Medusa

One of the daughters of Phorkys (Phorcys) who were known collectively as the Gorgons.

Medusa’s sisters were named Sthenno, Euryale; Medusa was the only Gorgon who was mortal but anyone who gazed upon her face was turned to stone.

Perhaps three generations before Herakles (Heracles), the hero Perseus was sent by the king of the island of Seriphos, Polydektes (Polydectes), to kill Medusa and cut off her head; Perseus first sought out the sisters of the Gorgons, the Graiai (Gray Sisters), who were gray from birth, shared one tooth and one eye between them (later descriptions of the Graiae include a third sister, Deino, as one of the Graiai); Perseus stole their tooth and eye and, using them as ransom, forced the Graiai to give him the location of the nymphs who had possession of the Cap of Hades (which would make him invisible), a pair of winged sandals (for flying) and a kibisis (a bag to hold Medusa’s head); he later obtained a sickle (or sword) from Hermes and set out to slay Medusa.

With the help of Athene (Athena) he was able to cut off Medusa’s head; after the attack on their sister, Sthenno and Euryale chased Perseus but his flying sandals saved him; as Perseus flew across the Libyan desert the drops of blood from Medusa’s head produced a generation of serpents; also created from the blood of Medusa was the flying horse Pegasos (Pegasus) and the swordsman, Khrysaor (Chrysaor).

For more detailed information on Medusa I suggest that you consult the Immortals section.

• Theogony, line 275