Medusa s story greek myths book

Accordingly, ovid relates that the once beautiful mortal was punished by athena with a hideous appearance and loathsome snakes for hair for having been raped in athena s temple by poseidon. For a poetic account, see the ending of the fourth book of ovids metamorphoses. The myth of perseus and medusa is one of the best thrillerlike tales in greek mythology with a promising plot that gets more complicated as the story progresses, this myth has a typical hollywoodlike scenario with the main character not being born yet at the moment when his destiny was determined. Medusa was a priestess to the goddess athena, the virgin goddess of wisdom and battle. Just as in some of our favorite action stories, not all characters in greek myths were good or nice. When the god poseidon assaults her by the sea one night, she learns just how little power she holds in the supposedly free and enlightened city of athens. According to this ancient author, the three sisters, sthenno, euryale. She was a very kind and she obeyed her greek gods and goddesses. Many years later, perseus presented the head of medusa to athena, who took the severed head and turned it into an ultimate shield with a metal head of medusa terrifying many enemies with a single look. This story contains mf sex, it is based on the greek myth of how medusa turned into the monster that most people know of. All of medusas siblings were monsters by birth and, even though she was not. The superhero survival story puts readers in control of the action. Phineus is angry that his fiancee has been carried off.

Apollodorus, the library hesiod, theogony homer, the iliad, homeric hymns, the odyssey ovid, metamorphoses vergil, the aeneid secondary sources. One day, poseidon, the god of the sea and rival to athena, saw medusa and decided to humiliate athena by raping the priestess on the steps. The medusa myth has enjoyed a renaissance since the story was featured in the clash of the titans movies in 1981 and 2010, and percy jackson and the olympians, also. The new national geographic treasury of greek mythology offers timeless stories of greek myths in a beautiful new volume.

A story says that hercules acquired a lock of medusas hair from athena and gave it to the daughter of cepheus, sterope, to protect the town of tegea from being attacked. The story of medusa in greek mythology continued briefly after her decapitation. Each is skillfully retold by ann turnbull, and readers young and old are welcomed into a golden world of beauty, tragedy, and miracle. Greek myths famous stories, myths and legends of ancient. Sarah iles johnston argues that the nature of myths as gripping tales starring vivid characters enabled them to do their most important work. Story time just got better with prime book box, a subscription that delivers. Most sources describe her as the daughter of phorcys and ceto, although the author hyginus makes. From medusa s body came a winged horse, pegasus, and a golden warrior named chrysaor. The goddess became angry, and changed medusa into a monster with snakes for hair. Medusa has been treated very poorly throughout mythology. Brought to life with lyrical text by awardwinning author donna jo napoli, the tales of gods and goddesses such as zeus, aphrodite, apollo, and athena and heroes and monsters such as helen of troy, perseus, and medusa will fascinate and engage childrens imaginations. The amazing story of medusa really is easy reading for kids and children who are learning about the history, myths and legends of the ancient roman and greek gods.

The story of medusa and athena dltks crafts for kids. As an educator and counselor, i often use tales from classic greek mythology as a way of relating common themes that speak to the human condition. Transformed into a vicious monster with snakes for hair, she was. Medusa was asleep and perseus, using the reflection in athenas bronze shield as a guide so as to not look directly at the gorgons and be turned into stone, managed to cut off her head with his sickle. I also read contemporary retellings by jenny march in the penguin book of classical myths, robert graves in greek mythology, edith hamilton in mythology, and, for a pop culture spin, rick riordan in percy jacksons greek heroes and percy jacksons greek gods. Having survived the feared monsters, odysseus and his men proceeded with their adventure. Her hair held the same powers as her head so that when it was exposed it caused a storm which chased away the foes.

Sometimes they do but they werent told as fables they just showed he gods might and power. The myths team many years ago there was a beautiful women called medusa. I remember reading the story of medusa, or at least one version of it, in my fathers edition of bullfinchs mythology when i was a child. Reclaim medusas story and invite the reader into her mind to explore gender politics following the sexual harassment claims faced by us film director harvey weinstein and many other powerful men. Theres very little to fear about the story of arachne, however. The story of medusa greek mythology explained youtube. Oct 28, 2016 the story of medusa greek mythology explained duration. Hers is a cautionary tale about pride that we can all learn from. Adapted from the myths and legends of ancient greece and rome by e. This second series was first aired in 1990, focused, as the title suggests, on greek mythology, and took place in the minotaur s labyrinth which the new storyteller and. Learn more about the traditional story of perseus in this article.

An introduction to greek mythology for children the story. Daulaires greek myths here are the gods, goddesses, and legendary figures of ancient greecemighty zeus, with his fistful of thunderbolts. The myth of perseus and medusa, according to pindar and apollodorus, started with a quest. Once upon a time, a long time ago there lived a beautiful maiden named medusa. Around 700 bc, the poet hesiods theogony offered the first written cosmogony, or origin story, of greek mythology.

