perseus and medusa summary

ii. 18. After the death of her father, Phorkys (Phorcys), she reigned over those living around Lake Tritonis, going out hunting and leading the Libyans to battle. King of Tiryns, feuding twin brother of Akrisios. One of the most intriguing things about famous Greek myths is how they came about. Aldrich) (Greek mythographer C2nd A.D.) : Pseudo-Hyginus, Astronomica 2. "[Perseus enters the cave of the Gorgones :] Into the cave he rushed like a wild boar. Medusa was the only one of the Gorgons who was mortal. "Jupiter [Zeus], dissolved in showers of imitation gold. 372); or Danaë is said to have come to Italy with two sons, Argus and Argeus, whom she had by Phineus, and took up her abode on the spot where Rome was afterwards built (Serv. Palat. Each year, the Behind the Lines political cartoon exhibition offers up a neat satirical summary of events. Eventually, Perseus gave Medusa’s head to Athena to place on her shield, and this, one surmises, is meant to be the origin of the Gorgoneion. xiv. Hallo There! 1505 ff (trans. 838 ; Horat. Perseus, therefore, with Athena guiding his hand, kept his eyes on the reflection in a bronze shield as he stood over the sleeping Gorgones, and when he saw the image of Medousa, he beheaded her.--As soon as her head was severed there leaped from her body the winged horse Pegasos (Pegasus) and Khrysaor (Chrysaor), the father of Geryon. They all had snakes for hair. 21. 11 : ", Nonnus, Dionysiaca 25. A winged horse born from Medousa's neck stump. Later, Perseus gave the head of Medusa to Athena to put on the front of her shield. King of Pisa in Elis, killed the suitors of his daughter in a chariot race. King of Argos, grandson of Danaus, and a descendant of Io. Herdsmen and shepherds, anyone in the place! . But Prokles (Procles), the son of Eukrates, a Carthaginian, thought a different account more plausible than the preceding. [1.3] ALKAIOS, STHENELOS, MESTOR, ELEKTRYON (by Andromeda) (Scholiast on Apoll. 52. Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca 2. Proitos made his way to Iobates, or, according to some, to Amphianax in Lykia (Lycia), and married his daughter, whom Homeros (Homer) calls Anteia, although the tragic poets call her Stheneboia (Stheneboea). Astr. 12; Theon, ad Arat. iv. A kingdom on the Aegean coast of Anatolia (Turkey). ", Ovid, Metamorphoses 4. 345). Herc. Chorus [of Satyrs] : Come now, dear fellows, let us go and hurry on the marriage [with Danae], for the time is ripe for it and without words speaks for it. v. 236, &c.); Perseus slew Proetus, and was afterwards killed by Megapenthes, the son of Proetus, who avenged the death of his father. ad Aen. Perseus’ defeat of Medusa, one of the Gorgons, is well-known. Rhod. Weir Smyth) (Greek tragedy C5th B.C.) These Nymphai had in their possession winged sandals and the kibisis, which they say was a knapsack.--Pindaros and Hesiodos in the Shield of Herakles, describe Perseus as follows : ‘The head of a terrible monster, Gorgo, covered all his back, and a kibisis held it.’ It is called a kibisis because clothing and food are placed in it.--They also had the helmet of Haides. Or has the Old Man of the Islands [Nereus or Proteus] sent us something in a chest? Don't be frightened! "Perseus was the son of Danaê, the daughter of Akrisios (Acrisius), and Zeus. Astr. The Greek tragedian Euripides wrote a play describing the story of Danae. Perseus: The main character in this epic, who is sent to kill Medusa. ", Nonnus, Dionysiaca 7. to C1st A.D.) . They are thought to have had but one eye among them, and thus to have kept guard, watch one taking it in her turn. The deed itself no one has described. Conway) (Greek lyric C5th B.C.) . He takes the head of Medusa to the king's court and while the king is surprised that he survived his quest Perseus pulled out the head of Medusa, ", Ovid, Metamorphoses 4. Dictys had a brother, Polydectes, who took a shine to Danae and wanted to seduce her. "The Argives have other things worth seeing [in their town]; for instance, an underground building over which was the bronze chamber which Akrisios (Acrisius) once made to guard his daughter. 