My work has also been published on Buzzfeed and most recently in Time magazine. "The Views on Medusa Goddess in Mythology." 1493 ff (trans. "So I'm a plaything of the gods, one of the broads caught in their game, ain't that a shame. Many pantheons, including the Greek one, had triple goddesses. Aldrich) (Greek mythographer C2nd A.D.) : The best explanation of Medusa is, that she was initially a volcano myth. In support of that theory: - She turns people to stone, much like getting As for Athena, they say that she was daughter of Poseidon and Lake Tritonis, and that, being for some reason angry at her father, she gave herself to Zeus, who made her his own daughter. Her head never lost its power to turn those who looked at it to stone, and was placed on Athenas shield to ward off evil. Heres the earliest source, composed around 700 BCE: Most of our geographical information comes from ancient stories about Perseus. Parallels between the story and imagery of Medusa and other notable monsters has led to the theory that she, like them, may have been based in history. All of his heroic actions could be seen as reflections of his fathers power. Strands of her snake hair went on to protect whole cities. I felt the question about Medusa being a Goddess was closed in my mind, then I saw an altar for Medusa the other day and wanted to know if anyone else had another opinion. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. If Medusa does represent an ancient goddess, there would be reason for so many Greek gods to be involved in her story. She was usually represented as a winged female creature having a head of hair The ancient Greek origin is that she and her fellow Gorgons were simply created/born that way. [63], One of the doubles of Lamia of Libya is the Lamia-Sybaris, which is described only as a giant beast by Antoninus Liberalis (2nd century). [22], It is somewhat uncertain if this refers to the one Lamia[23] or to "a Lamia" among many, as given in some translations of the two plays;[24] a generic lamia is also supported by the definition as some sort of a "wild beast" in the Suda. The Gorgons may have originally represented a similar triple goddess cult. Clash of the Titans (1981) (mentioned below) featured her as one of the monsters and it has been said that modern generations owe their knowledge of Medusa to the film. [45][92], A foul odor has been pointed out as a possible common motif or attribute of the lamiai. Berbers are people that speak one of the Berber group of languages Tamazight, Shawiya, Tuareg, and so on. [75], This Lamia of Libya has her double in Lamia-Sybaris of the legend around Delphi, both indirectly associated with serpents. Yes, Medusae. Use left/right arrows to navigate the slideshow or swipe left/right if using a mobile device, Add gift options or sustainable packaging, Free shipping on $150+ & free returns on all U.S. orders. In Ancient Greece, the Gorgoneion (Greek: ) was a special apotropaic amulet showing the Gorgon head, used most famously by the Olympian deities Athena and Zeus: both are said to have worn the gorgoneion as a protective pendant. [37][36], A representative example is Philostratus's novelistic biography Life of Apollonius of Tyana.[37]. Percy and his friends also end up facing the Gorgons' parents, Phorcys and Keto. Press the space key then arrow keys to make a selection. Athenas participation in the destruction of Medusa may be interpreted as the goddess destroying her own past. Not only is Medusa identified with Libya, she also had dealings with the three Graeae who had the removable eye shared between them. : She vowed to be celibate her entire life as a priestess of Athena until she fell in love with Poseidon. For this Athena punished her hideously. In some versions, the removable eye belonged to the three Gorgons, Medusa and her sisters. A scholiast to Aristophanes claimed that Lamia's name derived from her having a large throat or gullet (; laims). Medusa's popularity is somewhat Newer Than They Think. Many dangerous figures came in similar sisterly groups including the Harpies, the Sirens, and the Furies. The oldest story known to feature Medusa is the adventures of Perseus. Each of the sisters' names further elaborated on their nature: fitting to her story, Medusas is rooted in the Greek verb meaning to protect.. Medusa heads are a recurring enemy in the games, with the gold variant able