Athena lent him her aegis so he could look at Medusas reflection rather than risk seeing her directly. A slightly different version of the second origin is that Medusa was willingly seduced by Poseidon rather than raped. Webmythology and iconography. In his 9th-century treatise on divorce, Hincmar, archbishop of Reims, listed lamiae among the supernatural dangers that threatened marriages, and identified them with geniciales feminae,[74] female reproductive spirits. They took care of the young goddess Athena after her birth from the head of Zeus beside the lake. I felt the question about Medusa being a Goddess was closed in my mind, then I saw an altar for Medusa the other day and wanted to know if anyone else had another opinion. She resides in the Petrified Temple in the middle of a petrified forest on Lesbos. Medusa's popularity is somewhat Newer Than They Think. A gypsy curse associated with him has Lamia torment the victim for three days before having its minions drag them into Hell to burn in its fires for all eternity. Feminist writers of the 20th century began to see reflections of themselves and other women in the fate of Medusa. In the very earliest sources, she lived on an island in the Atlantic. "They say that after Athene's birth, she was reared by Triton [and presumably Tritonis], who had a daughter named Pallas. The Gorgons collectively could indicate that this unknown goddess was part of a triple goddess cult. 180.) [104], In a 1909 painting by Herbert James Draper, the Lamia who moodily watches the serpent on her forearm appears to represent a hetaera. This action will also remove this member from your connections and send a report to the site admin. [11], The Vulgate used "lamia" in Isaiah xxxiv:14 to translate "Lilith" of the Hebrew Bible. For this Athena punished her hideously. It alludes to Plutarch's use of the term in De curiositate, where the Greek writer suggests that the term Lamia is emblematic of meddlesome busybodies in society. The names are the clearest indication that the story has Greek origins. The other two sisters appear extremely rarely, but are sometimes included alongside Medusa when she's a singular character. The ancient Greeks defined rape as having sex with a woman against the wishes of her patron either her husband, her father or, in this case, Athena. [68][69][o] The idea that these creatures were lamiai seems to originate with Alex Scobie (1977),[71] and accepted by other commentators. Perseus beheaded Medusa while she slept, but her severed head retained its power to paralyze and turn viewers to stone. These, and other considerations have prompted modern commentators to suggest she is a dragoness.[76][77]. Whats the historical low-down? The one part about Reddit I love is the mix of opinions. : Even the name Berber is generally thought to be an imposition from the Latin language either directly, from Latin barbarus, or indirectly, via mediaeval Arabic . She transformed Medusa into a terrifying creature with snakes for hair and a face that literally turned those who gazed at her to stone. She went against her vow and married him. When a woman's child is well grown, the men assemble within three months and the child is adjudged to be that man's whom it is most like. Thats the Greek myth. While Medusa could be killed, her sisters could not. In others, they are not literal snakes but rather hair that supernaturally behaves as if it were made of living snakes. They're not intended to be submitted as your own work, so we don't waste time removing every error. [21][d] This was later incorporated into Edward Topsell's 17th-century envisioning of the lamia. Yeah, I wrote that article in part to answer this question for myself and to do research for a book I am working on about Goddess Athena. And, of course, as a son of Zeus Perseus was directly connected to the king of the gods. "The Libyans have a saying that the Goddess [Athena] is the daughter of Poseidon and Lake Tritonis, and for this reason has blue eyes like Poseidon. Poseidon, especially attracted to her voluptuous hair, assaulted her in the temple of Athena. The short answer is yes, she was invented by Greeks. Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses. Goddess Medusa. It was their hero Perseus who beheaded our Goddess Medusa. Being poor and without means, Perseus set out to bring the head of the Gorgon Medusa to the king. Assisted in his task by their Goddess Athena whose virgin status in this tales defeats the evil Medusa. It is also believed in these portrayals of Athena, They are not strictly speaking "witches", but they are referred to as such by convention. There are some ancient Greek writers who do associate Medusa with Africa. Notably, the Greek historian Herodotos of Halikarnassos (lived c. 484 c The people of Sparta claimed that Ares had been nursed by a nymph called Thero. Since this is a trope about a mythological creature, see the trope description above for the most common versions of the mythology. A single glimpse of Medusas face was enough to kill a man instantly. Doraemon: Nobita's Great Adventure into the Underworld, Nadeko imbibing the remnants of a snake oddity and transforming into a Snake Goddess, long hair that could be used as tentacles to grab people, using a piece of the snake-mane to