Short myth stories and legends roman and greek gods and. As i read this book, i looked up a little of the greek mythology surrounding medusa, and it appears there is tale that she wasnt always the hideous creature that. The fifth book of the metamorphoses begins with the story of perseuss marriage to andromeda. Medusa lived in the city of athens in a country named greece and although there were many pretty girls in the city, medusa was considered the most lovely. In mythology, edith hamilton writes that the perseus myth was popular in ancient times. Perseus return journey to seriphos was a long one, and stopping off in aethiopia perseus discovered that andromeda was to be sacrificed to a sea. I was caught up in the love story of medusa and ariston, and the clever machinations of the gods and goddesses of olympus.

An empowering ya title for bloomsbury exploring themes of toxic masculinity and the meaning of consent. A story of victim blaming, one that she says sounds all too familiar in a current american context. Those involved felt he had forfeited his right to marry andromeda when he failed to rescue her from the sea monster. Oct 26, 2016 the real story of medusa may not be what you think it is. A table of the chief gods of ancient greece vii introduction ix l stories of the gods the trickery of hermes 3 the loves of apollo 9 phaethon, son of apollo iz athenes city 18 arachne zz the origin of the seasons z8 the mysteries of dionysus 36 ii the loves of the gods cupid and psyche 43 the spring flowers 58. This story tells of having to make a choice between two equally difficult options. Aug 20, 20 in later myths mainly in ovid medusa was the only gorgon to possess snake locks, because they were a punishment from athena. The arachne is a creature from greek mythology, whose name was later used for words like arachnid and arachnophobia. Aug 06, 2018 i also read contemporary retellings by jenny march in the penguin book of classical myths, robert graves in greek mythology, edith hamilton in mythology, and, for a pop culture spin, rick riordan in percy jacksons greek heroes and percy jacksons greek gods. The theogony tells the story of the universes journey from nothingness.

The myth of perseus and medusa greek myths and greek. Medusa jessies medusa is gripping, lyrical and empowering. The snakeheaded, petrifying image of medusa is instantly recognizable in popular culture. The goddess was outraged, and changed medusa into a monster with snakes for hair. The hunt for medusas head a greek myth graphic myths and legends. Medusa and athena ancient greek goddesses greek mythology. The story of medusa and the greek goddess athena a myth submitted to the site by shainuja many years ago there was a beautiful women called medusa.

Luckily, most of these myths have been written in terms that children can understand. She was a very kind and she obeyed her greek gods and. Greek myths is a four episode miniseries, which had a different storyteller michael gambon, but the same dog again performed and voiced by brian henson. In fact, one can argue that the most peculiar fragments of her biography are all posthumous. In ovids recounting, medusa was raped by poseidon in athenas temple, and athena, angered by her temples desecration, turned medusas hair into serpents. The story of pandora and her box, snakehaired medusa, and the greedy king midas are three of the twelve myths presented in a colorfully illustrated collection of greek myths. Her story has been told and retold by ancient and modern storytellers, writers, and artists. Greek mythology medusa, in greek mythology, the most famous of the monster figures known as gorgons. According to this ancient author, the three sisters, sthenno, euryale, and medusa, were the children of phorcys and ceto and lived beyond famed oceanus at the worlds edge hard by night. One of my favorites is the medusa story, sometimes referred to as perseus and the gorgon medusa. Perseus and medusa photo by nightowl on pixabay, perseus and medusa. The story of medusa greek mythology explained duration.

Website 5 see an ancient greek pot with a picture of perseus carrying medusas head in a. In ancient greek mythology, medusa is the most famous of three monstrous. In ancient greek mythology, medusa is the most famous of three monstrous sisters known as the gorgons. Perseus was the son of zeus and danae, the daughter of acrisius of argos. Mar 29, 2019 the fifth book of the metamorphoses begins with the story of perseus s marriage to andromeda. Let s learn about an important bad guy in greek mythology, medusa. Not having simonides on hand, i looked at versions in hesiod, pindar, apollodorus. A wonder book for girls and boys features six classic tales written especially for children by nathaniel hawthorne. Perseus, one of the most famous of the legendary heroes of ancient times, was the.

Strangely enough, medusas story doesnt end with her death. Perseus, in greek mythology, the slayer of the gorgon medusa and the rescuer of andromeda from a sea monster. Website 5 see an ancient greek pot with a picture of perseus carrying medusa s head in a bag. Nov 23, 2017 what can the myth of medusa tell us about classical myth, perceptions of female power and sexism from antiquity to today. Medusa simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Based on the original greek myth, medusa is the story of a woman who tries to make her own fate in a patriarchal world. Sep 22, 2015 around 8 ad, ovida roman poet celebrated for his faithful retelling of popular greek mythsproduced his famous metamorphoses, an expansive book of myths which includes the myth of perseus and his slaying of medusa. Its mentioned hamilton notes in simonides, hesiod, pindar, apollodorus, and by the roman writer ovid. Lets learn about an important bad guy in greek mythology, medusa.

