Why did Zeus turn Medusa?

She was lovely, according to the poem—until she was raped in Athena

Athena

Athena or Athene, often given the epithet Pallas, is an ancient Greek goddess associated with wisdom, warfare, and handicraft who was later syncretized with the Roman goddess Minerva.

https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Athena

Athena - Wikipedia

's temple by Poseidon. Athena then punished her for this violation, by turning her into the monstrous, stony-glanced creature that we know. Yes: punished for being raped.

Was Medusa sexually assaulted by Zeus?

Medusa was originally a very beautiful young girl, especially renowned for the beauty of her hair. Her tragedy began with her rape in the temple of Athena. Accounts of who raped her vary, some saying it was Zeus, others Poseidon, god of the seas and Zeus's brother.

What did Zeus do to Medusa?

Such a sacrilege attracted the goddess' wrath, and she punished Medusa by turning her hair to snakes.

Why did the gods want Medusa dead?

When Medusa had an affair with the sea god Poseidon, Athena punished her. She turned Medusa into a hideous hag, making her hair into writhing snakes and her skin was turned a greenish hue. Anyone who locked gaze with Medusa was turned into stone. The hero Perseus was sent on a quest to kill Medusa.

Why was Medusa cursed and not Poseidon?

Medusa and Poseidon engaged in a love affair and would have two children together, but not before Athena discovered the illicit affair. When Athena discovered the affair, she was enraged and immediately cursed Medusa by taking away her beauty.

The Punishment of Medusa: The Story of The Cursed Priestess - Mythological Comics - Greek Mythology

Was Medusa pregnant by Poseidon?

So, when Poseidon raped Medusa she became pregnant. When her head was chopped off by Perseus, her children came to be. Pegasus and Chrysaor sprung from the severed neck of Medusa. Pegasus is also one of the most famous characters in Greek mythology, the winged white horse.

Did Medusa sleep with Poseidon willingly?

In the origin as a Greek myth, Medusa is yet another simple monster, and was not raped by Poseidon, but willingly had an affair, and her becoming a gorgon was punishment for choosing to do this, defiling the Athenian temple by having sex in a blessed place, and defying her chastity vows.

What sin did Medusa commit?

She was lovely, according to the poem—until she was raped in Athena's temple by Poseidon. Athena then punished her for this violation, by turning her into the monstrous, stony-glanced creature that we know.

Did Athena feel bad for Medusa?

As is common with Greek gods, Athena directed her anger towards poor mortal Medusa who was not responsible for these events and was the true victim. According to Apollodorus' version of the myth, Athena was angry with Medusa because she had claimed to be more beautiful than the goddess.

Which god hated Medusa?

5. Athena Hated Her. If you thought that Athena was done with Medusa after turning her into a Gorgon, you are mistaken. Though she was the goddess of wisdom, Athena was a rare example of cold-bloodiness and cruelty even for a Greek God.

What does Medusa tattoo symbolize?

Today, survivors of sexual assault use tattoos of Medusa to fight back against the narrative that victims should be shamed, blamed or punished for their assault. Medusa and her story have been reclaimed as a symbol of strength and power, with her image also being used as a mark of protection against evils.

Did Medusa love Poseidon?

One of the most popular monsters of Greek Mythology is Medusa. She was a beautiful maiden with golden hair. She vowed to be celibate her entire life as a priestess of Athena until she fell in love with Poseidon. She went against her vow and married him.

What is the true story of Medusa?

The short answer is no, medusa was not real. For someone who has been depicted as a monster with poisonous snakes for hair, having the ability to turn men into stone, it may seem evident that Medusa was not a real historical figure.

Did Athena get jealous of Medusa?

In fact, Athena was jealous of Medusa's beauty and lustrous hair. Poseidon ravaged her and took what she held dearly, her purity. Athena, outraged by this incident, cursed Medusa and turned her wonderful hair into venomous snakes, her beautiful face turned so ugly that any man who gazed upon would turn to stone.

Is Medusa a victim or villain?

Medusa was raped by Poseidon, but instead of being defended by her patron goddess, Athena, she was punished for being raped. This makes Medusa a victim.

Who killed Medusa and why?

Medusa had live, hissing snakes for hair, and anyone who looked at her face instantly turned to stone. Here, Perseus has the tools that the gods gave him to defeat her, including a cap of invisibility, sandals from the god Mercury, and a hooked weapon from the god Vulcan that he used to cut off Medusa's head.

Who was Medusa prettier than?

Medusa even boasted that she was prettier than Athena, goddess of wisdom, who watched over Athens. Athena decided to punish Medusa for her pride.

Was Medusa more beautiful than Athena?

Known for her beauty, particularly her flowing hair, Medusa once served in the temple of the goddess Athena. Unfortunately, Medusa cared only about her own beauty. She was boastful and proud, even claiming she was more beautiful than Athena.

Who did Aphrodite curse?

Aphrodite was furious with Eos because Ares had fallen in love with her. She cursed her to live the rest of her life in a futile quest of true love. She had multiple lovers and gave birth to many children but never managed to find the ideal partner who would live up to her expectations.

What was Medusa's real name?

In 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.

Who killed Poseidon?

Poseidon then made a desperate attempt to escape and survive, but is unable to reach the edge and is grabbed by Kratos, who then proceeds to crush his eyes and finally break his neck, killing the sea god once and for all.

Did Medusa get pregnant?

Medusa's Children · The Lament of the Gorgons

For Medusa was pregnant at the time of her death, and when Perseus severed her head, her two unborn children, Chrysaor and Pegasus, suddenly sprang from her neck.

How did Poseidon impregnate Medusa?

Fact #1: Poseidon had Children with Medusa

Medusa was once a beautiful woman. Medusa was a maiden who served Athena in her temple. As Medusa was in Athena's temple, Poseidon raped her and impregnated her with two children.

What is the moral of the story of Medusa?

The Moral of Medusa

She does nothing wrong, and she is punished by the gods anyways. This myth is actually a warning to mortals. Don't believe yourself to be equal to the gods.

Who did Poseidon sleep with?

Poseidon also had an affair with Alope, his granddaughter through Cercyon, his son and King of Eleusis, begetting the Attic hero Hippothoon.