The Gorgons

Who were the Gorgons?

The Gorgons were three daughters of the sea god Phorcys. They were Stheno, Euryale and the most famous Medusa.

Stheno and Euryale were hideous deformed creatures. They had large brass claws, poisonous tongues and saliva and large wings and dragon like bodies.

Medusa was born beautiful. She was a priestess in the temple of Athene. She brought the wrath of the goddess down on her when she had an affair with Poseidon in Athene’s temple. Athene was so offended and angered by the defilement of her temple that she punished Medusa.

Medusa was transformed from a great beauty to something horrible. Her body became snake like and covered in scales. She grew long fangs and her hair became serpents. These serpents were almost as deadly has her look.

No man could look upon the gorgon for to do so would bring about their end. They would be forever turned into a stone statue.

She was finally killed by Perseus. He located the gorgon’s island and while they slept he, with the aid of the gods, found Medusa. She was the only one of the sisters that was mortal. While she slept Perseus cut off her head and put it in a sack.

The fate of the other two sisters is unclear.

Gorgons - courtesy of Wikimedia Commons