Full Answer
What is the true story of Medusa?
The Story of Medusa ~ Greek Mythology. Medusa is one of the most well known and talked about beings from ancient Greek mythology that we have ever heard of. Hunted by many warriors that wished to claim the prize of her head, many tried, and many have failed. It was said that men who gazed upon her eyes would turn to stone instantly.
Is Medusa a myth or legend?
The short mythical story of Medusa is one of the famous legends that feature in the mythology of ancient civilizations. Discover the myths about the ancient gods, goddesses, demigods and heroes and the terrifying monsters and creatures they encountered on their perilous journeys and quests. The amazing story of Medusa really is easy reading for kids and children who are learning about the history, myths and legends of the ancient Roman and Greek gods.
What are the top 10 Mythical Creatures?
Top 10 Mythical Creatures. The Top Ten. 1 Dragon A dragon is a legendary creature, typically with serpentine or reptilian traits, that features in the myths of many cultures. Really like dragons! I watch the Dragon Prince and read Wings of Fire, dragons are amazing. The knights who slay dragons are so cruel they only do that because they heard the story of a pretty girl being help captive in a castle.
Why does Medusa have snake hair?
There are multiple facts about Medusa which you may find intersting:
- Before Medusa had been cursed she had been a priestess. ...
- Even though Medusa was killed, her head still managed to stay alive and keep her powers. ...
- In current events, Versace, the fashion company's logo, is the head of Medusa.
- When Medusa was killed ,Pegasus and Chrysoar were said to have sprung from her head!
What creature is Medusa?
GorgonsMedusa, in Greek mythology, the most famous of the monster figures known as Gorgons. She was usually represented as a winged female creature having a head of hair consisting of snakes; unlike the Gorgons, she was sometimes represented as very beautiful.
What were other names for Medusa?
Medusabag.battle-ax.beldam.biddy.crone.fishwife.fury.gorgon.More items...
Is Hydra a polyp or Medusa?
Hydra are small polyps from 1 to 20 mm in body length. The body is crowned by up to 10 or 12 tentacles. Usually the tentacles are of approximately the same length as the body, but may be somewhat shorter, particularly in the green hydra, and can exceed 20 cm in length in hungry brown hydra in quiet water.
Why are jellyfish called Medusa?
3. A jellyfish is called a Medusa. Jellyfish often look like a bell with tentacles all around the edge or hanging off the bottom. The shape of this bell is called a medusa because it looks like the evil Medusa in Greek mythology.
Is Medusa a goddess or monster?
Legend states that Medusa was once a beautiful, avowed priestess of Athena who was cursed for breaking her vow of celibacy. She is not considered a goddess or Olympian, but some variations on her legend say she consorted with one. When Medusa had an affair with the sea god Poseidon, Athena punished her.
What is Medusa known for?
Medusa is best known for having hair made of snakes and for her ability to turn anyone she looked at to stone, literally to petrify.
Is a jellyfish a polyp or medusa?
Throughout their lifecycle, jellyfish take on two different body forms: medusa and polyps. Polyps can reproduce asexually by budding, while medusae spawn eggs and sperm to reproduce sexually. Learn more about the lifecycle and reproduction of jellyfish.
Is coral a polyp or medusa?
Classes. In the class Anthozoa, comprising the sea anemones and corals, the individual is always a polyp; in the class Hydrozoa, however, the individual may be either a polyp or a medusa, with most species undergoing a life cycle with both a polyp stage and a medusa stage.
What is polyp and medusa?
There are two basic cnidarian body shapes: a polyp form, which is attached to a surface; and an upside-down free-floating form called a medusa. Some cnidarians change form at different phases of their life cycle, while others remain in one form for their entire life.
Is medusa a sea creature?
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.
What medusa means?
guardian, protectressIn Greek mythology, Medusa (/mɪˈdjuːzə, -sə/; Ancient Greek: Μέδουσα "guardian, protectress"), also called Gorgo, was one of the three monstrous Gorgons, generally described as winged human females with living venomous snakes in place of hair. Those who gazed into her eyes would turn to stone.
What is the difference between medusa and jellyfish?
As nouns the difference between medusa and jellyfish is that medusa is (zoology) special form that cnidarians may turn into while jellyfish is (zoology) almost transparent aquatic being; any one of the acalephs, especially one of the larger species, having a jellylike appearance.
What is Medusa's family known for?
