| The Gorgons were the daughters of Ceto and Phorcys. Their names are Stheino, Euryale, and Medusa, mean "strength", "wide-leaping" and "queen." They were all once beautiful. Medusa was the youngest and most beautiful, but was turned hideous by Athene when she found out that Medusa had slept with Poseidon in one of Athene's temples. Her beautiful locks of hair were transformed into snakes. Why and when the other two sisters were transformed is not clear. It is suggested that maybe they were born ugly. The three are winged monsters with grotesque features, brazen claws, and snakes as hair. One look from any of them would turn a man to stone. After Perseus killed Medusa, her head was given to Athene and Asclepius, who were able to use the blood to either raise the dead or kill the living. |