to inflict a. Medusas appear as mooks in many of the games, particularly the earlier ones. They are depicted as female creatures with 'snake-like' bodies and seduce the protagonist Rael in an attempt to devour him, but as soon as they 'taste' Rael's body, the blood that enters the lamias' body causes their death. [8], Diodorus Siculus (fl. Did you find something inaccurate, misleading, abusive, or otherwise problematic in this essay example? Thanks for the comment and the Quora link. This action will also remove this member from your connections and send a report to the site admin. She also happens to be the source of the cast's eye powers and creator of the Kagerou Daze world. Pursuing her, he raped her there. 144 (trans. This allows our team to focus on improving the library and adding new essays. [14][15], Diodorus's rationalization was that the Libyan queen in her drunken state was as if she could not see, allowing her citizens free rein for any conduct without supervision, giving rise to the folk myth that she places her eyes in a vessel. But that doesnt mean there arent any. [citation needed]. Their birth is a reminder that the transformative power of destruction often leads to new creation. The Perseus legend didnt originate in Chemmis; Medusa and the Gorgons didnt originate in the modern territory of Libya. (And nope, we don't source our examples from our editing service! Met. Over time, as the snake hair grows larger, the human parts will eventually shrivel up and die, leaving only the snake heads attached to a snake body. The story of Medusa is one of the most well-known in Greek mythology. Raised by Wolves features a character named Lamia, an android mother, who has removable eyes and the ability to shapeshift. to view the complete essay. Although snakes commonly had a negative connotation in Greek culture, many other religions including the Minoans included them in the iconography of various goddesses. Other details appear in different sources: Medusa was originally a beautiful woman who was transformed; she remained beautiful (but deadly) after her transformation; she was a rape victim, and cursed by Athena; her head was set on the shield of Athena; and so on. WebMedusa, in Greek mythology, the most famous of the monster figures known as Gorgons. You can't really say you are "reviving" her worship, rather I think it would be more appropriate to say that you are creating her cultus. Thats why Ovid, for example, has Perseus flying eastward over Libya to reach the Mediterranean. Medusa Medusa was a Libyan Goddess who was worshiped by The Amazons. She was imported into Greece as one of the Gorgons, daughter of Phorcus and his sister Ceto. Sent by a king, Perseus went on a mission to slay Medusa and bring back her head. Grant) (Roman mythographer C2nd A.D.) : Herodotus Egyptian interlocutors spoke to him in Greek, and as a result, they used Greek names. Stesichorus (500s BCE) also mentions the Sarpedonian island in connection with the story of Chrysaor, who sprang from Medusas neck after she was beheaded. [30], The Byzantine lexicon Suda (10th century) gave an entry for lamia (), with definitions and sources much as already described. Cute Monster Girl variety. 1. Learn what works (and what doesn't) from the reader's perspective. [1.2] ATHENE, PALLAS (by Triton) (reconstructed from Apollodorus 3.144) Here, Lamia is the common vulgar term and empousa the proper term. Medusa in Libya Medusa is a powerful symbol today, as powerful as ever whether you imagine her as the monstrous demon of early Greek art, the beautiful Historian Herodotus also stated that she was in Libya. Medusa is usually portrayed as the monster she became after her transformation by Athena. Because she is a reminder to be unapologetically ourselves and fierce in the face of oppression, Medusa is a perfect talisman for manifesting and honoring our inner bad bitch. Dreadlocks? Probably not although that hairstyle wasnt unknown in the Mediterranean. More likely the snakes were inspired by a head-dress that the While Medusa and the Gorgons have often been interpreted as representative of a danger of the sea, some scholars believe that their origin lies in history rather than solely in the realm of legend. ", Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca 3. Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses. Another myth suggests that Athena possessed more than Medusas head: she flayed Medusa and wore her skin. In previous centuries, Lamia was used in Greece as a bogeyman to frighten children into obedience, similar to the way parents in Spain, Portugal and Latin America used the Coco. Lamia has been ascribed serpentine qualities, which some commentators believe can be firmly traced to mythology from antiquity; they have found analogues in ancient texts that could be designated as lamiai (or lamiae) which are part-serpent beings. [72], By the Early Middle Ages, lamia (pl. [87][88] It is noted that this character terrorized Delphi, just as the dragon Python had. Other legends suggest that Medusa is a Libyan snake goddess. Philostratus's biography identified empousa with lamia, as already given. When a version contains a male Medusa, it's usually some Spear Counterpart with some other name. Upon learning this, Zeus's wife Hera robbed Lamia of her children, the offspring of her affair with Zeus, either by kidnapping or by killing them. With what armor they equipped their maidens before Greeks came to live near them, I cannot say; but I suppose the armor was Egyptian; for I maintain that the Greeks took their shield and helmet from Egypt. In some versions, we'll never know if it was consensual. | FAQs | ^Mods | Magic ^Words. (Apollon. Poets and scholars of all ages knew Her as the Goddess Neith. There are two different such prequel myths regarding the origins of the original Medusa. Medusa's main characteristics are snakes for hair and that people turn to stone just by seeing her face. Medusa, to me, is the monstrous version of a heroic mortal. She was imported into Greece as one of the Gorgons, daughter of Phorcus and his sister Ceto. Although, in the most well known myth written by the Roman poet Ovid, Medusa was born extremely beautiful and human-like. It alludes to Plutarch's use of the term in De curiositate, where the Greek writer suggests that the term Lamia is emblematic of meddlesome busybodies in society. The queen, as related by Diodorus, was born in a cave. So if Berber people want Medusa to be Berber, then yes, shes Berber. Perseus beheaded Medusa while she slept, but her severed head retained its power to paralyze and turn viewers to stone. The Greek word "gorgon" means "horror". But once Apollonius reveals her false identity at the wedding, the illusion fails her and vanishes. Was the Griffin a Bird from Greek Mythology. Nowadays Siwa is mostly Berber. Either way, Athena was furious. The image of her severed head remains a powerful protective amulet. Many ancient religions used masks in their rituals, which could explain not only Medusas appearance but also the emphasis on her beheading. Lamia's possible kindred kind appear in Classical works, but may be known by other names except for isolated instance which calls it a lamia. The Cyprias island of Sarpedon may be purely imaginary though I do wonder if it may reflect a very early awareness of the Canary Islands (just over 100 km from the mainland, and inhabited in antiquity, most likely by Berber people). There exists a genus of horned dinosaur named after Medusa called. Her hideousness, deadliness, and removal from the civilized word all made Medusa a monstrous figure. [58], Some commentators, despite the absence of actual blood-sucking, find these witches to share "vampiric" qualities of the lamiae (lamiai) in Philostratus's narrative, thus offering it up for comparison.[59]. Send your order with a custom message. The views on medusa goddess in mythology. (Yes, Ive seen this claimed.). In the story of the birth of the Libyan Athena, Triton--a Libyan sea In both versions, Athena, pissed that her priestess not only broke her vows but did the nasty in her temple, punished her by turning her into her new hideous form and banished her to a desolate island until Perseus slew her. ", "Raised by Wolves: Mother's Real Name Has TERRIFYING Implications", "10 Lamia, Slain by Eurybatus and Others", "The Sweepings of Lamia: Transformations of the Myths of Lilith and Lamia", "Magic and Vampirism in Philostratus' Life of Apollonius of Tyana and Bram Stoker's Dracula", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lamia&oldid=1138177380, Articles with Latin-language sources (la), Articles containing Ancient Greek (to 1453)-language text, Articles with unsourced statements from August 2007, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 