Family. Medusa’s family is known for their fierce features and impressive power. Her father, Phorcys, was known to be a primordial sea god who had a fish tail, crab-like forearms, and red, spiky skin. Her mother, Ceto, was also a primordial sea goddess.
Who beheaded Medusa?
While Medusa is known to be one of the most famous monsters in Greek mythology, there is relatively little that is recorded of her existence before she was beheaded by Perseus. Most of what we know of Medusa comes from her short time serving in Athena’s temple and the way in which her head was used after she was beheaded by Perseus. Though her life itself may not have been given much consideration in ancient records, the many things that came from her death would go on to impact ancient mythology in countless ways.
Why did Medusa pledge herself to Athena?
It was a great compliment for Medusa to pledge her loyalty to Athena because of her great beauty – especially since one of the requirements to be a temple priestess was to remain a virgin. However, Medusa would not serve as a priestess for long.
Why was Medusa transformed into a beast?
Eventually, Medusa was known to have been transformed into a beast that would be feared by all because she was considered responsible for the desecration of Athena’s temple. Because she had allowed herself to be defiled in Athena’s temple, Athena transformed her into the most hideous of all the Gorgons and made her features so terrible to behold that she could instantly turn a man into stone if he were to gaze at her directly.
Where was Medusa born?
Medusa was the daughter of Phorcys and Ceto (though some sources claim Gorgon is her father). She was born on an island named Sarpedon – which is thought to be somewhere in the general area of Cisthene – and was known to have been one of the Gorgon sisters.
What does Medusa do after being violated by Poseidon?
After being violated by Poseidon, Medusa is devastated. She doesn’t know what to do – she had planned on devoting the rest of her life to Athena. She appeals to her goddess and asks for help in moving forward.
What is Medusa's contribution to mythology?
Medusa in Death. Although Medusa’s story has some relevance and symbolism before her tragic end, she arguably has the most influence in her death. Through her passing, she gives the world important contributions to mythology and medicine while also providing the public with a new form of protection.
Why is Medusa so famous?
Medusa is one of the most famous characters of Greek mythology. This has been proven because she continues to be portrayed in pop culture. She is not only immortalized in stories but also in history. She is immediately recognizable, a classical figure and an exciting symbol of a monster.
Where did Medusa live?
Greek poet Hesiod wrote that Medusa lived close to the Hesperides in the Western Ocean near Sarpedon. Herodotus the historian said her home was Libya.
Why did Perseus return with his head?
In almost every version of the Medusa myth, King Polydectes of Seriphus sent Perseus to return with her head so that Polydectes could marry his mother.
What is the name of the nonvenomous snake?
Two species of snakes contain her name: the venomous pitviper Bothriopsis medusa and the nonvenomous snake called Atractus medusa.
What did Medusa do to Athena?
For this Athena punished her hideously. She turned Medusa into an ugly creature by making her eyes bloodshot and raging and her face haglike.
Why did Hercules give Medusa her hair?
A story says that Hercules acquired a lock of Medusa’s hair from Athena and gave it to the daughter of Cepheus, Sterope, to protect the town of Tegea from being attacked. Her hair held the same powers as her head so that when it was exposed it caused a storm which chased away the foes.
Where is Medusa on the statue of Alexander the Great?
She was made into marble and bronze sculptures. From c. 200 B.C.: In Pompeii’s House of the Faun, Medusa was on the breastplate of Alexander the Great in the Alexander Mosaic. The coat of arms of the Dohalice village from the Czech Republic depicts Medusa’s head. The flag and emblem of Sicily also features her head.
Who is Medusa in mythology?
Medusa was one of the three Gorgons, daughters of Phorcys and Ceto, sisters of the Graeae, Echidna, and Ladon – all dreadful and fearsome beasts. A beautiful mortal, Medusa was the exception in the family, until she incurred the wrath of Athena, either due to her boastfulness or because of an ill-fated love affair ...
Who is Medusa in the Gorgon family?
Medusa was one of the three Gorgons, daughters of Phorcys and Ceto, sisters of the Graeae, Echidna, and Ladon – all dreadful and fearsome beasts. A beautiful mortal, Medusa was the exception in the family, until she incurred the wrath of Athena, either due to her boastfulness or because of an ill-fated love affair with Poseidon.
Why did Perseus give Medusa his head?
After this, Perseus gave Medusa ’s head to his benefactor Athena, as a votive gift.
