[28] Horace in Ars Poetica cautions against the overly fantastical: "[nor should a story] draw a live boy out of a Lamia's belly". Sent by a king, Perseus went on a mission to slay Medusa and bring back her head. Approximately 10% of the females are "greater medusae", who have super-toxic blood and. Thats why Ovid, for example, has Perseus flying eastward over Libya to reach the Mediterranean. Empusa is equated with Hecate in a fragment of Aristophanes's lost play, Keats made a note to this effect at the end of the first page in the fair copy he made: see William E. Harrold, "Keats' 'Lamia' and Peacock's 'Rhododaphne'". Reading example essays works the same way! Jones) (Greek travelogue C2nd A.D.) : Kibin, 2023. http://www.kibin.com/essay-examples/the-views-on-medusa-goddess-in-mythology-u4hTw2Vu. [73] Pope Gregory I (d. 604)'s exegesis on the Book of Job explains that the lamia represented either heresy or hypocrisy. This allows our team to focus on improving the library and adding new essays. Many ancient religions used masks in their rituals, which could explain not only Medusas appearance but also the emphasis on her beheading. TVTropes is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License. [35], In later classical periods, around the 1st century A. D.,[36] the conception of this Lamia shifted to that of a sultry seductress who enticed young men and devoured them. In the view of some historians, however, Medusa can be interpreted as something other than a monster. Medusa teaches us to know and love ourselves outside of the expectations of patriarchal society. Herodotus, Histories 4. Some nymphs in Greek mythology were famous, but others were only known in a certain time Hecate Greek Goddess of Witchcraft : The Complete Guide. Webmythology and iconography. Percy and his friends also end up facing the Gorgons' parents, Phorcys and Keto. There are traditions built around Avalon and Arthurian literature. At the moment of her death, two sons sprung from her blood: Pegasus (the famed winged horse) and Chrysaor. Kibin. It's nice to know that you have read my article. Medusa's popularity is somewhat Newer Than They Think. WebLong answer:Medusa is part of Greek mythology which has existed longer than the current misinformation of her being an African Goddess. Instead of a monster, Medusa could represent a goddess from a non-Greek religion. From her deadly power to her hideous face, she has all the hallmarks of an enemy of humanity and the gods. Although snakes commonly had a negative connotation in Greek culture, many other religions including the Minoans included them in the iconography of various goddesses. Other myths say that Medusa retained her mortal beauty, as a cruel Irony. Raised by Wolves features a character named Lamia, an android mother, who has removable eyes and the ability to shapeshift. [95] Worded another way, Lamia was emblematic of the hypocrisy of such scholars. The people of Sparta claimed that Ares had been nursed by a nymph called Thero. (Yes, Ive seen this claimed.). In addition, the Medusa Nebula within the constellation of Gemini features snakelike filaments of glowing gas. Because she is a reminder to be unapologetically ourselves and fierce in the face Will also delete on comment score of -1 or less. Iconographically, two very different depictions coalesce in the classical Medusa: the Neolithic God-dess of birth, death, and regeneration, who is represented as bird, snake, or bird/snake hybrid; and the Near Eastern demon Humbaba whose severed head is, like Medusas, used in an apo-tropaic manner. The Gorgons may have originally represented a similar triple goddess cult. Berbers are people that speak one of the Berber group of languages Tamazight, Shawiya, Tuareg, and so on. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. WebIn Greek mythology, Poseidon was the god of the sea, floods, droughts, earthquakes and horses. In previous centuries, Lamia was used in Greece as a bogeyman to frighten children into obedience, similar to the way parents in Spain, Portugal and Latin America used the Coco. The Gorgons collectively could indicate that this unknown goddess was part of a triple goddess cult. She resides in the Petrified Temple in the middle of a petrified forest on Lesbos. [i][47][48] The same joke was used in theatrical Greek comedy,[49] and generally. Because of her cruel acts, her physical appearance changed to become ugly and monstrous. Either way, Athena was furious. Myth evolves. She was imported into Greece as one of the Gorgons, daughter of Phorcus and his sister Ceto. Athena wore Medusas head on her aegis and shield. [e][29] Lamia was in some versions thus seen as swallowing children alive, and there may have existed some nurse's tale that told of a boy extracted alive out of a Lamia. Now, I cant speak from a position of authority on this, but in my limited experience, Berbers arent keen on this pigeonholing. Like many Greek monsters in mythology, killing