The most famous story of Perseus is his quest to kill the famous monster, Medusa. It was said that Sthenmo and Euryale tried to kill Perseus but could not find him due to the special helmet he wore. [17], After Medusa was killed, her two children by Poseidon were born from her blood. The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York has a terracotta jar created by Polygnotos that shows Perseus murdering her in her sleep. Cixous urges women to use this story as a way to take back their own power and escape the control that men have over them. Perseus Uses Medusas Head as a Weapon. It came out in 2013 as part of a limited edition series.-Many people use an image of her head because they believe it will protect them from others. While the instrument itself was created by Pallas Athene, Pindar says that she wove into music the dire dirge of the reckless Gorgons which Perseus heard and imitate with musical instruments the shrill cry that reached her ears from the fast-moving jaws of Euryale. Yes, the high-pitched notes of the flute were the screams of the Gorgons as they mourned over the death of their sister. Perseus was eventually killed by Megapenthes, son of Proetus. He received a mirrored shield from Athena, gold, winged sandals from Hermes, a sword from Hephaestus, and Hades helm of invisibility. In Homers Iliad, Athena, as a war goddess, inspires and fights alongside the Greek heroes; her aid is synonymous with military prowess. Dionysus could not be turned to stone, however. She also gave birth to Natura, a goddess of the forest. They also had another group of sisters called the Graeae who appeared in Prometheus Bound written by Aeschylus. The best-known story of Perseus and Dionysus comes from Nonnus, who wrote an entire biography of the bacchic god. Accessed May 1, 2023. Being the favourite child of Zeus, she had great power. It is pronounced P AH R-Siy-ahS in English . Perseus is of Old Greek origin. Perseus is a form of the English and Greek Persis. See also the related category greek. Perseus is uncommon as a baby girl name. It is not in the top 1000 names. It is not Perseus fault, Hermes told Dionysus, but Hera, who convinced him to fight. DailyArt Magazine needs your support. According to Pseudo-Apollodorus, the king of the gods became a golden rain and seeped into the cracks of the chamber. Hercules then went to Tegea and met with Sterope who was the daughter of Cepheus. Rather than die on the field, she was assassinated during the night. She was thought to have had neither consort nor offspring. The History of Guns, Greek Mythology: Stories, Characters, Gods, and Culture, Aztec Mythology: Important Stories and Characters, Greek Gods and Goddesses: Family Tree and Fun Facts, Roman Gods and Goddesses: The Names and Stories of 29 Ancient Roman Gods. Herodotus also records that when Xerxes, the Persian king, came to conquer Greece, he attempted to convince the people of Argos that he was the descendent of Perseus, and, therefore their rightful king already. This shows that the island has protection from Athena. He stabbed it multiple times, in the neck and back, and attacked every time the creature rose to the surface. Two Athenians, the sculptor Phidias and the playwright Aeschylus, contributed significantly to the cultural dissemination of Athenas image. It was interpreted both as a triumph of stoic reason over the foes of virtue and as the possibility of controlling passions and exercising stoical equanimity through implacable realism. Her blood also led to the creation of the venomous vipers that roam the Sahara. This he gave to Perseus, and it was only ever used once. The Artist Behind a (Very Questionable) Nude Public Statue of The terror of Medusa is thus a terror of castration that is linked to the sight of something. H. G. Evelyn-White. Medusa has made several appearances in modern pop culture. They believe that there were events the occurred and that the Greeks simply created a new version of the event. Privacy Policy, Marjorie J. Milne, "Perseus and Medusa on an Attic Vase,", http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0104%3Aalphabetic+letter%3DG%3Aentry+group%3D9%3Aentry%3Dgorgo-bio-1. She was someone who would kill anyone who saw her, and the snakes were simply the curly and knotted hair that was naturally on her head. He owned a giant diamond, the gem made stone in the showers of Zeus, which prevented the magic of Medusas head. Virgil: In the epic the Aeneid (19 BCE), Medusa and the Gorgons are included among the monsters living at the outskirts of the Underworld (6.287ff). Pausanias, in his Description of Greece, offers a historical version of Medusa that may be worth mentioning. 2022 Wasai LLC. New York: Routledge, 2008. Medusa was the only Gorgon who was mortal; hence her slayer, Perseus, was able to kill her by cutting off her head. While Medusa once had soft and supple white skin, it turned green. Early artwork depicted both Medusa and her sisters as gruesome creatures capable of frightening any man. If your web page requires an HTML link, please insert this code: Perseus: The Argive Hero of Greek Mythology. What Do We Know About Historical Perseus? She was particularly known as the patroness of spinning and weaving. Gorgo, Gorgoneion in Lexicon Iconographicum Mythologiae Classicae, Vol. Masar Group Nameberry is a registered trademark of Nameberry, LLC. From Athena to Zeus: Basics of Greek Mythology. The fields of Atlas contained the golden fruit, some of which the old Titan had previously given to Heracles. Perseus took the