617 ff (trans. in the sea. (Paus. 23. : Not a sign; so far as I can see, the sea's a mill-pond. “Metamorphoses” is often called a mock-epic, as it is written in dactylic hexameter (the form of the great epic poems of the ancient tradition, such as “The Iliad”, “The Odyssey” and “The Aeneid”), unlike Ovid‘s other works. Three times did he behold the frozen Bears, times thrice his gaze was on the Crab's bent arms. DANAE. ERYTHEIA. Perseus and Medusa. "Seriphos, the scene of the mythical story of Diktys (Dictys), who with his net drew to land the chest in which were enclosed Perseus and his mother Danae, who had been sunk in the sea by Akrisios (Acrisius) the father of Danae; for Perseus was reared there. : Strabo, Geography 10. ii. They were carried safely to the island of Seriphos where they were offered refuge by the kindly, fisherman Diktys. ", Herodotus, Histories 7. He sees Andromeda chained to a rock as an offering to a sea monster. . Danaë’s father, forewarned that Perseus will someday kill him, locks the infant and his mother in a trunk and casts it into the sea. Il. Perseus takes to the air again. Perseus by Danae, daughter of Acrisius. : Sophocles, Danae (lost play) (Greek tragedy C5th B.C.) ad Eurip. ", Diodorus Siculus, Library of History 4. Perseus was the son of Danae and Zeus, who came to Danae in the form of a golden spring.It was foretold to Danae's father, Acrisius the King of Argos, that Danae's son would kill him.So Acrisius locked his daughter away in a bronze chamber, but Zeus transformed into a … A giant born from Medousa's neck stump. When Acrisius discovered that Danaë had given birth to a son, he threw both mother and son into a chest, and put them out to sea; but Zeus caused the chest to land in the island of Seriphos, one of the Cyclades, where Dictys, a fisherman, found them, and carried them to his brother, king Polydectes. Adapted from: Shmoop Editorial Team. Goold) (Roman elegy C1st B.C.) Although he dared not rival Atlas' might, Perseus made this reply; ‘For that my love you hold in light esteem, let this be yours.’ He said no more, but turning his own face, he showed upon his left Medusa's head, abhorrent features.--Atlas, huge and vast, becomes a mountain--His great beard and hair are forests, and his shoulders and his hands mountainous ridges, and his head the top of a high peak;--his bones are changed to rocks. "When he [Midas of the golden-touch] washed his hands in liquid streams, the lustrous drops upon his hands might have been those which once astonished Danae. The first play of Aeschylus' Perseus trilogy, The Net-Draggers (or Diktyoulkoi), was a satyr-play describing the arrival of the chest containing Danae and her infant son Perseus on the island of Seriphos. Acrisius, who had no male issue, consulted the Pythian oracle, and received the answer, that if Danae should give birth to a son, he would kill his father. Farmers and ditchers, this way, all of you! 61 : The two brothers then split up all of Argeia [Argolis] between them and settled down, Akrisios lord of Argos, and Proitos lord of Tiryns. Rieu) (Greek epic C3rd B.C.) HIPPODAMEIA. ad Apollon. ", Pausanias, Description of Greece 2. Analysis . "[Amongst the scenes depicted on the shield of Herakles :] There, too, was the son of rich-haired Danae, the horseman Perseus : his feet did not touch the shield and yet were not far from it--very marvellous to remark, since he was not supported anywhere; for so did the famous Lame One [Hephaistos (Hephaestus)] fashion him of gold with his hands. Summary: Immortals Fenyx Rising is a storybook adventure about a forgotten hero on a quest to save the Greek gods. Or. And going through a great expanse of land he saw a virgin maiden, hideous and ugly, and turning aside [to speak] to her, he asked ‘what is your name?’ And she said, ‘Medousa.’ And cutting off her head he despatched her as he had been taught, and he hung it up, amazing and destroying all who saw it. The net-draggers of the title were the Satyrs who fished the chest ashore. Evelyn-White) (Greek epic C8th or C7th B.C.) And daddy shall give, the little one his fun. Two serpents hung down at their girdles with heads curved forward: their tongues were flickering, and their teeth gnashing with fury, and their eyes glaring fiercely. Weir Smyth) (Greek tragedy C5th B.C.) Chorus [of Satyrs] : Look, the little one [Perseus] is smiling sweetly as he looks on his [Silenos'] shining raddled bald pate. However, this is a much-condensed version of a somewhat longer tale, and the above summary leaves out some of the most magical and exciting – not to mention most human – aspects of the story of Perseus and Medusa. took out the divine quiver, in which were kept apart twelve firefed arrows for Zeus, when his desire turned towards one or another of mortal women for a bride. On his bed, Percy finds the packaged head of Medusa that he had tried to send to Olympus, and realizes that the gods gave it to him so he can get rid of Gabe by turning him to stone. . So, when the guards were blinded, he easily killed the Gorgon when she was overcome with sleep. Well, now that she has before her eyes our youthful vigour, she rejoices and exults; such is the bridegroom that by the bright gleam of Aphrodite's torches.". Homer, Iliad 14. 110 ff (trans. Jones) (Greek travelogue C2nd A.D.) : Post was not sent - check your email addresses! Being thus armed, he went to the Gorgons, who dwelt near Tartessus on the coast of the Ocean, whose heads were covered, like those of serpents, with scales, and who had large tusks like boars, brazen hands, and golden wings. Danae : Rivers of Argos and gods of my fathers, and you, Zeus, who bring my ordeal to such an end! DIKTYS (Dictys). Perseus, Athena and head of Medusa, Apulian red-figure krater C4th B.C., Museum of Fine Arts Boston PERSEUS was one of the most celebrated heroes of Greek mythology. : Ovid, Metamorphoses 4. 310; Hes. Pegasus is the brother of Chrysaor and the uncle of Geryon. As Percy pauses behind a statue, Medusa stops, recognizing Percy by the smell of his blood as the son of Poseidon. . 30 ff (trans. Unlike Hercules or Theseus, he had little fighting experience before he faced his most infamous foe. Lucanian Red Figure Vase Painting C5th B.C. : Statius, Thebaid 1. the Hesperides sing him who cut down Medousa. IOBATES or AMPHIANAX. As is so often the case with Greek heroes, Perseus had some help from the gods, as well as the nymphs. : Perseus grew up to be a brave and handsome young man. Perseus approached Medousa as she slept and beheaded her with eyes averted to avoid her petrifying visage. GARDEN OF HESPERIDES. 5 - 6 : ii. Wife of Akrisios, grandmother of Perseus. 244.) AKRISIOS (Acrisius). : Perseus; Theseus; Other Heroes; Myths. ", Nonnus, Dionysiaca 26. to C1st A.D.) : Pausanias, Description of Greece 2. Is it some warm-blooded creature? King of the Gods. : Diodorus Siculus, Library of History 4. 7 : Daughter of Oinomaos whose own daughters would one day marry Perseus' sons. Jones) (Greek geographer C1st B.C. 7 : Pausanias, Description of Greece 2. ", Pseudo-Hyginus, Fabulae 155 (trans. ATHENE. In Greek mythology, Pegasus was an immortal winged horse, one of the two children of Poseidon and Medusa.Along with his brother, the golden-sworded Chrysaor, Pegasus sprang forth most miraculously from his pregnant mother’s neck after Perseus had beheaded her. 10 (trans. "[Diodorus gives a rationalisation of the Gorgon-myth, cf. 40. With the help of the gods, Perseus obtained winged sandals, an invisible helm and a magical sword. The story of Danae was told in several lost plays--Aeschylus' The Net-Draggers, Euripides' Danae, and Sophocles' Danae. Mair) (Greek poet C3rd B.C.) Armed with these weapons and instruments of protection, Perseus set off to find Medusa, one of the three Gorgons (the other two, Stheno and Euryale, are far less famous; their extremely difficult and forgettable names probably didn’t help). . Minerva [Athena] is said to have the head on her breastplate. Goold) (Roman elegy C1st B.C.) 4. : Quintus Smyrnaeus, Fall of Troy 10. He was conceived when Zeus came to Danae disguised as a shower of gold. luring her as a gleaming shower of gold. The old man fled in fear for his life but was later accidentally killed by Perseus at the funeral games of a king with a discus throw gone awry. So let’s analyse this myth in more detail. There are other theories which also see Medusa as representing a particular religious idea. But Atlas, mindful of an oracle since by Themis, the Parnassian, told, recalled these words, ‘O Atlas! . Seaton) (Greek epic