The Myth of Medusa: More Than Just a Monster

There's More to the Story of Medusa Than You Ever Imagined

We are all familiar with Medusa, the mythological Gorgon with snakes for hair and the ability to turn men to stone just by making eye contact. But how much do you know about her backstory? In ancient Greek mythology, she was a straightforward monster that needed to be killed for the safety of humankind. But in a later retelling by the Roman poet Ovid, Medusa started out as a perfectly normal young woman who was raped and then blamed for it. Her …

The Myth of Medusa: More Than Just a Monster

Before she became the snake-haired Gorgon whose gaze turned men to stone, Medusa was a devoted maiden of Athena. But after a brutal assault by Poseidon in the goddess’s temple, Athena punished Medusa — not the god—transforming her into a creature feared by all. Hunted by “heroes” seeking fame, Medusa took refuge in a cave… until Perseus arrived with divine gifts and a deadly mission. This retelling by TED-ED unravels the layers of a myth that’s …