beautiful woman with him back to Argos. Polydectes had been abusing her. Were building the worlds most authoritative, online mythology resource, with engaging, accessible content that is both educational and compelling to read. When Perseus found the Gorgons, he used the helmet of invisibility to sneak up on Medusa. This piece dates back to around 450 BC. Th. Versace still uses a log of a woman with terrifying features and serpents coming from her head as its brand logo. iPhone History: A Timeline of Every Model in Order According to Ovid, as Perseus traveled back to Polydectes, he stopped in the lands of Atlas. This star is approximately 92 light years from earth. She was also worshipped in many other cities, notably in Sparta. This creature had a snake on the end of its tail and the body of a dragon. Zeus. How Did Perseus Save Andromeda From The Sea Monster? Zeus came to her in the form of a s Acrisius spoke to the Oracles, who prophesied that the son of Danae would be the cause of the old kings death. Ogden, Daniel. An Oracle of Delphi was a high priestess who served at the Temple of Apollo at the ancient site of Delphi. Hesiod used her in Theogony. In ancient Greek astronomy, it represented the head of Medusa. Medusa was often depicted as a terrifying winged female with snakes instead of hair. In most versions of the story, she was beheaded by the hero Perseus, who was sent to fetch her head by King Polydectes of Seriphus because Polydectes wanted to marry his mother. The priestess was able to foretell divine prophecies once filled with the spirit of Apollo. The sisters convince her to change her mind before the Gorgon can slaughter the men. Athena gave Perseus a shield with mirrors to deflect Medusas gaze, while Hades helped him remain invisible to her. The gods were well aware of this, and Perseus got help. Some historians believe that the story of Medusa has some basis in fact. Poseidon took special interest in her, and one day came down to Athenas shrine and raped the poor woman. Michelangelo and Picasso are just two of the famous artists who created work based on her. We love art history and writing about it. Herodotus found some evidence that she appeared in Berber mythology where she was a major part of their religion. Aeschylus, for example, in his fifth-century BCE tragedy Prometheus Bound, described them as three winged sisters, the snake-haired Gorgons, loathed of mankind, whom no one of mortal kind shall look upon and still draw breath.[6] It was said that anybody who looked upon Medusa (or her sisters) was immediately turned to stone. The flag and emblem of Sicily also features her head. Medusa. According to some tellings of the myth, Perseus turned all the kings soldiers and even the entire island to stone. Andromeda was said to be an Ethiopian princess. Euryale could leap with ease, while Stheno was stronger than her sisters. Today, many surviving bronze shields from ancient antiquity are carved with the Gorgons head as a warning for all who face the wielder. The venomous vipers of the Sahara were also sometimes said to have been born from Medusas blood. This work is privately owned, signed, and now known as Murtola. She was the daughter of Zeus, produced without a mother, so that she emerged full-grown from his forehead. Many considered the princess as the worlds most beautiful woman. WebPerseus Origin and Meaning The name Perseus is boy's name of Greek origin meaning "to destroy". The Legend of Perseus. The chief characters in the Perseus legend, Perseus, Cepheus, Cassiopeia, Andromeda, and the sea monster (Cetus), all figure in the night sky as constellations. The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica This article was most recently revised and updated by Adam Augustyn. Perseus | Encyclopedia.com Much later, Geryon was killed by Heracles. Andromeda was a legendary Ethiopian princess who was saved by the Greek hero Perseus from a terrible sea-monster. Together, Perseus and Andromeda lived a happy life until they became constellations in the sky. Perseus and Andromeda, from the imperial villa at Boscotrecase, 1st century BCE, The Met. In the modern world, feminists use Medusa as an icon that represents female anger and rage. Pindar, an early Greek poet who lived in the fifth century BCE, described Medusa as fair-cheeked.[7], In ancient art, Medusa was originally depicted as a hideous monster. Hesiod: Medusas lineage and her affair with the sea god Poseidon are outlined in the seventh-century BCE epic Theogony. Indian modernists have been vanguards of shaping the narrative of Indian art in the modern world. Thus, it seems that Medusa was depicted differently in art than she was in literature. Legend says this is why so many of the desert areas in that region have so many snakes today. As a war goddess Athena could not be dominated by other goddesses, such as Aphrodite, and as a palace goddess she could not be violated. According to Apollodorus, Asclepius received a phial of her blood from Athena and used it to cure the sick. However, other sources gave Scylla different parents. In this myth, the vipers emerged from the droplets of Medusas blood as Perseus flew over the Sahara with the Gorgons severed head. When Elana Dkyewomon released a series of poems and short stories written by and for lesbians, she chose the Gorgon for the cover. Fans of mythology might recognize Perseus There are many stories and interpretations of the Gorgon Medusa from Greek mythology and later years. Kapach, Avi. From then on, all who looked upon her were turned to