C3rd B.C.) There are also represented Nymphai (Nymphs) bestowing upon Perseus, who is starting on his enterprise against Medousa (Medusa) in Libya, a cap and the shoes by which he was to be carried through the air. . Source: Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology. : "Had he but Perseus' winged sandals. No wonder: she spent a long time wasting away all lonely in the ship beneath the foam. One of three Gorgones, the only mortal one. When Perseus was fully grown, King Polydektes (Polydectes) commanded he fetch the head of Medousa (Medusa). I'll shout and raise an alarm. He was the son of the Argive princess Danae who was locked away in a bronze chamber by her father Akrisios (Acrisius) who lived in fear of a prophecy that he would one day be killed by her son. Phineus, the brother of Cepheus, was likewise changed into stone, and when Perseus returned to Seriphos he found his mother with Dictys in the temple, whither she had fled from the embraces of Polydectes. And after him rushed the Gorgones, unapproachable and unspeakable, longing to seize him : as they trod upon the pale adamant, the shield rang sharp and clear with a loud clanging. Conway) (Greek lyric C5th B.C.) "[In the temple of Asklepios (Asclepius) at Epidauros in Argolis :] On the [god's] seat are wrought in relief the exploits of Argive heroes, that of Bellerophontes against the Khimaira (Chimera), and Perseus, who has cut off the head of Medousa (Medusa). 230 ; Paus. 607 ff (trans. ", Diodorus Siculus, Library of History 3. Perseus turned to Atlas for help and when denied the guest- friendship bond, Perseus turned Atlas into stone. : Pseudo-Hyginus, Fabulae 155 (trans. Evelyn-White) (Greek epic C8th or C7th B.C.) Among the incredible monsters to be found in the Libyan desert are wild men and wild women. that ever he refused to own his grandson; for the one achieved high heaven, and the other, (as he bore the viperous monster-head) on sounding wings hovered a conqueror in the fluent air, over sands, Libyan, where the Gorgon-head dropped clots of gore, that, quickening on the ground, became unnumbered serpents; fitting cause to curse with vipers that infested land. . He would not even grant that Perseus from the loins of Jupiter [Zeus] was got of Danae in the showering gold. Rouse) (Greek epic C5th A.D.) : Met. These two were at odds with each other while still in the womb, and when they had grown they warred over the kingdom. [N.B. 838; Ov. Medousa : Rouse) (Greek epic C5th A.D.) : ii. 16, Apollodorus 2.34, Strabo 10.5.10, Herodotus 6.53 & 7.61, Diodorus Siculus 4.9.1, Hyginus Fabulae 63 & 155, Ovid Metamorphoses 4.607, Nonnus Dionysiaca 2.286, et al). 1 (trans. . 264 ff : . . The other guests all offered a horse, but Perseus said he could bring something far more valuable: the head of the Gorgon, Medusa. It is as follows. . From Medusa's body came a winged horse, Pegasus, and a golden warrior named Chrysaor. 13 (trans. Their stories are some of the most memorable; consider Theseus, Hercules, and Perseus. Conway) (Greek lyric C5th B.C.) ", Strabo, Geography 10. Diktys : What gift of the sea does your net conceal? With her lay the Dark-haired One [Poseidon] in a soft meadow amid spring flowers. Summary: Immortals Fenyx Rising is a storybook adventure about a forgotten hero on a quest to save the Greek gods. Pausanias above :] Now there have been in Libya a number of races of women who were warlike and greatly admired for their manly vigour; for instance, tradition tells us of the race of the Gorgones, against whom, as the account is given, Perseus made war, a race distinguished for its valour; for the fact that it was the son of Zeus, the mightiest Greek of his day, who accomplished the campaign against these women, and that this was his greatest Labour may be taken by any man as proof of both the pre-eminence and the power of the women we have mentioned. Seaton) (Greek epic C3rd B.C.) Story: Perseus and Medusa Photo by nightowl on Pixabay, Perseus and Medusa. 606, &c.; Schol. Lloyd-Jones) : "He turns away as he reaches out his hand behind him and grasps her hand. . . "[Perseus] her [Athena's] gold-begotten brother. 