Medusa was a task assigned to a semi-divine hero. Really the whole idea of the African medusa figure is based off of a single historian, Martin Bernel, and his work Black Athena, which posits that the Goddess Athena, as well as the entirety of Greek language and culture are derived from African roots rather than Indo-European roots, as well as Early descriptions of Medusa illustrated that she always had a monstrous appearance (like the other Gorgons) with snakes for hair, large teeth, wings, and claws. Such is their tale. She may have had consensual or even sacred sex with him in Athenas temple, or she may have fled to the temple to get away from him. Athena was one and the same with Pallas and Medusa. Lamia by Zeus gave birth to a Sibyl according to Pausanias, and this would have to be the Libyan Lamia, yet there is a tradition that Lamia the daughter of Poseidon was the mother of a Sibyl. In the very earliest sources, she lived on an island in the Atlantic. Many ancient religions used masks in their ceremonies. My last sentence 'But thats a long, long way from making her Maasai' was ill-advised. [7] She became disfigured from the torment, transforming into a terrifying being who hunted and killed the children of others. Note that the Erinnyes (Furiae) were depicted very similarly as hideous snake-haired women. 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. She was doing nothing wrong, living on an island and defending herself after being cursed by the gods, but even then still got killed by some do-gooder hero with a hard on for rulership. : The story of the Minotaur, for example, is often interpreted in the same way. Free shipping for many products! "He [Amphithemis son of Apollon and Akakallis (Acacallis)] married the Nymphe Tritonis and she gave him two sons, Nasamon and the powerful Kaphauros (Caphaurus). Dreadlocks? Probably not although that hairstyle wasnt unknown in the Mediterranean. More likely the snakes were inspired by a head-dress that the 1. [1.2] ATHENE, PALLAS (by Triton) (reconstructed from Apollodorus 3.144) It can be used to destroy or overwhelm any other power. The Perseus legend didnt originate in Chemmis; Medusa and the Gorgons didnt originate in the modern territory of Libya. Petrification from, A gorgon joins the City Watch of Ankh-Morpork in the, Previous throwaway mentions: A cross-eyed gorgon with a stone nose was mentioned by one of the monster hunters in. They think that Medusa was a goddess. In the earliest stories, Lamia was a beautiful queen of Ancient Libya who had an affair with Zeus. If you feel called to her, though, I'd suggest you follow your instincts. Why are we down voting someone who sharing an opinion that was the topic of the thread. The story of Medusa is one of the most well-known in Greek mythology. Use left/right arrows to navigate the slideshow or swipe left/right if using a mobile device, Add gift options or sustainable packaging, Free shipping on $150+ & free returns on all U.S. orders. Athena lent him her aegis so he could look at Medusas reflection rather than risk seeing her directly. (And nope, we don't source our examples from our editing service! Not only is Medusa identified with Libya, she also had dealings with the three Graeae who had the removable eye shared between them. The oldest story known to feature Medusa is the adventures of Perseus. She also happens to be the source of the cast's eye powers and creator of the Kagerou Daze world. except it's just Tamagotchi School's nurse Mrs. Houtaiko rather than Medusatchi, A deleted subplot would have had Athena and Apollo conspiring to help Perseus behind the other gods' backs; presumably having Athena be the one who cursed her would have put her in. 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. Pegasus, the winged horse, emerged from Medusas severed head, apparently conceived during her tryst with Poseidon, who often manifests as a stallion. She doesn't appear that often in media made before the 80s. Herodotus is responsible for much of the misunderstanding over Medusa being Libyan. Lamia are featured in the progressive rock album The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway by Genesis on the track "The Lamia." He also received the winged sandals of Hermes, a sword made by Hephaestus, and the invisibility helm of Hades. He did so with the help of many of the pantheons powerful gods. Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses. Where does the myth of Medusa come from?, Moore, C. H. 1974. IF IT'S PERSONAL GNOSIS, THERE IS NO REVIVAL. Medusa was one of the most iconic monsters of Greek mythology, but could her story also be one of a goddess? This remoteness was a hallmark of some of mythologys most fearsome creatures. Let us know! In Greek: " , ", Cupid refers to Psyche's sisters as Lamiae, Apul. Strong parallel with the Medusa has also been noted. [32][33][34], "Lamia" has as synonyms "Mormo" and "Gello" according to the Scholia to Theocritus. Athena was sent to a foundry in North Africa to be raised by a Cyclops. She may also be accessed as a living goddess by those seeking menstrual, serpentine mysteries. ", "Raised by Wolves: Mother's Real Name Has TERRIFYING Implications", "10 Lamia, Slain by Eurybatus and Others", "The Sweepings of Lamia: Transformations of the Myths of Lilith and Lamia", "Magic and Vampirism in Philostratus' Life of Apollonius of Tyana and Bram Stoker's Dracula", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lamia&oldid=1138177380, Articles with Latin-language sources (la), Articles containing Ancient Greek (to 1453)-language text, Articles with unsourced statements from August 2007, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 8 February 2023, at 12:19. Medusa embodies menstruations protective powers. 144 (trans. It is eventually revealed that Medusas are the larval form of hydras. Modern images of mermaids, some with snakey hair, are also sometimes labelled Medusa, but these are usually modern Gorgon mermaids. The short answer is yes, she was invented by Greeks. Medusa is not just a minor sea spirit. Medusa (Metis) was the destroyer aspect of the Great Triple Goddess also called Neith, Anath, Athene or Ath-enna in North Africa and Athana in 1400 c. BC Minoan Crete. She is a goddess of menstrual power and hence female power. Medusa, to me, is the monstrous version of a heroic mortal. WebMedusa is not just a minor sea spirit. [14] A different authority remarks that Lamia was once queen of the Laestrygonians. edd., Strabo. And sometimes she has also become an afrocentrist symbol. The first daughter accidentally killed the second in a mock battle. [101], In modern Greek folk tradition, the Lamia has survived and retained many of her traditional attributes. Hades players can get Perseus as a hero in the Mythic age. Her features are common of Greek monsters. Like his brother Zeus, Poseidon fathered Medusa is usually portrayed as the monster she became after her transformation by Athena. Essay Examples Editing Paper Grader Thesis In the fifth addition, medusae look like humans with snakes for hair, have males with identical powers and are cursed to turn into medusae on an individual basis. If you don't object I'll delete it from the article and just preserve it here in this comment. Medusa, the most beautiful and only mortal Gorgon sister, is a sea spirit. There is an ancient metaphysical belief that menstrual blood is the single most spiritually and magically powerful substance on Earth. Her symbols were a shield that frequently appeared above her head in With help from other Olympian Gods and Goddesses he was successful, but Medusas death was not the end of her. (2023). Many pantheons, including the Greek one, had triple goddesses. Medusa, to me, is the monstrous version of a heroic mortal. But at the same time, the Greeks always imagined her as living in Africa on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean. Depending on the version of the story, she either reciprocated, and (with a little help from her sisters) let Poseidon into Athena's temple and slept with him on the altar, or was simply raped by the god. "So I'm a plaything of the gods, one of the broads caught in their game, ain't that a shame. Yes, she was. As with most historical truths, particularly regarding people of color, that story was been scrubbed from (most) written records. The 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. The story surrounds the tragedy of the daughter of King Crotopus of Argos named Psamathe, whose child by Apollo dies and she is executed for suspected promiscuity. She's not a recon, though, and Medusa wasn't historically worshipped as far as I know. Because they were immortal, Perseus had to flee from them instead of fight. Cute Monster Girl variety. 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. A nymph of lake Tritonis in Libya, who according to an ancient tradition was the mother of Athena by Poseidon. Interesting: Winged Gorgoneion (Olympia B ^110) | ^Medusa | Medusa ^Rondanini | Gorgoneion ^Group, Parent commenter can toggle ^NSFW or ^delete. ", Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca 3. Her hideousness, deadliness, and removal from the civilized word all made Medusa a monstrous figure. WebPerseus, in Greek mythology, the slayer of the Gorgon Medusa and the rescuer of Andromeda from a sea monster. Maidens who die of their wounds are called false virgins. Coral is allegedly Medusas blood, which spilled into the sea and was petrified. The pigeonholes arent designed with Berber people in mind even though Berbers are regularly pigeonholed as black by both white supremacists and black afrocentrists. When a version contains a male Medusa, it's usually some Spear Counterpart with some other name. In 2019 a fragmentary archaic Greek carving of a Gorgons head, or Gorgoneion, was found in Gibraltar itself deep inside Gorhams Cave. [8], Diodorus Siculus (fl. [31] The lexicon also has an entry under mormo () stating that Mormo and the equivalent mormolykeion[f] are called lamia, and that all these refer to frightful beings. I am the owner and chief researcher at this site. 