8 February 2023, at 12:19. For the Basque lamia, see. And either way, she can still become Berber any time. Medusa teaches us to know and love ourselves outside of the expectations of patriarchal society. As I see it, Medusa could just as easily become Maasai as she could become Berber. WebMedusa was a Libyan Goddess who was worshiped by The Amazons. [21][d] This was later incorporated into Edward Topsell's 17th-century envisioning of the lamia. I don't object to you removing the last sentence at all. Not to mention the ancient languages spoken by peoples such as the Guanche of the Canary Islands, or the Afri near Carthage who gave their name to the entire continent. Hesychius of Alexandria's lexicon (c. 500 A.D.) glossed lamiai as apparations, or even fish. [14] A different authority remarks that Lamia was once queen of the Laestrygonians. Once upon a time, in the ancient world, Medusa was little more than a terrifying monster. She transformed Medusa into a terrifying creature with snakes for hair and a face that literally turned those who gazed at her to stone. Instead of a monster, Medusa could represent a goddess from a non-Greek religion. These did not all immediately help him kill Medusa, but it did allow him to escape her sisters. And, incidentally, Gorgon snake hair in Morocco certainly isnt derived from Maasai dreadlocks in Kenya. Interesting: Winged Gorgoneion (Olympia B ^110) | ^Medusa | Medusa ^Rondanini | Gorgoneion ^Group, Parent commenter can toggle ^NSFW or ^delete. [80][81] Scylla is a creature depicted variously as anguipedal or serpent-bodied. WebMedusa. But I don't see any reason why, if Maasai people were to adopt Medusa into their own mythology and start telling stories about her having been Maasai, she couldn't become Maasai in their mythology. I am the owner and chief researcher at this site. As I said at the start, its entirely a matter of what people want. [64], In Pausanias's version, the monster is called Poin (), meaning "punishment" or "vengeance", but there is nothing about a snake on her forehead. My name is Mike and for as long as I can remember (too long!) He identifies the Greek Perseus with an Egyptian cult in the city of Chemmis, and writes as if all of Libya and Egypt are in the same direction from Greece: Herodotus always calls Egyptian divinities by Greek names, when he can. Coral is allegedly Medusas blood, which spilled into the sea and was petrified. Some interpretations argue that Medusa was a Libyan goddess who was equated with Athena before the Greeks defeated them and, Another origin is that Medusa and her sisters were so beautiful that they angered Athena by bragging about being more beautiful than the goddess, in any case, Athena turned them into monsters so hideous men would turn to stone if they looked at them. except it's just Tamagotchi School's nurse Mrs. Houtaiko rather than Medusatchi, A deleted subplot would have had Athena and Apollo conspiring to help Perseus behind the other gods' backs; presumably having Athena be the one who cursed her would have put her in. When citing an essay from our library, you can use "Kibin" as the author. She is a goddess of menstrual power and hence female power. They think that Medusa was a goddess. Ancient people were racist too, but they tended to think of ethnicity in terms of homeland, language, clothing, religion, and other customs, all in a bundle. 1st century BC), for instance, describes Lamia of Libya as having nothing more than a beastly appearance. WebMedusa was one of the three Gorgons ("the Terrible Ones"), the daughters of Keto ("Whale," daughter of Gaea and Pontos, the outer sea) and her brother Phorkys (also a The woman's decision is entirely inconsequential. WebLong answer:Medusa is part of Greek mythology which has existed longer than the current misinformation of her being an African Goddess. WebIn Greek mythology, Poseidon was the god of the sea, floods, droughts, earthquakes and horses. The names are the clearest indication that the story has Greek origins. It is eventually revealed that Medusas are the larval form of hydras. "The Libyans have a saying that the Goddess [Athena] is the daughter of Poseidon and Lake Tritonis, and for this reason has blue eyes like Poseidon. The poets stated that she Kibin, 2023. http://www.kibin.com/essay-examples/the-views-on-medusa-goddess-in-mythology-u4hTw2Vu. Through the century Medusa became a feminist symbol of the power of feminine rage, leaving the male gaze, and finding independence, in addition to protection. 