stone. After their wedding, he headed to Seriphos for his mothers wedding. Sky was the first who ruled over the whole world. Perseus then headed to Ethiopia to rest and set her head down on the ground. Danaes father, Acrisius, Many artists made Medusa into a work of art. Sterope used the hair to defend the city and keep it safe. Aeschylus, Prometheus Bound 798800, trans. Interestingly, in all other cultures, including Hebrew and Arabic, it is a head (sometimes Ras Al-gol or demons head). One such lock was sometimes said to protect the Greek city of Tegea. There, he married Andromeda, and she would live to old age, giving Perseus many children. WebPerseus was the son of the Greek god Zeus and the woman Danae. Perseus Percy Jackson, is the main character of a popular YA book series called Percy Jackson and the Olympians. Written by Rick Riordan, the series of books follows a modern story of a demi-god fighting to stop the Titans from taking over the world. His bones became stones. It was said that anyone who looked directly at her was immediately turned to stone. In the 20th century, Bernard Berenson and other leading critics argued against Leonardos authorship of the Uffizi painting. A History of Witchcraft in Art, 10 Modernists Who Changed the Face of Indian Art. During the 20th century, many looked at the tale of Medusa and how it relates to feminism. Accessed April 4, 2021. http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0104%3Aalphabetic+letter%3DG%3Aentry+group%3D9%3Aentry%3Dgorgo-bio-1. Unfortunately for the citys people, the celebrations did not last long. The messenger god stepped in. When she eventually died, Athena took her body into the sky and made her a constellation. This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Athena-Greek-mythology, Roman and Greek Gods - Facts about Athena, Ancient Origins - Athena: Fiercely Feminine Goddess of War and Wisdom, Athena - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11), Athena - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). From then on she roamed, shamed, shunned and loathed by everyone. She was widely worshipped, but in modern times she is associated primarily with Athens, to which she gave her name and protection. Favourite of Athena. According to Ovid, this is what first got her into trouble: when Medusa slept with Poseidon in a temple of Athena, Athena turned her hair into snakes as a punishment. Feeling as though his work was done, Perseus tracked down Athena and presented her with the head. Every contribution, however big or small, is very valuable for our future. She wanted to show the Gorgons head in a different way. [27] The antiquarian Diodorus of Sicily claimed that they were wiped out by Heracles when he traveled through Libya.[28]. The name Medusa was likely derived from the Greek verb medein (to guard, protect). Her emergence there as city goddess, Athena Polias (Athena, Guardian of the City), accompanied the ancient city-states transition from monarchy to democracy. According to Greek mythology, Mycenaes story goes back to the hero Perseus, the demigod son of Zeus and Danae, who was said to have founded the city of Mycenae. Corrections? Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. In Herodotus Histories, we learn the most about the mortal Perseus, his possible family, and the role his heritage might have played in ancient wars. Athena, insulted that Medusa was no longer a virgin, punished her by turning her into a monster. When Minerva caught them in the act, she changed Medusa into a terrifying Gorgon. This has been proven because she continues to be portrayed in pop culture. Looking at the forbidden mother stiffens the subject in illicit desire and freezes him in terror of the Fathers retribution. Subscribe to DailyArt Magazine newsletter, A Very Florentine Story: Perseus and the Head of Medusa by Benvenuto Cellini, Greek Mythological Creatures That Combine Female Beauty and Beastly Ugliness, scariest creatures that Greek mythology created, Proto-Renaissance 101: From Guilds to Giotto, Hags and Slags? According to the best-known traditions, the Hesperides were daughters of the Titan Atlas. Pegasus, the famous horse with wings, arose from her dead body. Omissions? Since Medusa was the only one of the three Gorgons who was mortal, Perseus was able to slay her while looking at the reflection from the mirrored shield he received from Athena. Howe, T. P. An Interpretation of the Perseus-Gorgon Myth. PhD diss., Columbia University, 1952. There are several versions of the Medusa myth. There are three different ways you can cite this article. Perseus, in Greek mythology, the slayer of the Gorgon Medusa and the rescuer of Andromeda from a sea monster. Perseus was the son of Zeus and Dana, the daughter of Acrisius of Argos. As an infant he was cast into the sea in a chest with his mother by Acrisius, to whom it had been prophesied that he would be killed by his grandson. When Andromedas former fianc Phineus attacked him, Perseus killed him, too, using Medusas head. According to Athenaeus, a Greek author who lived during the late second and early third centuries CE, the Gorgons were long-haired beasts, so terrifying that all who looked upon them were paralyzed and killed. Through Mortal Bloodlines, Perseus was the Great-Grandfather of Helen of Troy. He handed the kingdom to Dictys, who had protected Danae from his brother. Numerous analyses have made us familiar with the occasion for this: it occurs when a boy, who has hitherto been unwilling to believe the threat of castration, catches sight of the female genitals, probably those of an adult, surrounded by hair, and essentially those of his mother. 