The story of myth sarah iles johnston harvard university. On byu radios constant wonder, listen to sarah iles johnston discuss the endless entertainment of greek mythology at 29. Medusa and athena ancient greek goddesses greek mythology in later myths mainly in ovid. She shows how greek myths and the stories told by all cultures affect our shared view of the cosmos and the creatures who inhabit it. I glanced over the story again when studying ovids metamorphoses in classics at school. It was foretold to danaes father, acrisius the king of argos, that danaes son would kill him. Website 4 see a picture of medusa the gorgon, painted on an ancient greek bowl made over 2,500 years ago. Whispers ran through all the people in the temple who quickly began to leave for everyone knew that athena enjoyed watching over the people of athens and feared what might happen if the goddess had overheard medusas rash remarks. Why is medusas sad backstory so rarely told in greek myth. One requirement to be a priestess for athena is that the young woman must be a virgin and give her life to the goddess. The myth of perseus and medusa, according to pindar and apollodorus.

In greek mythology, medusa also called gorgo, was one of the three monstrous gorgons. According to hesiods theogony, the gorgons were the sisters of the graiai and. There were many pretty girls there, medusa was one of them. I was riveted from the very beginning of the story as the author took me on an incredibly joyous and tragic ride.

Mar 14, 2019 medusa has been treated very poorly throughout mythology. But as will be the case with many of my generation, the most. Greek myths by olivia coolidge illustrated by edouard sandoz. Medusa was a monster, one of the gorgon sisters and daughter of phorkys. The death of medusa edward burnejones 18331898 pdart100. From the tragedy of persephone to the fearsome minotaur. Strangely enough, medusa s story doesnt end with her death. What can the myth of medusa tell us about classical myth, perceptions of female power and sexism from antiquity to today.

Perseus was the son of danae and zeus, who came to danae in the form of a golden spring. One of the best stories to begin with is the story of medusa. Reclaim medusa s story and invite the reader into her mind to explore gender politics following the sexual harassment claims faced by us film director harvey weinstein and many other powerful men. The real story of medusa may not be what you think it is. A beautiful mortal, medusa was the exception in the family, until she incurred the wrath of athena, either due to her boastfulness or because of an illfated love affair with poseidon. Around 8 ad, ovida roman poet celebrated for his faithful retelling of popular greek mythsproduced his famous metamorphoses, an expansive book of myths which includes the myth of perseus and his slaying of medusa.

In this section of the book, ovid gives a completely different origin story for the terrifying creature. Medusa is the name of a monster, passed down through the centuries. Every single day medusa always boasted about her self. Medusa, in greek mythology, the most famous of the monster figures known as gorgons. Bulfinch, thomas, greek and roman mythology daulaire, ingri and daulaire, edgar, book of greek myths grant, michael and hazel, john, whos who in classical mythology hamilton, edith, mythology. Perseus, one of the most famous of the legendary heroes of ancient times, was the son of zeus and danae, daughter of acrisius, king of argos. The earliest known record about the story of medusa and the gorgons can be found in hesiods theogony. Or will your battles with mythical creatures lead to your doom. In percy jackson and the sea of monsters book hermes and percy are talking about hermes story. The word gorgon derives from the ancient greek word. Top 12 popular and fascinating ancient greece myths.

Medusa, in greek mythology, the most famous of the monster figures known as. The user submitted story below is similar to one version of the medusa myth. Additional facts and information about the mythology and legends of individual gods and goddesses of these ancient civilizations can be accessed via the following links. In most versions of the story, she was beheaded by the hero perseus, who was.

Medusa is widely known as a monstrous creature with snakes in her hair whose gaze turns men to stone. The latin poet ovid writes in book iv of his metamorphoses that poseidon attacked medusa in the temple of athena. Percy asks the moral and hermes just says that a story doesnt need a moral to be good does life have a moral. Anwen kya hayward attempts the give medusa something better. There were pretty girls there, and medusa was one of them. Medusa is one of the most famous characters of greek. Medusa was one of the three gorgons, daughters of phorcys and ceto, sisters of the graeae, echidna, and ladon all dreadful and fearsome beasts. Medusa, a love story quickly rose to the top of my alltime favorite books. The latin poet ovid writes in book iv of his metamorphoses that poseidon had raped medusa in the temple of athena. Beyond that, medusa s story is, johnston argues, a rape narrative.

Apr 22, 2012 medusa, a love story quickly rose to the top of my alltime favorite books. The medusa myth has enjoyed a renaissance since the story was featured in the clash of the titans movies in 1981 and 2010, and percy jackson and the olympians, also in 2010, where medusa is portrayed by actress uma thurman. It includes the legends of pandora and the box of troubles, king midas and the golden touch, perseus and the medusa, philemon and baucis, bellerophon and pegasus, and the labors of hercules, all. On the ohio state university podcast voices of excellence, listen to professor johnston discuss how myths and engaging narratives of all kinds create beliefand the way that telling stories might have contributed to human survival. Greek mythologys adventures of perseus is one of the most thrilling myths for kids. This second series was first aired in 1990, focused, as the title suggests, on greek mythology, and took place in the minotaurs labyrinth which the new storyteller and his dog wander through looking for a way out. She was usually represented as a winged female creature having a head of hair consisting of snakes.