Perseus in
Myth
Perseus
Part Two – The Quest for Medusa’s Head
Medusa was
once a beautiful woman seduced by Poseidon (Neptune) in a Athenian temple.
Athena (Minerva), turns her into a Gorgon for this sacrilege. As she was once human she remained mortal, her two sister Gorgons
were immortal.
Athena,
goddess of war, crafts & skills was a daughter of Zeus, overhears Perseus & Polydectes; she decides to aid Perseus because she
remained angry with Medusa. Athena
provides a polished shield and information about where to go and what to do to complete the quest. Hermes (Mercury),
another son of Zeus, aids the travels
of Perseus and provides him a adamantine sword.
Athena
tells Perseus he requires items in the care of the Stygian Nymphs, - winged sandals, a magic wallet and a helmet that renders the
wearer invisible. Athena indicates
he must seek out the three Graiae to learn where the Nymphs live.
Perseus
steals the eye & tooth of the Graiae and learns the location of the
Nymphs. They provide the
weapons in their care for the quest, belonging to Hades (Pluto), God of the underworld.
Perseus,
using the divine weapons, strikes off Medusa’s head. To his surprise the winged horse Pegasus and his brother, the
warrior Chrysaor, spring fully grown from
her dead body. Pegasus appears in several mythological accounts.