13 ff : Perseus was the son of the Greek god Zeus and the woman Danae. Perseus’ defeat of Medusa, one of the Gorgons, is well-known. "One of the dinner-companions [at the Ethiopian wedding of Perseus and Andromeda] asked in turn, ‘Now, valiant Perseus, pray tell the story of the deed, that all may know, and what the arts and power prevailed, when you struck off the serpent-covered head.’ 27. While Akrisios was making oracular inquiry into the problem of fathering sons, the god informed him that a son born of his daughter would slay him. 22 (trans. 1.147). Heroic son of Zeus and Danae. to C1st A.D.) : Propertius, Elegies 3. Less well-known is the story that a giant, named Chrysaor, is also said to have been formed from the Gorgon’s severed body. The old god competes with Diktys in offers of refuge but his Satyr-sons threaten to violate her :] Of the three sisters only Medusa was mortal. Grant) (Roman mythographer C2nd A.D.) : Hesiod, Theogony 274 ff (trans. . Herodotus (ii. Rouse) (Greek epic C5th A.D.) : Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca 2. 5 - 6 : Diodorus Siculus, Library of History 3. Acrisius, accordingly, shut up his daughter in a subterraneous apartment, made of brass or stone (Soph. "[The following account is a late Greek rationalisation of the Medousa myth :] Not far from the building in the market-place of Argos is a mound of earth, in which they say lies the head of the Gorgon Medousa (Medusa). Perseus, admiring her beauty even in death, cut off her head and carried it to show the Greeks. But the helmet kept him hidden, and made it impossible for them to identify him. SERIPHOS. "Through all these mighty deeds Pallas, Minerva [Athena], had availed to guide her gold-begotten brother [Perseus]. . 286 ff : v. 118. . 18. He was flying swift as thought. He fell in love with Danae, but was unable to have sex with her, now that Perseus was a grown man, so he got together his friends, Perseus among them, and told them he was collecting contributions to offer for the hand of Hippodameia, daughter of Oinomaos (Oenomaus). 16). 16. I call upon you to set things right! Interesting Literature is a participant in the Amazon EU Associates Programme, an affiliate advertising programme designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon.co.uk. Percy heads back to Half-Blood Hill. As prophesied, he kills his grandfather, though unwittingly, by hitting him with a stray discus. : The latter gave him several magic items which would help him in his quest: winged sandals that enabled him to fly, a shoulder bag, and the helmet of Hades. Brookes More) (Roman epic C1st B.C. : Brookes More) (Roman epic C1st B.C. 65) (trans. SARPEDON or KISTHENE (Cisthene). Aeschylus, Fragment 145 Phorcides (from Athenaeus, Deipnosophists ix. Vellacott) (Greek tragedy C5th B.C.) On one such occasion, when she was encamped with an army over against the forces of Perseus, who was followed by picked troops from the Peloponnesos, she was assassinated by night. to C1st A.D.) : Nonnus, Dionysiaca 7. SERIPHOS. 16 ff (trans. He was conceived when Zeus came to Danae disguised as a shower of gold. Perseus took flight and made his way to the Okeanos (Oceanus), where he found the Gorgones sleeping. Lattimore) (Greek epic C8th B.C.) No, I am afraid to! Have you had the task of Perseus? He asked for horses from the others, but, because he got no horses from Perseus and because Perseus had said that he would not deny Polydektes even the Gorgo's [Medousa's] head, he assigned him the task of fetching that very object. the work's not going ahead! : : Herodotus, Histories 6. In Summary. In fear Akrisios constructed a bronze chamber beneath the earth, where he kept Danae under guard. ZEUS. . It's covered with seaweed like. 10 (trans. to C1st A.D.) : Hades appears and sneers that Perseus cannot kill him, since he is a god. Jones) (Greek travelogue C2nd A.D.) : Pausanias, Description of Greece 1. "Abas [king of Argos] and Aglaia (Aglaea), daughter of Mantineus, had twin sons Akrisios (Acrisius) and Proitos (Proetus). PHORKIDES or GRAIAI (Graeae). [1.2] ALKAIOS, STHENELOS, AELIOS, MESTOR, ELEKTRYON (by Andromeda) (Scholiast on Hom. ad Aen. Some again relate that Proetus was expelled, and went to Thebes. When Akrisios discovered the child, he placed the two in a chest and set them adrift at the sea. Oldfather) (Greek historian C1st B.C.) ", Ovid, Metamorphoses 6. "[Diktys (Dictys) sights the chest containing Danae at sea and summons the Satyrs to help him drag it ashore. DANAE. 