What happened to Medusa's head?
However, while flying over Libya, drops of Medusa ’s blood fell to the ground and instantly turned into snakes; it is because of this that, to this day, Libya abounds with serpents.
What did Athena give Medusa?
The rest of Medusa ’s blood – a vial containing two drops – Athena gave to her adopted son, Erichthonius; Euripides says that one of the drops was a cure-all, and the other one a deadly poison. Always the protector of heroes, Athena put aside, in a bronze jar, a lock of Medusa ’s hair for Heracles, who subsequently gave it to Cepheus ’ daughter, ...
Where did Perseus find Medusa?
With the help of Athena and Hermes, and after compelling the Graeae for Medusa ’s whereabouts, Perseus finally reached the fabled land of the Gorgons, located either in the far west, beyond the outer Ocean, or in the midst of it, on the rocky island of Sarpedon. Medusa was asleep and Perseus, using the reflection in Athena ’s bronze shield as a guide (so as to not look directly at the Gorgons and be turned into stone), managed to cut off her head with his sickle.
What book is Medusa's genealogy?
For a poetic account, see the ending of the fourth book of Ovid’s “Metamorphoses.”. Naturally, Medusa ’s genealogy is described in full in Hesiod’s “Theogony.”. See Also: Perseus, Adventures of Perseus, Pegasus, Gorgons, Phorcys, Keto.
What is a medusa?
A medusa ( pl: medusae or: medusas) was a monstrous and hateful creature that was capable of petrifying any creature that met its gaze.
What is a rare variant of male medusa?
An extremely rare variant of male medusa was known as a maedar, which lacked the head serpents and the petrifying gaze of regular medusae, but possessed great physical strength and in some cases a poisonous weakening gaze.
How long does it take for a medusa to hatch?
In only 1% of the cases, a maedar was born. Medusae laid their eggs within one month of mating, and the eggs had an incubation period of eight months. Young medusa hatchlings resembled human baby girls with green stubby tendrils growing from their heads, which came alive as serpents once they reached two years of age.
How does blood of medusae work?
In order for it to work, the blood needed to be applied to the petrified creature's mouth or lips by a skilled healer. It could only reverse the condition if the victim had been petrified within 24 hours. Medusa blood could also be used to craft potions of human control and potions of mammal control. Older medusae were capable of brewing potions that could restore petrified creatures, which they traded amongst themselves and employed to restore petrified creatures by accident.
How do medusae reproduce?
Medusae could reproduce by mating amongst themselves and with other humanoids. If mating with a human, a female medusa produced a clutch of between two and six eggs that always hatched into female medusae. The fate of a human after mating with a medusa was usually death by petrification.
How did the Medusa attack?
If the victims managed to avert their eyes in time, the medusa followed up with powerful attacks from its head serpents, whose venom was potent enough to severely poison or even kill a creature. If none of those strategies succeeded, medusae were also competent with a number of weapons, such as knives, short swords shortbows, and longbows. Many medusae were considered skilled archers and some greater medusae were known to coat arrows with their poisonous saliva or blood.
What was the purpose of Medusa blood?
Medusa blood could also be used to craft potions of human control and potions of mammal control. Older medusae were capable of brewing potions that could restore petrified creatures, which they traded amongst themselves and employed to restore petrified creatures by accident.
How many species are there in Hydrozoa?
Hydrozoa is a large and diverse group which includes approximately 3,800 species that inhabit both salt and fresh water. While many hydrozoa have a similar life cycle to the true jellyfish, alternating between polyp and medusa forms, not all Hydrozoa have a medusa or jellyfish form, and may spend all their lives as bottom-dwelling polyps. Hydrozoan medusae are very small, and may range in size from half a centimeter to six centimeters in diameter. Their bodies are domed umbrellas to which their tentacles are attached, and most only have four tentacles.
Where do scyphozoa live?
Scyphozoa, or true jellyfish, are found in all the oceans of the world , both floating close to the surface and swimming in deep waters. Scyphozoa generally have two life stages. In the summer, they are seen floating in the ocean in their medusa form, which may range in size, depending on the species, from two centimeters to two meters across. In the winter, they become bottom-dwelling polyps, which produce new medusae in the spring. Medusae have tentacles which hang down from a central dome and contain nematocysts, the stinging cells that they use to stun their prey. The stings of some species of jellyfish are poisonous to humans.