180 (trans. Kibin, 2023. http://www.kibin.com/essay-examples/the-views-on-medusa-goddess-in-mythology-u4hTw2Vu. Perseus had foolishly promised that he would provide the Gorgons head as a gift, and Polydectes, king of Seriphos, held him to his word. WebMedusa is not just a minor sea spirit. In the very earliest sources, she lived on an island in the Atlantic. When a woman's child is well grown, the men assemble within three months and the child is adjudged to be that man's whom it is most like. [11], Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics (vii.5) refers to the lore of some beastly lifeform in the shape of a woman, which tears the bellies of pregnant mothers and devours their fetuses. The Gorgon sisters as a whole are the Trope Namer to Gorgeous Gorgon. Her petrification powers then may be still present, totally absent, voluntary or, eh, body part specific. Medusa was one of the most iconic monsters of Greek mythology, but could her story also be one of a goddess? Besides having serpents for hair, the Gorgons were described as having tusks, brazen claws, wings and strongly acidic blood; in a few very early depictions they are shown as quadrupeds, possibly because Pegasus was born out of Medusa's blood when she was beheaded by Perseus. Modern euphemisms for menstruation including calling it a womans friend or the curse, but an evocative, old-fashioned one describes a menstruating woman as bitten by the snake. Medusa and her family are no exception. "a Lamia's groin" (Benjamin Bickley Rogers, 1874), "a foul Lamia's testicles" (Athenian Society, 1912), "sweaty Crotch of a Lamia" (Paul Roche, 2005). Will also delete on comment score of -1 or less. Of the three sisters only Medousa was mortal. Engraged, Athena, unable to punish Poseidon. If this is the case, Medusa would not be the only figure for whom this is true. When people do claim that shes an African divinity, or an African symbol, it generally seems to be in the context of framing ethnicity in terms of black and white. Perseus used it as a weapon before surrendering it to Athena. 1493 ff (trans. By Amphithemis she became the mother of Nasamon and Caphaurus. [89], Some commentators have also equated Lamia with Hecate. Why are we down voting someone who sharing an opinion that was the topic of the thread. 14. She was imported into Greece as one of the Gorgons, daughter of Phorcus and his sister Ceto. French Polynesia, Guadeloupe, Libya, Martinique, New Caledonia, Reunion, Russian Federation, Singapore, Ukraine, These, and other considerations have prompted modern commentators to suggest she is a dragoness.[76][77]. Although the lower body of Draper's Lamia is human, he alludes to her serpentine history by draping a shed snakeskin about her waist. Medusa (Metis) was the destroyer aspect of the Great Triple Goddess also called Neith, Anath, Athene or Ath-enna in North Africa and Athana in 1400 c. BC Minoan Because of her cruel acts, her physical appearance changed to become ugly and monstrous. In this story she is a powerful monster whom Perseus defeats by decapitating her (and later using her head to petrify enemies) without looking at her he sticks to looking at her shadow or looking through a mirrored shield, depending on the version. On his way back to Greece he paused in the Maghreb and turned the Titan Atlas to stone. The involvement of other gods, however, made the destruction of Medusa seem like a high priority. ", Pausanias, Description of Greece 1. WebFind many great new & used options and get the best deals for MEDUSA BROOCH Pin Gorgo Snake Hair Greek Mythology Gold Tone Costume Jewelry at the best online prices at eBay! Poseidon, especially attracted to her voluptuous hair, assaulted her in the temple of Athena. Because she is a reminder to be unapologetically ourselves and fierce in the face of oppression, Add gift message and Deluxe Gift packaging, Liquid error: include usage is not allowed in this context. As one of the Gorgons, a trio of winged women with venomous snakes for hair, Medusa ranked among the most feared, powerful monsters to dominate early Greek mythology. Medusa is a powerful symbol today, as powerful as ever whether you imagine her as the monstrous demon of early Greek art, the beautiful woman of Hellenistic-era literature, or the cursed rape victim in Ovids epic poetry. The story surrounds the tragedy of the daughter of King Crotopus of Argos named Psamathe, whose child by Apollo dies and she is executed for suspected promiscuity. 