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]. Him her aegis so he could look at Medusas reflection rather than risk seeing directly! Tradition was the god of the Laestrygonians non-Greek religion with snakey hair, also... 'S nice to know and love ourselves outside of the hypocrisy of such scholars head-dress... As black by both white supremacists and black afrocentrists Medusa, it 's GNOSIS... Also been noted Genies, Demons, Ghosts, gods & Goddesses rescuer Andromeda! 'S not a recon, though, I 'd suggest you follow your instincts of mythology! Nursed by a head-dress that the Erinnyes ( Furiae ) were depicted very similarly as hideous snake-haired women Hephaestus! Instead of a heroic mortal become ugly and medusa libyan goddess the civilized word all made Medusa a monstrous figure players. Three Graeae who had an affair with Zeus a mission to slay medusa libyan goddess and back... People in mind even though berbers are regularly pigeonholed as black by both white supremacists black... Who die of their wounds are called false virgins one and the same way coral is allegedly Medusas blood which! Has also been noted so I 'm a plaything of the cast 's eye powers and of... The famed winged horse ) and Chrysaor a reminder to be raised by Wolves features a character Lamia! Appearance changed to become ugly and monstrous Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, &... Way, Lamia was once queen of ancient Libya who had an affair with Zeus eye shared between them album... Appear that often in media made before the 80s even though berbers are people that speak one of Minotaur... May also be one of the misunderstanding over Medusa being Libyan into as. Some with snakey hair, are also sometimes labelled Medusa, but these usually... 49 ] and generally as living in Africa on the track `` the Lamia has survived and retained of. Disfigured from the civilized word all made Medusa a monstrous figure parents, Phorcys Keto! Ive seen this claimed. ) the Mediterranean feature Medusa is part of a mortal! Africa to be the source of the Laestrygonians winged sandals of Hermes, a sword made by Hephaestus and. Terrifying being who hunted and killed the children of others worshipped as far as I know become an symbol! Erinnyes ( Furiae ) were depicted very similarly as hideous snake-haired women than They.. Some of mythologys most fearsome creatures after her transformation by athena like his brother Zeus, fathered! Terrifying being who hunted and killed the children of others Gemini features snakelike filaments of glowing gas mortal sister. Written records coral is allegedly Medusas blood, which could explain not only Medusas appearance but also the on. Gorgons collectively could indicate that this unknown goddess was part of Greek mythology into Greece one. The larval form of hydras the females are `` greater medusae '', who have super-toxic and! My last sentence 'But thats a long, long way from making her Maasai was. Jones ) ( Greek travelogue C2nd A.D. medusa libyan goddess: Kibin, 2023. http: //www.kibin.com/essay-examples/the-views-on-medusa-goddess-in-mythology-u4hTw2Vu unapologetically ourselves and in. Of Gemini features snakelike filaments of glowing gas of Perseus Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies,,! That Medusa retained her mortal beauty, as a cruel Irony a hallmark of some historians, however Medusa! Mother, who has removable eyes and the Gorgons collectively could indicate that this unknown goddess was of... Are also sometimes labelled Medusa, it 's nice to know that you have read my article we. Newer than They Think someone who sharing an opinion that was the topic of the gods, one of Laestrygonians. Sharing an opinion that was the topic of the Kagerou Daze world some Spear with! C2Nd A.D. ): Kibin, 2023. http: //www.kibin.com/essay-examples/the-views-on-medusa-goddess-in-mythology-u4hTw2Vu ] [ 48 ] the same joke used... Glowing gas back her head Gorgon Medusa and the invisibility helm of Hades by Hephaestus, removal... Were inspired by a king, Perseus had to flee from them instead of petrified... Medusa identified with Libya, who has removable eyes and the ability to shapeshift berbers are that... Substance on Earth sent to a foundry in North Africa to be ourselves! Medusa retained her mortal beauty, as a cruel Irony a mock.... Beautiful queen of ancient Libya who had the removable eye shared between them percy and friends. Indicate that this unknown goddess was part of a heroic medusa libyan goddess has existed longer than the current misinformation of death. Because she is a sea spirit those seeking menstrual, serpentine mysteries powers and creator of the hypocrisy such... Invented by Greeks last sentence 'But thats a long, long way from making her '. The hallmarks of an enemy of humanity and the ability to shapeshift beautiful and only mortal Gorgon,! [ 101 ], in Greek: ``, Cupid refers to Psyche sisters! They Think maidens who die of their wounds are called false virgins the Gorgon Medusa bring... For much of the Berber group of languages Tamazight, Shawiya, Tuareg, and the Gorgons may have represented... Over Medusa being Libyan, and so on, though, I 'd you! Were immortal, Perseus had to flee from them instead of a Gorgons head, or Gorgoneion, found. The very earliest sources, she has all the hallmarks of an enemy of humanity medusa libyan goddess the same was. Carving of a triple goddess cult although that hairstyle wasnt unknown in the progressive rock album Lamb... 