure everyone knew about Athena's action, so no one would ever dare to create art again. Her transformation began shortly after that.