In Greek mythology Medusa (Greek: Μέδουσα (Médousa), "guardian, protectress")[1] was a Gorgon, a chthonic monster, and a daughter of Phorcys and Ceto.[2] The author Hyginus, (Fabulae, 151) interposes a generation and gives Medusa another chthonic pair as parents.[3] Gazing directly upon her would turn onlookers to stone. She was beheaded by the hero Perseus, who thereafter used her head as a weapon[4] until he gave it to the goddess Athena to place on her shield. In classical antiquity the image of the head of Medusa appeared in the evil-averting device known as the Gorgoneion.The three...
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