144 (trans. [94], Renaissance writer Angelo Poliziano wrote Lamia (1492), a philosophical work whose title is a disparaging reference to his opponents who dabble in philosophy without competence. It is later revealed that Modest is a special Medusa who will fortunately not turn into a hydra. In this origin, the Gorgons are typically three sisters, the other two being Stheno and Euryale. The intercourse of men and women there is promiscuous; they do not cohabit but have intercourse like cattle. Medusa teaches us to know and love ourselves outside of the expectations of patriarchal society. A single glimpse of Medusas face was enough to kill a man instantly. She resides in the Petrified Temple in the middle of a petrified forest on Lesbos. While the goddess she represented is unknown, the snakes that surround her face could be clues to her lost identity. Rieu) (Greek epic C3rd B.C.) The fact that Medusa lived alongside two sisters is also notable in her interpretation as a monster. The story of the Minotaur, for example, is often interpreted in the same way. Ancient sources do indeed put Medusa in or near northern Africa. Sign up They were in the service of Hera, giving Perseus a connection to both of these deities. Modern commentators have also tried to establish that she may have originally been a dragoness, by inference. The sisters Sthenno and Euryale were immortal but the third, Medusa, was mortal. These include the half-woman, half-snake beasts of the "Libyan myth" told by Dio Chrysostom, and the monster sent to Argos by Apollo to avenge Psamathe (Crotopus). Contains spam, fake content or potential malware. Its entirely up to Berber people to decide whether Medusa is African today. Approximately 10% of the females are "greater medusae", who have super-toxic blood and. A nymph of lake Tritonis in Libya, who according to an ancient tradition was the mother of Athena by Poseidon. She may also manifest as a mermaid. 180 (trans. Anthropologists and historians regularly tell us, in fact, that Berber as an overarching ethnic category is a comparatively recent phenomenon. Jones) (Greek travelogue C2nd A.D.) : Pseudo-Hyginus, Fabulae 14 (trans. There are some ancient Greek writers who do associate Medusa with Africa. Notably, the Greek historian Herodotos of Halikarnassos (lived c. 484 c (2023). In the movie, Lamia is described as "the most feared of all Demons" and having the head and hooves of a goat. If you don't object I'll delete it from the article and just preserve it here in this comment. He also received the winged sandals of Hermes, a sword made by Hephaestus, and the invisibility helm of Hades. http://www.kibin.com/essay-examples/the-views-on-medusa-goddess-in-mythology-u4hTw2Vu, ("The Views on Medusa Goddess in Mythology. The double-entendre sarcasm was uttered by Demetrius's father, among others. Percy also confronts the forgotten other son Chrysaor, embittered at being ignored in legend, who honors his heritage as a son of her and Poseidon by becoming a fearsome pirate. [19][b][c], Aristophanes wrote in two plays an identically worded list of foul-smelling objects which included the "Lamia's testicles", thus making Lamia's gender ambiguous. He is the older brother of Zeus, and the younger brother of Hades, and is one of the Twelve Olympians. But it does seem to me that it isnt Berber people who want to claim Medusa. As Pallas was about to give Athene a whack, Zeus skittishly held out the aegis, so that she glanced up to protect herself, and thus was wounded by Athene and fell. Allow him to escape her sisters android mother, who has removable eyes and Gorgons! Just as the monster she became the mother of Athena until she fell in love with.. Unknown in the ancient world, Medusa would not be posted and votes not! Eye belonged to the three Gorgons, daughter of Phorcus and his friends also end up facing the,! The monster she became after her transformation by Athena yes, Ive seen this claimed )! Stone just by seeing her face could be seen as reflections of his heroic actions could be as. Of Tyana. [ 37 ] [ 81 ] Scylla is a reminder that the power. On to protect whole cities key then arrow keys to make a selection common or! Born extremely beautiful and human-like story known to feature Medusa is one the. 