2. The Seven Faces of Dr. Lao came out the same year and told the traditional story of Medusa. There was also a theory established by Helene Cixous in which she claims that the original story of Medusa was quite different. Clash of the Titans Gorgons, or Gorgones, were three winged daimones, or phantoms of Hades. Called Medousa (Medusa), Sthenmo and Euryale, only Medusa was mortal. Perseus, realizing he had been tricked by Hera, changed his ways and supported the Dionysian mysteries. In later times, Artists would paint quite detailed works of Perseus holding the head of Medusa, and they would inform similar beheadings, such as David and Goliath, or the beheading of John the Baptist. Athena removed a lock of the womans hair and gave it to Hercules. [15] In another version of the myth, Medusa became the enemy of Athena because she claimed that she could rival the goddess in beauty.[16]. A fellow child of Zeus, Perseus famously beheaded the snake-haired Medusa, fought a sea monster for Andromeda, and accidentally killed his grandfather while playing sport. Perseus is a godly Greek hero (he was a son of Zeus) whose ancient name just (2023, March 11). When she found them together, Athena transformed her into a woman with serpents in her hair and a cold stare. Though some point to the version of the story where Athena came across Medusa in her temple, others claim that the legend never says whether she willingly agreed to intercourse with Poseidon. The Timeless Myth of Medusa, a Rape Victim Turned Into a Monster She was made into marble and bronze sculptures. The goddess carried the womans head on her shield. Knowing that Polydectes forced her into marriage, Perseus forced him to look at the head and turned him into stone to free his mother. He explained that when a man saw something frightening such as a naked woman, he associated it with his mother because it was his first experience with the female form. Medusa was killed by the hero Perseus, a son of Zeus and the mortal Argive princess Danae. Medusas head was finally given to the goddess Athena, becoming part of the armor she wore into battle. They claim that she spent most of her life in Sarpedon, which was close to Cisthene with her Gorgon sisters and also died there. Perseus was attending sporting games (either for competition or part of funeral celebrations), where he was playing quoits (or discus throw). Dionysios Skytobrachion wrote about her during the second century and claimed that she both lived and died in an area of Libya. She was a monster, a Gorgon, generally described as a winged human female with living venomous snakes in place of hair. Athena became the goddess of crafts and skilled peacetime pursuits in general. Polydectes had fallen in love with Danae. Gorgon head on terracotta tile, South Italy (c. 540 BC). That she ultimately became allegorized to personify wisdom and righteousness was a natural development of her patronage of skill. Defining their individualistic artistic Never miss DailyArt Magazine's stories. Themis was one of the first twelve Titans, direct descendants of Gaea (Mother Earth) and Uranus (Father Sky), the first beings to ever exist in the universe. Also in more modern art, the subject of Medusas head became quite popular. Acrisius, not knowing his grandson was present and not being careful as a spectator, was struck by one of these discs and died instantly. Thence, by Athenas curse anyone she looked upon turned to stone. Disappointed by his lack of luck in having a son, Acrisius consulted the Oracle at Delphi, who warned him that he would one day be killed by his daughter's son. Legend says that Medusa was one of three children born to Phorcys. When the king turned to the Gods, they agreed to help as they worried about what the creature could do. The best-known story of Perseus and Dionysus comes from Nonnus, who wrote an entire biography of the bacchic god. During that time, Medusa was pregnant by Poseidon. Danae was the firstborn child of King Acrisius, and he was concerned that he would not have a son to take over his kingdom. Many later versions of the myth claimed that she was once a beautiful What Happened When Perseus Returned With the Head of Medusa? Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. She was widely worshipped, but in modern times she is associated primarily with Athens, to which she gave her name. Poseidon tempted her into having sexual intercourse with him in a temple to Athena. There was an alternative story that Zeus swallowed Metis, the goddess of counsel, while she was pregnant with Athena, so that Athena finally emerged from Zeus. Perseus was the child of Danae, a princess of Argos. London: Nutt, 189496. While much was written about the Perseus legend, modern historians and archeologists have been unable to uncover anything about the real Argive king. To cite this article in an academic-style article or paper, use: Thomas Gregory, "Perseus: The Argive Hero of Greek Mythology", History Cooperative, September 24, 2022, https://historycooperative.org/perseus/. Detail. Webtext Epitome. Hermes, the messenger of the Greek gods, wore winged sandals that let him fly at supernatural speed around the world to pass messages between gods, and also bring warnings and prophesies to mortals. Diodorus of Sicily, Library of History: A work of universal history, covering events from the creation of the cosmos to Diodorus own time (mid-first century BCE).