squirt acidic venom into her own eyes, demanding certain kinds of people not be let into the Watch, regret her decision to turn her into a monster, a giant snake's body in lieu of humanoid legs, many monsters are immune or highly resistant to, she was turned into a monster as punishment, Brothel for the Slaking of Intellectual Lusts, the monster she eventually became at the end of her life at the cost of her sanity, giant monster made of snakes that can shoot lasers from its single eye, that at least he can still move this time, One of the first major villains faced by the heroes of, The little known 1978 anime film Metamorphoses, which is based on, One that deserves particular mention is the, Gorgons have a particular presence on Theros, a plane directly inspired by, Several runs earlier Diana faced a much-less intelligent (but only slightly less deadly) Medusa imitation during a tournament to choose a new Wonder Woman. In Ancient Greece, the Gorgoneion (Greek: ) was a special apotropaic amulet showing the Gorgon head, used most famously by the Olympian deities Athena and Zeus: both are said to have worn the gorgoneion as a protective pendant. [40], A longstanding joke makes a word play between Lamia the monster and Lamia of Athens, the notorious hetaira courtesan who captivated Demetrius Poliorcetes (d. 283 BC). 1st century BC) gave a de-mythologized account of Lamia as a queen of Libya who ordered her soldiers to snatch children from their mothers and kill them, and whose beauty gave way to bestial appearance due to her savageness. The intercourse of men and women there is promiscuous; they do not cohabit but have intercourse like cattle. Some nymphs in Greek mythology were famous, but others were only known in a certain time Hecate Greek Goddess of Witchcraft : The Complete Guide. For Apollonius in speech declares that the seductress is "one of the empousai, which most other people would call lamiai and mormolykeia". He identifies the Greek Perseus with an Egyptian cult in the city of Chemmis, and writes as if all of Libya and Egypt are in the same direction from Greece: Herodotus always calls Egyptian divinities by Greek names, when he can. While Medusa and the Gorgons have often been interpreted as representative of a danger of the sea, some scholars believe that their origin lies in history rather than solely in the realm of legend. Engraged, Athena, unable to punish Poseidon, banished Medusa to an island and cursed her to have snakes for hair and a face so revolting it would turn the onlooker to stone. Thats clear from his description of the ethnic mix at Siwa (2.43): he tells us that the people there were a mix of colonists from Egypt and Ethiopia, and they customarily use speech that is in between both. He was well aware of ethnic differences between Siwa and the Nile valley, but interpreted them in terms that were familiar to him. As one of the Gorgons, a trio of winged women with venomous snakes for hair, Medusa ranked among the most feared, powerful monsters to dominate early Greek mythology. They think that Medusa was a goddess. | FAQs | ^Mods | Magic ^Words. The presence of three monsters even though only one is important to the story could be a relic of a pre-Greek triple goddesss cult being destroyed by the Olympians. It has been cautioned that there may not be great import in the label "lamiae" here beyond derogatory insult, Incidentally, Dio in Oration 37 quotes a Sibyl's song in which the Sibyl (. I have no doubt that a spirit could appear adopting the name and visage of Medusa, I just think it is good to be cognizant that worship of Medusa is thoroughly modern and did not occur in the past. Either way, Athena was furious. Her head never lost its power to turn those who looked at it to stone, and was placed on Athenas shield to ward off evil. [72], By the Early Middle Ages, lamia (pl. Medusa's main characteristics are snakes for hair and that people turn to stone just by seeing her face. This is given in the concluding paragraph of the chapter. Grant) (Roman mythographer C2nd A.D.) . Grant) (Roman mythographer C2nd A.D.) : The helm that belonged to Hades was not kept in the Underworld, but by the Hesperides nymphs. A Roman-era mythographic text describes the Gorgons as follows: Perseus escaped from the other two Gorgons using the cap of Hades. The Gorgons may have originally represented a similar triple goddess cult. The basis of this identification is the variant maternities of scylla, sometimes ascribed to Lamia (as already mentioned), and sometimes to Hecate. Nowadays, scholars of ancient religion know better than to take it as evidence that one god is derived from the other. "a Lamia's groin" (Benjamin Bickley Rogers, 1874), "a foul Lamia's testicles" (Athenian Society, 1912), "sweaty Crotch of a Lamia" (Paul Roche, 2005). For this reason, earrings, bracelets and necklaces featuring Medusa have continued to be sought after by those who wish to protect and celebrate the resilience, emotionality, and empowerment that has long been pushed down in feminine people. The story of Medusa seems to obviously be one of a terrible monster. Many pantheons, including the Greek one, had triple goddesses. Other legends suggest that Medusa is a Libyan snake goddess. Now, I cant speak from a position of authority on this, but in my limited experience, Berbers arent keen on this pigeonholing. Learn what works (and what doesn't) from the reader's perspective. Remember how Herodotus interprets the people of Siwa as a mix of Egyptian and Ethiopian: in reality, we today would most likely call them Berber. Snakes are traditionally associated with menstruation. She also had two sons by Amphithemis--if this is the same Tritonis--named Kephalion (Cephalion) and Nasamon who were the founding kings of two Libyan tribes. Zeus gave Lamia the power of prophecy and the ability to take out and reinsert her eyes, possibly because she was cursed by Hera with insomnia or because she could no longer close her eyes, so that she was forced to always obsess over her lost children.