The beautiful Medusa’s looks were ruined by jealous Athene

Posted in Ancient History, Heroes and Heroines, Legend, Myth on Saturday, 21 December 2013

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This edited article about Greek mythology first appeared in Look and Learn issue number 500 published on 14 August 1971.

Perseus, picture, image, illustration

Perseus and the Medusa

Medusa was a beautiful maiden, famous for her hair, who loved Poseidon and, as a punishment, had her hair turned to serpents by Athene; her face was made so ugly that anyone who looked at her became stone. She was also given wings and brazen claws. She was the leader of the Gorgons, women who had suffered the same fate. A young hero named Perseus was sent to fetch Medusa’s head. Fortunately for him, the goddess Athene gave him a polished shield so he would only see Medusa’s reflection, and Hermes gave him a sickle and other aids, including winged sandals. He flew to the Gorgons’ lair and beheaded Medusa. From her body sprang the winged horse Pegasus and the warrior Chrysaor. Perseus escaped in an invisible helmet.

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