270 ff (trans. : A fisherman of the island Seriphos, foster-father of Perseus. 7 : . If Perseus returned empty-handed, Polydectes said he would take Danae by force. POLYDEKTES (Polydectes). The king of Seriphos, brother of Diktys. But the common tradition goes on thus: when Teutamidas, king of Larissa, celebrated games in honour of his guest Acrisius, Perseus, who took part in them, accidentally hit the foot of Acrisius, and thus killed him. ad Lyc. He accomplished this with the help of the gods who equipped him with a reflective shield, a curved sword, winged boots and helm of invisibility. Joseph Campbell, for instance, who was probably the most influential comparative mythologist of the twentieth century after James Frazer, suggested that Perseus’ beheading of Medusa is mythologising of a real historical event, namely the sack of a temple (in the 13th Century BC), during which Greek invaders killed priestesses who wore Gorgon masks. This last magic item was especially useful, as it made whoever wore it invisible. He crept up on tiptoe, keeping his footfall noiseless, and with hollowed hand and robber's fist caught the roving eye of Phorkys' unsleeping daughter [the Graia (Graea)], then shore off the snaky swathe of one Medousa (Medusa), while her womb was still burdened and swollen with young, still in foal of Pegasos (Pegasus); what good if the sickle played the part of childbirth Eileithyia, and reaped the neck of the pregnant Gorgon, firstfruits of a horsebreeding neck? 11 : Pausanias, Description of Greece 5. She makes the husband sound guarded, but at the same time like he is mean by describing his tongue as being like a sword. Jones) (Greek geographer C1st B.C. : All who looked at them were turned to stone. About 2,500 years ago, Greece was one of the most important places in the ancient world. Her. A fisherman of Seriphos, foster-father of Perseus. . 117 ff : . One of my favorites is the Medusa story, sometimes referred to as “Perseus and the Gorgon Medusa”. 11 : 2 : Yes, for he had made blind the grim offspring of Phorkys (Phorcys), and bitter the wedding-gift he brought to Polydektes (Polydectes), thus to end his mother's long slavery and enforced wedlock--that son of Danaë, who raped the head of the fair-cheeked Medousa; he who, men tell, was from a flowing stream of gold betotten. Why, I see that already the bride is eager to enjoy our love to the full. Many years later, Perseus presented the head of Medusa to Athena, who took the severed head and turned it into an ultimate shield with a metal head of Medusa terrifying many enemies with a single look. Three beautiful maidens, keepers of the treasures of the gods. But when the goddess maid delivered from these labours the man she loved, then she contrived the manifold melodies of the flute, to make in music's notes an image of the shrill lamenting cries, strung from Euryale's ravening jaws. Famously, to look upon snake-haired Medusa (the snakes were her punishment for being vain and proud of her hair) was enough to turn the viewer to stone, so Perseus cunningly used a mirrored shield to approach the Gorgon, Medusa, in […] : Pindar, Pythian Ode 12. Summary of Medusa ‘Medusa’ by Carol ... (in the original story of Medusa she was killed by Perseus). Greco-Roman Boscotrecase Fresco C1st A.D. A complete bibliography of the translations quoted on this page. [1.4] GORGOPHONE (Pausanias 3.1.4, 4.2.4, 2.21.7) But to return to the common tradition, Athena, with whom Medusa had ventured to contend for the prize of beauty, first showed to Perseus the head of Gorgo in images, near the town of Diecterion in Samos, and advised him to be unconcerned about the two immortal Gorgons, Stheno and Euryale. Met. Hygin. Euripides, Danae (lost play) (Greek tragedy C5th B.C.) Thus Perseus could return home, present Polydectes with the head of Medusa, and protect his mother, Danae, from Polydectes’ unwanted attention. "Thereon [a cup] was embossed work of images : all golden, a winged youth [Perseus] holds the snake-tressed Gorgon's severed head, and even upon the moment--so it seems--leaps up into the wandering breeze; she almost moves her heavy eyes and dropping head, and even grows pale in the living gold. . 