How did Medusa become Medusa?

The snake-haired Medusa does not become widespread until the first century B.C. The Roman author Ovid describes the mortal Medusa as a beautiful maiden seduced by Poseidon in a temple of Athena. Such a sacrilege attracted the goddess' wrath, and she punished Medusa by turning her hair to snakes.
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Why did Medusa turn into Medusa?

When Medusa had an affair with the sea god Poseidon, Athena punished her. She turned Medusa into a hideous hag, making her hair into writhing snakes and her skin was turned a greenish hue. Anyone who locked gaze with Medusa was turned into stone. The hero Perseus was sent on a quest to kill Medusa.
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How did Medusa become a creature?

It is in the Roman poet Ovid's Metamorphoses that her story is most deeply elaborated. She was lovely, according to the poem—until she was raped in Athena's temple by Poseidon. Athena then punished her for this violation, by turning her into the monstrous, stony-glanced creature that we know.
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Who turned Medusa into?

Athena Turned Medusa Into A Gorgon

According to Ovid, Medusa was initially a beautiful young woman. However, one day she was raped by Poseidon inside Athena's temple.
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How did Medusa get her name?

Gorgon Medusa

Medusa – whose name probably comes from the Ancient Greek word for “guardian” – was one of the three Gorgons, daughters of the sea gods Phorcys and Ceto, and sisters of the Graeae, Echidna, and Ladon.
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The Story Of Medusa - Greek Mythology Explained



What is Medusa's real story?

The snake-haired Medusa does not become widespread until the first century B.C. The Roman author Ovid describes the mortal Medusa as a beautiful maiden seduced by Poseidon in a temple of Athena. Such a sacrilege attracted the goddess' wrath, and she punished Medusa by turning her hair to snakes.
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Who was the ugliest god?

Hephaestus. Hephaestus is the son of Zeus and Hera. Sometimes it is said that Hera alone produced him and that he has no father. He is the only god to be physically ugly.
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Was Medusa raped by Perseus?

Medusa. The Medusa we know was raped by Poseidon in the goddess Athena's temple. 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.
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Who is the most badass goddess?

8 Women From Mythology Who Were Badass Even Before The Term Was Coined
  1. Kali - the slayer of evils. ...
  2. Hel - goddess of the dead. ...
  3. Anat - the goddess of sexual love. ...
  4. Amaterasu - the source of light. ...
  5. Ix - Chel - the moon goddess. ...
  6. Louhi - the goddess of death. ...
  7. Mami Wata - the river goddess. ...
  8. Tiamat - the goddess of the ocean.
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What was Medusa's real name?

Medusa is honored in the following scientific names: Acanthemblemaria medusa Smith-Vaniz & Palacio 1974.
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Why did Athena punish Medusa and not Poseidon?

Poseidon was a god, and Athena was a goddess. She was not powerful enough to punish Poseidon. He is a elder god, which makes him second only to Zeus.
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Who was Medusa before she became a monster?

Before Medusa was known as a terrifying monster, she was a beautiful maiden who was very kind and pious. Medusa was the daughter of Phorcys and Ceto. Phorcys was a sea god and Ceto was the goddess of sea monsters. Ceto gave birth to all three of the gorgons; Sthenno, Euryale, and Medusa.
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What did Poseidon do to Medusa?

When Medusa refused, Poseidon pinned her against Athena's altar and had his way with her anyway. Athena was enraged that a rape took place in her temple, but she couldn't punish Poseidon for it. In her fit of anger, she carried out her revenge on Medusa, cursing her. Medusa immediately fell to the ground.
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Who was Medusa in love with?

Medusa and Poseidon engaged in a love affair and would have two children together, but not before Athena discovered the illicit affair.
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Was Athena jealous of Medusa?

Once Athena found out about this affair, her jealousy raged and she became furious! She then decided to put a nasty curse on Medusa for breaking her promise of celibacy. This curse turned Medusa's beautiful locks into venomous snakes and made it so that whenever someone looked at Medusa, they would turn to stone.
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What does Medusa head symbolize?

Medusa represent power and the ability to destroy one's enemies. She's often viewed as a strong figure. Her head is viewed as a protective symbol and was even used by the French Revolution as a symbol of French liberation and freedom.
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Who was prettier than Aphrodite?

Psyche was a young princess from Sicily, famous for her extraordinary beauty. According to legend, she was even more beautiful than Aphrodite, the goddess of beauty.
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Who was the prettiest god?

Aphrodite was the most beautiful of all the Goddesses and there are many tales of how she could encourage both Gods and humans to fall in love with her.
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Who is the handsomest god?

Apollo's Appearance

Apollo was considered to be the most handsome of all the gods. He was always depicted as having long, golden hair – the same color as the sun. He was tall and had plenty of muscles.
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Did Poseidon and Medusa have a child?

Medusa was the only Gorgon who was mortal; hence her slayer, Perseus, was able to kill her by cutting off her head. From the blood that spurted from her neck sprang Chrysaor and Pegasus, her two sons by Poseidon.
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Who is the god of poop?

Sterculius, the Roman God of Feces.
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Who is the god of stupidity?

In Greek mythology, Koalemos (Ancient Greek: Κοάλεμος) was the god of stupidity, mentioned once by Aristophanes, and being found also in Parallel Lives by Plutarch. Coalemus is the Latin spelling of the name.
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Why is Athena a virgin?

Althought Athena is a virgin goddess, she mothered the god Erichthonios by Hephaestus. According to myth, she went to Hephaestus wanting some weapons forged. When Hephaestus tried to rape her, she protected her virginity and he ejaculated on her leg.
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What does a Medusa Tattoo mean for a girl?

From Ancient Greek mythology, the story can be interpreted in many ways; to some, Medusa represents female power, freedom, and transformation, but she has evil and jealous qualities to others. Her reptilian skin and hair could also symbolize a cycle of death and rebirth.
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What was Medusa's weakness?

Just as a person who has extra-acute hearing can be more easily overwhelmed by very loud noises, so too is Medusa particularly prone to psychic attacks. Her openness to others also leaves her open to attack. Medusa refers to this as a 'weakness.
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