[1]. Both sexes resemble the scaly humanoid from 3rd edition, though with less haggish features. [93], Lamia may originate from the Mesopotamian demoness Lamashtu. Perseus received divine aid, in the form of a special wallet to carry the head; winged sandals that enabled him to fly; and the cap of Hades to make him invisible. The story of her beheading is an allegory for how an ancient cult was destroyed by the ancestors of the Greeks. [63], One of the doubles of Lamia of Libya is the Lamia-Sybaris, which is described only as a giant beast by Antoninus Liberalis (2nd century). If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Herodotus Egyptian interlocutors spoke to him in Greek, and as a result, they used Greek names. The mythical gorgon Medusa. As an infant he was cast into the sea in a chest with his mother by Acrisius, to whom it had been prophesied that he would be killed by his grandson. WebIn Greek mythology Tritonis was the goddess-nymph of the salt-water lake Tritonis in Libya, North Africa. Lamia's possible kindred kind appear in Classical works, but may be known by other names except for isolated instance which calls it a lamia. WebMedusa was one of the three Gorgons ("the Terrible Ones"), the daughters of Keto ("Whale," daughter of Gaea and Pontos, the outer sea) and her brother Phorkys (also a Interesting: Winged Gorgoneion (Olympia B ^110) | ^Medusa | Medusa ^Rondanini | Gorgoneion ^Group, Parent commenter can toggle ^NSFW or ^delete. Athenas participation in the destruction of Medusa may be interpreted as the goddess destroying her own past. Aeneas didnt originate in Roman myth, but hes still an important part of Roman myth. [97], In Edward Topsell's History of Four-footed Beasts (1607), the lamia is described as having the upper body (i.e., the face and breasts) of a woman, but with goatlike hind quarters with large and filthy "stones" (testicles) that smell like sea-calves, on authority of Aristophanes. [19], Other bogeys have been listed in conjunction with "Lamia", for instance, the Gorgo, the eyeless giant Ephialtes, a Mormolyce named by Strabo. Aldrich) (Greek mythographer C2nd A.D.) : Apollonius Rhodius, Argonautica 4. IF IT'S PERSONAL GNOSIS, THERE IS NO REVIVAL. Many other myths are interpreted as retellings of how the Greeks and their pantheon won power. And either way, she can still become Berber any time. They were the maiden, mother and crone. ((lacuna)) They were slain in Libya by the shepherd Cephalion, brother of Nasamon, son of the Nymph Tritonis and Amphithemis, whsoe flocks they were plundering.. Berbers are people that speak one of the Berber group of languages Tamazight, Shawiya, Tuareg, and so on. It is later revealed that Modest is a special Medusa who will fortunately not turn into a hydra. Extremely saddened by what had happened to Pallas, Athene fashioned a wooden likeness of her, and round its breast tied the aegis which had frightened her, and set the statue beside Zeus and paid it honour. Sometimes, however, she is portrayed as a living woman. But it does seem to me that it isnt Berber people who want to claim Medusa. Send your order in a special package containing an embossed gift bag, tissue paper, Awe branded polishing cloth and a notecard. He also received the winged sandals of Hermes, a sword made by Hephaestus, and the invisibility helm of Hades. What makes you cringe? The best explanation of Medusa is, that she was initially a volcano myth. In support of that theory: - She turns people to stone, much like getting banished Medusa to an island and cursed her to have snakes for hair and a face so revolting it would turn the onlooker to stone. Much later, in the first decade AD, the Roman poet Ovid wrote a different version where Medusa was a virgin priestess of Athena, but her incredible beauty attracted the attentions of the god Poseidon. The technical term for the image of Medusas severed head is gorgoneion. [1.2] ATHENE, PALLAS (by Triton) (reconstructed from Apollodorus 3.144) Medusa, to me, is the monstrous version of a heroic mortal. Most frequently, only her severed head is depicted. Through the century Medusa became a feminist symbol of the power of feminine rage, leaving the male gaze, and finding independence, in addition to protection. He carries a Medusa head that he similarly uses to petrify enemy units. Medusa teaches us to know and love ourselves outside of the expectations of patriarchal society. "The Views on Medusa Goddess in Mythology." Beheading her was a metaphor for destroying the masks that were central to her cult. Medusa teaches us to know and love ourselves outside of the expectations of patriarchal society. These include the half-woman, half-snake beasts of the "Libyan myth" told by Dio Chrysostom, and the monster sent to Argos by Apollo to avenge Psamathe (Crotopus). (Apollon. They are depicted as female creatures with 'snake-like' bodies and seduce the protagonist Rael in an attempt to devour him, but as soon as they 'taste' Rael's body, the blood that enters the lamias' body causes their death. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. She was one of three sisters, all known as creatures named Gorgons. "The Views on Medusa Goddess in Mythology." All of his heroic actions could be seen as reflections of his fathers power. The lamiai (Greek: ) also became a type of phantom, synonymous with the empusai who seduced young men to satisfy their sexual appetite and fed on their flesh afterward. Myths are malleable, after all. [14][27], Numerous sources attest to the Lamia being a "child-devourer", one of them being Horace. You may have heard that Medusa was originally a Libyan goddess or alternatively, that the Greek myth of Medusa was designed to demonise black women. [18][26] Such practices are recorded by the 1st century Diodorus,[9] and other sources in antiquity. In 2008, the Mattel company produced the Barbie Doll as Medusa, a collectors doll that portrays a beautiful, sexy pre-transformation Medusa. She is a goddess of menstrual power and hence female power. Godley) (Greek historian C5th B.C.) We'll take a look right away. What Were the Hamadryads in Greek Mythology? On his way back to Greece he paused in the Maghreb and turned the Titan Atlas to stone. So if Berber people want Medusa to be Berber, then yes, shes Berber. Medusas image lived on as that of one of the worst monsters in Greek mythology, but some historians believe that she might not have always been a monster at all. Some believed that Africa became the home to many varieties of snakes as Medusa wandered the continent and shed them from her hair. [p][11] Isidore of Seville defined them as beings that snatched babies and ripped them apart. It is referred to as Poine or Ker[60] in classical sources, but later in the Medieval period, one source does call it a lamia (First Vatican Mythographer, c. 9th to 11th century).[61][62]. The monster in the heroic story could symbolize a pre-Greek religion. [9] Heraclitus's euhemerized account explains that Hera, consort of Zeus, gouged the eyes out of the beautiful Lamia. One development stage of jellyfish is named after Medusa, and jellyfishes are called Medusa in several languages. Medusa, the most beautiful and only mortal Gorgon sister, is a sea spirit. In Renaissance emblems, Lamia has the body of a serpent and the breasts and head of a woman, like the image of hypocrisy. But that doesnt mean there arent any. But once Apollonius reveals her false identity at the wedding, the illusion fails her and vanishes. Kibin, 2023, www.kibin.com/essay-examples/the-views-on-medusa-goddess-in-mythology-u4hTw2Vu. Anthropologists and historians regularly tell us, in fact, that Berber as an overarching ethnic category is a comparatively recent phenomenon. The involvement of other gods, however, made the destruction of Medusa seem like a high priority. As I said at the start, its entirely a matter of what people want. WebMedusa. (See further Lloyd 1994: 367369.). She was usually represented as a winged female creature having a head of hair The story is not one of a single monster being killed, but of an enemy culture and its religion being destroyed and replaced by the Greeks and the gods of Mount Olympus. And those analogues that exhibit a serpentine form or nature have been especially noted. She was a beautiful maiden with golden hair. Each of the sisters' names further elaborated on their nature: fitting to her story, Medusas is rooted in the Greek verb meaning to protect.. One day they'll use my head, but cleave and leave the rest of me behind, which seemsunkind.". The Traditional Story of Medusa. It makes us look like a bunch of judging Christians. Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses Written by Judika Illes Copyright 2009 by Judika Illes. Approximately 10% of the females are "greater medusae", who have super-toxic blood and. Translating names in this way is called interpretatio graeca. - Alfredo Alvarez, student @ Miami University, We use cookies to provide the best possible experience on our site. Heres a run-down of where ancient sources placed the Gorgons. [22], John Keats's Lamia in his Lamia and Other Poems is a reworking of the tale in Apollonius's biography by Philostratus, described above. (Pindar puts the Gorgons in or near Hyperborea, a fictional place in the far north. [45][92], A foul odor has been pointed out as a possible common motif or attribute of the lamiai. Turned those who gazed at her to stone she 's a singular character removing every error start, its a!, see the trope description above for the most beautiful and only mortal Gorgon sister is! Sources, she was invented by Greeks best possible experience on our site in! Ancient sources placed the Gorgons in or near Hyperborea, a collectors Doll that portrays a beautiful, sexy Medusa! 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