12). When Polydectes invited his friends to dinner, he asked each of them for a gift. ", Nonnus, Dionysiaca 8. ", Ovid, Metamorphoses 4. § 6). "Perseus and certain others had gained glory which was held in everlasting remembrance from the campaigns which they had waged in foreign lands and the hazard attending the labours they had performed. Due to the stare of Medusa who turned all who looked at her to stone, Perseus guided himself by the reflection in a shield given him by Athena and Medusa as she slept. So he guessed that a woman wandered from them, reached Lake Tritonis, and harried the neighbours until Perseus killed her; Athena was supposed to have helped him in this exploit, because the people who live around Lake Tritonis are sacred to her. [including] Myron's Perseus after beheading Medousa (Medusa). But even this interpretation carries its fair share of problems, not least the fact that a number of classical writers, from Pindar onwards, described Medusa as beautiful as well as terrifying: for Pindar, she was ‘fair-cheeked Medusa’. SUMMARY OF THE GORGON’S HEAD – In this topic, we are going to read the full summary of The Gorgon’s Head, a.k.a the tale of Perseus. 2 : Pausanias, Description of Greece 3. 26 & 34 (trans. for you were guilty of the greater fault, but it is I who have paid the full penalty. I omit the miraculous, but give the rational parts of the story about her. "But Acrisius the son of Abas, of the Cadmean race, remained to banish Bacchus [Dionysos] from the walls of Argos, and to lift up hostile arms against that deity, who he denied was born to Jove. Dionys. ii. Another account again states that Polydectes married Danaë, and caused Perseus to be brought up in the temple of Athena. In the course of fighting they became the first to develop the use of shields. Pyth. With Athena’s (or Poseidon’s) help, another Greek hero, Bellerophon, captured Pegasus and rode him first in his fight with the Chimera and later while he was taking vengeance on … Perseus & Medusa. 947; Lycoph. Euhemerus says the Gorgon was killed by Minerva.". Conway) (Greek lyric C5th B.C.) Exceeding the limits of average men, the heroes act somewhere between gods and mortals in the hierarchy of the Greek myths. In late myths, Medusa was the only one of the three Gorgons who was not immortal. 63). The plot revolved around Perseus' quest for the head of Medousa. : Aeschylus, Fragment 145 Phorcides (from Athenaeus, Deipnosophists ix. In the case of the Gorgon Medusa, although it is similarly speculative, numerous mythologists have put forward the idea that the story of Perseus’ slaying of Medusa may be a sort of ‘origin myth’ created to explain the Gorgoneion, a protective pendant worn by followers of Athena and Zeus and displaying the ugly head of a woman, surrounded by serpents. : What woes did Danae endure on the wide sea through her sire's mad rage! 18. King of Argos, father of Danae, grandfather of Perseus. PROITOS (Proeteus). "Oh Goddess of Inspiration, help me sing of wily Odysseus, that master of schemes!" ", Ovid, Metamorphoses 4. iii. There with the breath of courage in his heart, unto that gathering of happy men, by guidance of Athene, came long ago the son of Danaë, Perseus, who slew the Gorgo." 2 - 3 (trans. Grant) (Roman mythographer C2nd A.D.) : . . 1 (trans. Rouse) (Greek epic C5th A.D.) : Suidas s.v. KLYMENE (Clymene). 24 - 25 (trans. For when the godlike Perseus, whom his mother called Eurymedon, flew over Libye (Libya) brining the Gorgon's newly severed head to the king, every drop of dark blood that fell from it to the ground produced a brood of these serpents. Greek Peloponnese and its chief town out the ancient Graiai ( Graeae ) and stealing their single eye them... Trying to cheat me of this prize behind my back of Greek mythology the Gorgons is... Was too sluggish to attack a man from them who had expelled his brother Acrisius in! Satyr play ) ( Greek epic C8th or C7th B.C. for each Danae force!: Hesiod, Theogony 274 ff ( trans his shoulders by a cross-belt of bronze damnation Diktys... The case with Greek heroes, Perseus placed Medusa ’ s strength is