- Definition of Gorgon:
- (Gr. Myth) One of three fabled sisters, Stheno, Euryale, and Medusa, with snaky hair and of terrific aspect, the sight of whom turned the beholder to stone. The name is particularly given to Medusa.
- Anything very ugly or horrid.
- Stheno (Might)
- Euryale (Wide Flowing Sea)
- Medusa (Queen) 7
There are three hypotheses as to how the three sisters were changed into Gorgons:
- Medusa claimed she was more beautiful than Athena
- Medusa claimed to have more beautiful hair than Athena
- Medusa and Poseidon laid together in Athena's temple (Poseidon either raped her or she lay with him willingly)
Of these, the last reason seems to be the most popular. The story goes that Medusa and her sisters were extremely beautiful and worked as priestesses in Athena's temple. After Poseidon and Medusa laid together, Athena became enraged and turned the sisters into monsters. Although some claim Medusa's face was changed to represent the hideous Gorgonieon mask as well, others say Athena allowed her face to remain unchanged. Because of this, Medusa was still able to use her beauty to seduce men and then turn them to stone. Bibliography 1, 13
The picture to the right also shows the likeness of Medusa with a beautiful human face, not with the hideous masks represented above. The beautification of Medusa occured in the 5th century. This may have been to bring Medusa towards the human side of her aspect, showing her vulnerability. Like her immortal sisters, she was still able to bring fear and death, but she was also vulnerable to the power of death herself. Bibliography 1
Perseus plays a role in the myth of Medusa that all Greeks may have fantasized about. He actually confronted and defeated death! The meaning of the four articles needed for this task were crucial to his success. First, the harpe, or scythe, needed to be large and sharp enough to kill in one slice to prevent awakening the victim and falling into her trap. Second the sandals of Hermes are needed to fly Perseus swiftly beyond the realm of this world to where the Gorgons dwell. These sandals are also a crucial item in Perseus' retreat. Thirdly, the cap of Hades is needed to enclose Perseus in darkness so the Gorgons will not be able to see him coming or leaving. The fourth item is a kibisis, or bag, needed to hold Medusa's head. This is essential to protect Perseus and others from the still potent eyes of Medusa. The fact that Perseus succeeds in his quest catapults him into being the conqueror of death, signifying that death has no hold over him. This is backed further by the wearing of the cap of Hades, lord over the dead. To wear this cap is to become like the dead, able to see the world but yet remain unseen. Bibliography 3
Medusa's death, brought about by Peseus may have been a story created to explain the Gorgonieon head on Athena's shield. Or it may have been a representation of a war between Perseus and Medusa from which Perseus emerged as victor. Since Medusa means queen, she may have been a leader of a race of women who ruled Libya (a far off and uncivilized place to the Greeks). Perseus may hve slipped into Medusa's camp or her palace while she was sleeping and killed her, thereby ending her tyrannical rule, making him a hero. Bibliography 16
The Gorgons and Gorgonieon mask have become entwined in history and have come to represent both fear and death. In fact, the Greeks believed that three different beings made up the different qualities of death.
The first and least frightful aspect of death was the male of the group, Thantos. He was equated with the taking of the heroes who died in battle. Therefore, he was not to be feared, rather someone to honor. The two female aspects of death were equated with fear. They represented the loss of control that men had when death called for them. Bibliography 3This belief was carried over to the image of the Gorgons and the way they were viewed in mythology.
The Gorgon's power over death is also seen in the wars of the Greeks. Many warriers radiated the power of the Gorgon's fierceness as they flew into battle. During the Trojan War, both Hector and Achilles took on different aspects of the Gorgons. Hector's face had the "look of the Gorgon" as he rushed into battle. His hair flew everywhere and his eyes were glazed with the look of death. He took on an animal quality and was a force to be feared by the Greeks. Achilles also used the powers of the Gorgons to his advantage by letting out three shrill cries before rushing into battle. These cries could be equated with the shrill, piercing cries issued by the Gorgons and their snakes as they pursue Perseus after killing Medusa. Bibliography 3
However, the image of Medusa was not invented by the Greeks and has not always represented the fear that it invokes now. It is believed that the Greeks borrowed Medusa from the Libyan's religion. There, she was a part of a trio of goddesses and represented wisdom. Snakes also once meant wisdom and were represented along with Medusa. Bibliography 12But, as the meaning that snakes represented changed, so too must have the Gorgons. They came to represent the wickedness of women, especially deception. Since the Gorgons represented all of men's fears of women, the Gorgons' held the power of death over them. In the gaze of a "pure" woman, the men were unable to break away, turning to stone.
Although the times have changed since Medusa first brought fear into the hearts of men, her image still lives on. The face of Medusa has changed over the years as well, but the meaning of her terrible gaze has not changed and she can still strike fear into the hearts of many. The explanation for her existence has not survived, but the image of Medusa still lives on. Perhaps Perseus was unsuccessful in conquering death when he slew her?!
for the Art History Honors Seminar: Images of Women in the Ancient World
taught by Chris Witcombe
at Sweet Briar College
