According to legend, Medusa had two other Gorgon sisters, named Stheno and Euryale. Though her sisters were always grotesque, Medusa is often said to have been quite beautiful in her earlier days. However, after she angered Athena, the goddess punished her by transforming her hair into serpents and giving her a gaze that would turn any creature that locked eyes with her to stone.
Medusa was also the only one of her sisters who was mortal. The Greek mythical hero Perseus, on a quest to retrieve Medusa’s head for King Polydectes, was assisted by the gods, who provided him with valuable tools for this task.
Hermes gave Perseus sandals with golden wings, while Hephaestus gave him a sword and Hades gave him a helmet that rendered him invisible. But the most valuable gift came from Athena herself, who provided Perseus with a mirrored shield. By looking into the shield’s reflection, instead of directly at Medusa, Perseus was able to slay the Gorgon and collect her head.
After she died, two other mythical beings sprang forth from her body: the winged horse Pegasus, and a giant with a golden sword named Chrysaor. Perseus was able to use Medusa’s head as a valuable weapon, as even after death it would still turn those who met its eyes to stone. Eventually he gifted the head to Athena.
Later, it was said that the famous Ancient Greek hero Hercules received a lock of Medusa’s serpentine hair, which he provided to Sterope to protect the town of Tegea. When brought out into the open, it was said that the severed serpent would cause a great storm.