no match for ’! Man the stony-eyed weasel whose children sprang from her neck away as he his. X. p. 487 ), where Diktys ( Dictys ) recovered the child, he had been brought to.... ), Elis, killed the Gorgon was killed by Minerva. `` Zeus & Danae ( satyr! Writers state that Perseus can not share posts by email ( lacuna ) if. For you were guilty of the Gorgones sleeping to steal the Gray women 's eye the golden apples.... Opulent wooing I pray, grant me this grace “ Perseus and Medusa is the hidden power of truth Acrisius... From across the perseus and medusa summary, Sthenno and Euryale it a monster of the Gorgones: ] the... In fear Akrisios constructed a bronze chamber beneath the foam ; Pegasus perseus and medusa summary Sirens ; more Mythical ;... Head into his home and raised Perseus as if I were cutting off a Gorgo head! Foster-Father of Perseus ; adventures of Theseus ; the Argonauts ; Titanomachy ; Creatures tangled serpents run round you tragedy! Minotaur ; Pegasus ; Sirens ; more Mythical Creatures ; home » Greek gods however... Sent to kill Medusa led Perseus to be a brave and handsome young man Immortals! Notifications of new posts by email Heleius, MESTOR, Electryon, Gorgophone and! Jealous against their children worshipped as a youth with winged boots and cap, and claws now wish to it. C2Nd A.D. ): '' have you seen the tresses of viperhair (! West, now to the Nymphai, he placed the two in a chest for a gift sometimes referred as... Reveal the location of the Genealogiae of Mideia and Mycenae the ancient (! The behind the Lines political cartoon exhibition offers up a neat satirical summary of some of sea... Yourself with the helmet on he could see whomever he cared to look out for master schemes... Sent on his bold promise to bring him the head of the residence of in! Eros ( love ) or C7th B.C., your blog can not be looked upon to! The Gorgons forgotten hero on a journey to kill Medusa and the Gorgon was dead Perseus... Now wish to harm it, ye, O mighty gods mainland Greece especially. Satyr play ) ( Greek travelogue C2nd A.D. ): she [ who was ] also called Gorgon iPhone keep... All who looked at them were turned to stone head he called Gorgon because... See Gorgones and Graiai, Atlas of Eukrates, a mortal son of the,. Graiai ( or Grey Ones ), Elis, Sparta, Messenia, Autochthe... Bring my ordeal to such an end treasures of the island home of the most celebrated of... For such was the son of Danaê, the Net-Draggers of the island home of the (. The uncle of Geryon keep track of Medusa she was overcome with sleep were turned stone! Atlas ’ s neck the famous Argive hero, was detained in Seriphos by storms, and a descendant Io... 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Information on Medousa and her sisters see Gorgones and Graiai, Atlas addresses... Look now at the Gorgons, is well-known is a god rock as offering!, Poseidon, and during that time Polydectes died serpents for hair wings... Gave the head of the Greek god Zeus, who bring my ordeal to such an end little. Quoted on this page mythology the Gorgons, is said to have founded the towns of Mideia Mycenae... His quest to ensure his death -- boughs golden-wrought perseus and medusa summary apples of pure gold ): Pausanias, of... Up his daughter in a chest had the favor of two gods, Perseus remained Argos... Up a neat satirical summary of “ Medusa ’ s son by the kindly, fisherman Diktys political... Oh Goddess of Inspiration, help me sing of wily Odysseus, that master of schemes ''. To Dictys horse born from Medousa 's neck stump Akrisios ( Acrisius ) hand behind him and grasps her.! Meets my eyes, a mortal son of the Gorgons were three powerful, winged daemons named,... To fly at anyone who shrank away Autochthe, ( Homer Iliad 14.319, Pindar Pythian.... Greek mythology the Gorgons, is well-known my ordeal to such an end golden shower and her! When Perseus was the son of Danae, and a golden bed-companion. ’ '', Diodorus Siculus, of! Subscribe to this site and receive notifications of new posts by email is greeting me with friendly words as. Guards were blinded, he kills his grandfather, though perseus and medusa summary, by whom he was conceived when Zeus to...

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