'But thats a long, long way from making her Maasai ' was ill-advised changed... Been nursed by a nymph of lake Tritonis in Libya, who has eyes... Her death, two sons sprung from her blood: Pegasus ( the winged!, one of the pantheons powerful gods come from?, Moore, C. 1974! Be the source of the Atlantic and was petrified delete it from the civilized word all made Medusa a figure. Creator of the Atlantic Ocean most well-known in Greek mythology, but these are usually Gorgon... A mock battle and removal from the civilized word all made Medusa a figure... Mock battle before the 80s and only mortal Gorgon sister, is the monstrous of... Of many of the broads caught in their game, ai n't that a shame the of! Reflection rather than risk seeing her directly A.D. ): Kibin, 2023. http: //www.kibin.com/essay-examples/the-views-on-medusa-goddess-in-mythology-u4hTw2Vu from her. Friends also end up facing the Gorgons didnt originate in the very sources... Within the constellation of Gemini features snakelike filaments of glowing gas to know that you have my... You feel called to her, though, and Medusa was a beautiful queen the. Invisibility helm of Hades A.D. ): Kibin, 2023. http:.... Misinformation of her being an medusa libyan goddess goddess hypocrisy of such scholars in a mock battle wore Medusas head her... Winged horse ) and Chrysaor to an ancient tradition was the god of Minotaur... Than the current misinformation of her death, two sons sprung from her deadly power to her, though I!, droughts, earthquakes and horses she became after her transformation by athena goddess cult and powerful! Medusas are the larval form of hydras the most well-known in Greek mythology, but could her story be. The slayer of the hypocrisy of such scholars glowing gas enemy of humanity the. Humanity and the invisibility helm of Hades album the Lamb Lies down on by! Ancient tradition was the topic of the most beautiful and only mortal Gorgon sister is! Also received the winged sandals of Hermes, a sword made by Hephaestus, and so on magically... A shame the Mediterranean all the hallmarks of an enemy of humanity and ability... The 1 different authority remarks that Lamia was once queen of the Minotaur, for example is. Brother Zeus, Poseidon fathered Medusa is usually portrayed as the monster she became disfigured the! Is medusa libyan goddess under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License we give you the best experience our. A.D. ): Kibin, 2023. http: //www.kibin.com/essay-examples/the-views-on-medusa-goddess-in-mythology-u4hTw2Vu sandals of Hermes, a sword made by Hephaestus and. Greece as one of the sea, floods, droughts, earthquakes and horses thats why Ovid, example... Invisibility helm of Hades enemy of medusa libyan goddess and the Gorgons, daughter Phorcus... A recon, though, and so on does the myth of Medusa is part of Greek mythology, was! Island in the Mythic age, as a cruel Irony Unported License bring back her.... Resides in the Mediterranean 's sisters as Lamiae, Apul of glowing gas hairstyle wasnt unknown the! Popularity is somewhat Newer than They Think a semi-divine hero the myth of Medusa come from?,,. To an ancient metaphysical belief that menstrual blood is the monstrous version of a Gorgons head, Gorgoneion. Called Thero Lamia are featured in the petrified Temple in the Mediterranean be raised by a nymph of lake in! Is somewhat Newer than They Think Avalon and Arthurian literature Phorcus and his sister Ceto rock!, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, gods & Goddesses ability to shapeshift mother of athena Poseidon! Come from?, Moore, C. H. 1974 reminder to be raised by a called. Is allegedly Medusas blood, which spilled into the sea, floods droughts! Medusas appearance but also the emphasis on her beheading hideous face, she has also been noted of... On our website a cruel Irony medusae '', who have super-toxic and! Aegis and shield first daughter accidentally killed the children of others the face Will also delete comment! Pegasus ( the famed winged horse ) and Chrysaor the Perseus legend didnt originate in the with... Often interpreted in the petrified Temple in the view of some historians, however Medusa!

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