The strange protective origins of Medusa
By: Yone sweet, Year 11
What do you think of when you hear Medusa’s name? The first that comes to our mind is that a monster whose skin is like that of a lizard, a head full of venomous snakes and a gaze that can turn you into stones. That is enough reason for us to think that Medusa as an embodiment of bad luck or a curse, but what if thats the opposite?
In late June, archaeologists in Western Spain uncovered an Ancient Roman mosaic floor that depicts Medusa with tiny wings and flowing locks of hair, and was thought to have been used as a protective symbol.The mosaic was found in the city of Mérida’s Huerta de Otero archaeological site where ancient Romans established a colony there in 25 BCE named Augusta Emerita. Isn’t it questionable that a symbol often used to embody a bad lucked curse is ring used to symbolize protection? To understand that we must learn about medusas origins.
In early mythology, Medusa had two main stories. One was the Greek version; the other was Roman. Medusa was said to have been born from the primordial gods Keto and Phorkys alongside her two sisters who are gorgons named Stheno and Euryale while Medusa is was a mortal human. Many men luster for her as she was known for her beauty, but she rejected all the men as a way of respecting Athena, the virgin war goddess who she soon became her most devoted priestess to. Many men come to Athena’s temple just to have a glance of Medusa’s beauty and even claim that Medusas hair is better than that of Athena which turns into jealousy. One day, Medusa’s was walking the shore caught the attention of Poseidon who fall for Medusa’s beauty. After with countless of tries and errors Poseidon finally managed to seduce Medusa’s in which they had an affair in Athena’s temple. This act enraged Athena and cursed Medusa to the figure she is. However, this was only one version.
The other versions are that Poseidon try to seduce Medusa and she rejected him countless of time as a devotional act to Athena. So, Poseidon forced her in Athena’s temple is the place where she ran to Athena for protection. Athena then transformed her into the gorgon we know her as today, gifting her the ability to turn any unwanted glances to stone as a symbol of protection.
Medusa would finally be killed and beheaded by Perseus. Upon her severed neck came a Pegasus which is known for it’s purity as she was pregnant with Poseidon child. Medusa head was taken as the amulet to ward of evil and for protection. In all the myths, Medusa’s story is one of the most misunderstood. So, the question today is “is Medusa a monster or a victim?”
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