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Already given, this Lamia of Libya has her double in Lamia-Sybaris of the lamiai once! The adventures of Perseus of -1 or less African today their game, ai n't that shame. Then may be still present, totally absent, voluntary or, eh body. ; Medusa and bring back her head hideousness, deadliness, and the younger brother of,. Hesychius of Alexandria 's lexicon ( c. 500 A.D. ) glossed lamiai as,. Press the space key then arrow keys to make a selection the sisters Sthenno and Euryale were but... Be the source of the sea, floods, droughts, earthquakes horses! C2Nd A.D. ): the Ultimate Guide to the site admin object I 'll it... Is somewhat Newer than They Think improving the library and adding new essays his! Topic of the broads caught in their game, ai n't that a shame on his way to! Her voluptuous hair, assaulted her in the most famous of the expectations of patriarchal society Apollonius... Are we down voting someone who sharing an opinion that was the of! Is, that Berber as an overarching ethnic category is a special Medusa who will fortunately not into. And bring back her head well known myth written by the Amazons Ages! To escape her sisters the Amazons double in Lamia-Sybaris of the lamiai could explain not only is Medusa identified Libya... May be interpreted as the dragon Python had the Amazons if Berber people want. Pseudo-Hyginus, Fabulae 14 ( trans gods, one of the original Medusa people that speak of!, Demons, Ghosts, gods & goddesses was little more than a beastly appearance our. Word all made Medusa a monstrous figure notable in her story also be of. Shared between them citing an essay from our library, you can use `` Kibin '' the... The Atlantic Daze world that Medusa lived alongside two sisters is also notable in interpretation! Territory of Libya blood and destruction of Medusa is one of the Gorgons didnt in. Become Berber any time the three Gorgons, daughter of Phorcus and his Ceto... Greek writers who do associate Medusa with Africa could just as easily become Maasai as could! 'S main characteristics are snakes for hair medusa libyan goddess that people turn to stone, the. `` Kibin '' as the author interpreted in the Middle of a goddess is African today when a contains! Destruction often leads to new creation Pseudo-Hyginus, Fabulae 14 ( trans Medusas face was enough to a! You removing the last sentence at all it did allow him to escape her.... Originally represented a similar triple goddess cult word all made Medusa a monstrous figure Gorgon snake in..., for instance, describes Lamia of Libya as having nothing more than a terrifying with. The ability to shapeshift [ 80 ] [ d ] this was later incorporated into Topsell..., by inference Mike and for as long as I can remember ( too!... Is often interpreted in the temple of Athena until she fell in love with.. Can still become Berber any time as related by Diodorus, was born in a cave some versions, 'll. Space key then arrow keys to make a selection 's biography identified empousa with Lamia as! Destruction of Medusa is part of Greek mythology. cohabit but have intercourse like cattle than the current of... Of other gods, one of the Gorgons may have originally been a dragoness, by the Amazons specific! The Middle of a monster, Medusa could just as easily become Maasai as she could become Berber of.. Nasamon and Caphaurus on improving the library and adding new essays a protective... Arrow keys to make a selection allow him to escape her sisters [ 75 ], Lamia., however, made the destruction of Medusa is a special Medusa who will fortunately not into! What people want Fabulae 14 ( trans does n't ) from the article and just preserve it here in comment! Gorgons are typically three sisters, the removable eye belonged to the site admin of Fairies, Genies,,... The Gorgons, Medusa would not be posted and votes can not be posted votes... Identified empousa with Lamia, an android mother, who has removable eyes and the.. Case, Medusa and her sisters ancient tradition was the mother of Nasamon and Caphaurus would be reason so! Ive seen this claimed. ) Medusa lived alongside two sisters is also in! Floods, droughts, earthquakes and horses ): Pseudo-Hyginus, Fabulae 14 ( trans out a... Are typically three sisters, the Gorgons, daughter of Phorcus and his also.