What did Poseidon and Athena do to Medusa?

The snake-haired Medusa does not become widespread until the first century B.C. The Roman author Ovid describes the mortal Medusa as a beautiful maiden seduced by Poseidon in a temple of Athena. Such a sacrilege attracted the goddess' wrath, and she punished Medusa by turning her hair to snakes.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on metmuseum.org

What did Poseidon do to Medusa?

Medusa. The Medusa we know was raped by Poseidon in the goddess Athena's temple. Athena then punished her for desecrating her sacred space by cursing Medusa with a head full of snakes and a gaze that turns men to stone. Then, a heroic Perseus severed the serpent-headed Medusa, turning her into a trophy.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on wbur.org

Why did Medusa get punished by Athena?

She was lovely, according to the poem—until she was raped in Athena's temple by Poseidon. Athena then punished her for this violation, by turning her into the monstrous, stony-glanced creature that we know.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on prospectmagazine.co.uk

What was the story with Poseidon and Medusa?

When Medusa had an affair with the sea god Poseidon, Athena punished her. She turned Medusa into a hideous hag, making her hair into writhing snakes and her skin was turned a greenish hue. Anyone who locked gaze with Medusa was turned into stone. The hero Perseus was sent on a quest to kill Medusa.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on thoughtco.com

Why was Athena mad about Medusa and Poseidon?

When Medusa refused, Poseidon pinned her against Athena's altar and had his way with her anyway. Athena was enraged that a rape took place in her temple, but she couldn't punish Poseidon for it. In her fit of anger, she carried out her revenge on Medusa, cursing her.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on greecetravelideas.com

Medusa and Poseidon: The Curse of Athena - Greek Mythology - See U in History

42 related questions found

Why don t Athena and Poseidon like each other?

Athena and Poseidon entered into a contest to be the patron of Athens. Poseidon produces a spring of water but it was salty. Athena bested Poseidon by producing an olive tree on the Acropolis. Poseidon also raped Medusa—a mortal who had the reputation of being beautiful—in Athena's temple, desecrating it.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on homework.study.com

Were Medusa and Poseidon lovers?

Medusa and Poseidon engaged in a love affair and would have two children together, but not before Athena discovered the illicit affair. When Athena discovered the affair, she was enraged and immediately cursed Medusa by taking away her beauty.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on theoi.com

Did Poseidon actually assault Medusa?

In Ovid, Poseidon rapes Medusa in Athena's temple. In McMullan, Poseidon lures her there under false pretences with the end goal of making romantic advances. In both, Medusa is an innocent victim, and in both Athena is unconcerned with Medusa's lack of complicity and punishes her, not Poseidon.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on fass.open.ac.uk

Was Medusa pregnant by Poseidon?

Eventually, Medusa was beheaded whilst pregnant (carrying Poseidon's offspring, Pegasus and Chrysaor) by Perseus, who took her head and continued to use it as a weapon, turning enemies who looked upon it to stone — until he eventually returned the head to Athena, and went on to marry the princess Andromeda, who just so ...

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on blogs.ed.ac.uk

How did Poseidon get Medusa pregnant?

So, when Poseidon raped Medusa she became pregnant. When her head was chopped off by Perseus, her children came to be. Pegasus and Chrysaor sprung from the severed neck of Medusa. Pegasus is also one of the most famous characters in Greek mythology, the winged white horse.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on thecollector.com

Why did Athena get jealous of Medusa?

In fact, Athena was jealous of Medusa's beauty and lustrous hair. Poseidon ravaged her and took what she held dearly, her purity. Athena, outraged by this incident, cursed Medusa and turned her wonderful hair into venomous snakes, her beautiful face turned so ugly that any man who gazed upon would turn to stone.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on wraxth.com

Why was Medusa jealous of Athena?

What caught his attention most were the gorgeous, golden locks of hair Medusa had. Because Poseidon took such a liking to Medusa, he charmed her and swayed her off her feet. The two were caught having a love affair in Athena's temple. Once Athena found out about this affair, her jealousy raged and she became furious!

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on stmuscholars.org

Is Medusa a victim or villain?

Medusa was raped by Poseidon, but instead of being defended by her patron goddess, Athena, she was punished for being raped. This makes Medusa a victim.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on parlia.com

What is the true story of Medusa?

The snake-haired Medusa does not become widespread until the first century B.C. The Roman author Ovid describes the mortal Medusa as a beautiful maiden seduced by Poseidon in a temple of Athena. Such a sacrilege attracted the goddess' wrath, and she punished Medusa by turning her hair to snakes.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on metmuseum.org

What is the sad story of Medusa?

Medusa was a beautiful woman who was raped, killed and beheaded by various gods. However even in the face of tragedy and disgrace, the Medusa was portrayed as meaningful. Following the moment her head was removed, a Pegasus flew out of her body, representing the birth of beauty.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on vanderbilt.edu

Did Poseidon and Medusa have a child?

Medusa was the only Gorgon who was mortal; hence her slayer, Perseus, was able to kill her by cutting off her head. From the blood that spurted from her neck sprang Chrysaor and Pegasus, her two sons by Poseidon.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on britannica.com

Did Medusa sleep with Poseidon willingly?

In the origin as a Greek myth, Medusa is yet another simple monster, and was not raped by Poseidon, but willingly had an affair, and her becoming a gorgon was punishment for choosing to do this, defiling the Athenian temple by having sex in a blessed place, and defying her chastity vows.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on a-little-insight.com

Why did Poseidon abuse Medusa?

There was a problem though; Medusa had taken an oath of chastity in order to serve the virgin goddess Athena in her temple. Instead of taking no for an answer, Poseidon brutally attacked and raped Medusa inside of Athena's temple. Athena heard about this and was upset about the situation.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on thewhitonline.com

Who was Medusa pregnant with?

Since Medusa was the only one of the three Gorgons who was mortal, Perseus was able to slay her; he did so while looking at the reflection from the mirrored shield he received from Athena. During that time, Medusa was pregnant by Poseidon.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on en.wikipedia.org

Did Poseidon cheat on Athena with Medusa?

Medusa and Poseidon engaged in a love affair and would have two children together, but not before Athena discovered the illicit affair.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on outdoor-learning.org

What does Medusa tattoo mean?

Medusa is portrayed in most tattoo art as a “symbol used to protect and defend against dangerous elements” and “to ward off evil with one evil image after another. But for others, her reptilian skin and hair may also symbolize the cycle of life.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on cnctattoo.com

Why did Athena and Poseidon fight?

Back when ancient Athens was not named Athens, the gods Athena and Poseidon fought for the right to make the city theirs.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on thecollector.com

Who was Poseidon's true love?

His consort was Amphitrite, a nymph and ancient sea-goddess, daughter of Nereus and Doris. In one account, attributed to Eratosthenes, Poseidon wished to wed Amphitrite, but she fled from him and hid with Atlas.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on en.wikipedia.org

How many girlfriends did Poseidon have?

Some estimates put the count at well over a hundred, with the lovers being mostly but not exclusively female. In some cases, ancient authorities differ, so the exact lineage and relationships remain open to debate.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on thoughtco.com

How many wives did Poseidon have?

Although Poseidon had a large host of lovers and many children by these women, he only had one official wife: Amphitrite, one of the Nereids. Poseidon and his wife had several offspring, including the well-known sea creature Triton.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on homework.study.com