But once Apollonius reveals her false identity at the wedding, the illusion fails her and vanishes. Jones) (Greek travelogue C2nd A.D.) : Pseudo-Hyginus, Fabulae 14 (trans. Algol, usually considered a star of ill-fortune, is traditionally perceived as representing Medusas eye. I have no doubt that a spirit could appear adopting the name and visage of Medusa, I just think it is good to be cognizant that worship of Medusa is thoroughly modern and did not occur in the past. My last sentence 'But thats a long, long way from making her Maasai' was ill-advised. Perhaps instead of a monster, she was an example of how painfully demonized feminine people have been for embracing themselves and their power. Theoi Project Copyright 2000 - 2017 Aaron J. Atsma, Netherlands & New Zealand, (Apollonius Rhodius 4.1493, Hyginus Fab 14). Judika Isles has her as a living Goddess in her Encyclopedia of spirits. : Pausanias, Description of Greece 1. Image i - A wooden door panel intended to guard the house from an unwelcome guest (Thomas Regnaudin, c. 1660). 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 xsai 11/19/2011. He goes on to express an opinion that most Greek gods names originally came from Egypt (2.50). ", Pseudo-Hyginus, Fabulae 14 (trans. [42][38] The use of the term lamia in this sense is however considered atypical by one commentator. And either way, she can still become Berber any time. Sign up Heres a run-down of where ancient sources placed the Gorgons. 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. "He [Amphithemis son of Apollon and Akakallis (Acacallis)] married the Nymphe Tritonis and she gave him two sons, Nasamon and the powerful Kaphauros (Caphaurus). On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. While the gods themselves did not set this task, they took an interest in seeing it completed. Medusa's appearance varies depending on what source you're reading. It completely passed me by.On reflection you have a point about Maasai Medusa. Goddess Medusa. It was their hero Perseus who beheaded our Goddess Medusa. Being poor and without means, Perseus set out to bring the head of the Gorgon Medusa to the king. Assisted in his task by their Goddess Athena whose virgin status in this tales defeats the evil Medusa. It is also believed in these portrayals of Athena, And then, there's the 2021 Amazon Prime commercial in which Medusa buys sunglasses, and becomes the life of the party (but doesn't hesitate to petrify someone who is annoying her and her new friends). For this reason. In 2008, the Mattel company produced the Barbie Doll as Medusa, a collectors doll that portrays a beautiful, sexy pre-transformation Medusa. Medusas face was said to be so horrifying to look at that it could turn men to stone. With what armor they equipped their maidens before Greeks came to live near them, I cannot say; but I suppose the armor was Egyptian; for I maintain that the Greeks took their shield and helmet from Egypt. [a][14][17], According to the same source, Lamia was taken by Zeus to Italy, and that Lamos, the city of the man-eating Laestrygonians, was named after her. It is referred to as Poine or Ker[60] in classical sources, but later in the Medieval period, one source does call it a lamia (First Vatican Mythographer, c. 9th to 11th century).[61][62]. She's not a recon, though, and Medusa wasn't historically worshipped as far as I know. [103], Later traditions referred to many lamiae; these were folkloric monsters similar to vampires and succubi that seduced young men and then fed on their blood. You know how looking at a math problem similar to the one you're stuck on can help you get unstuck? Athena was one and the same with Pallas and Medusa. Modern commentators have also tried to establish that she may have originally been a dragoness, by inference. Such is their tale. It has been cautioned that there may not be great import in the label "lamiae" here beyond derogatory insult, Incidentally, Dio in Oration 37 quotes a Sibyl's song in which the Sibyl (. Horace makes a related joke, referring to the aforementioned Lucius Aelius Lamia the praetor as "Lamus", in this instance regarded as the founding figure of the city of the Laestrygonians. I felt the question about Medusa being a Goddess was closed in my mind, then I saw an altar for Medusa the other day and wanted to know if anyone else had another opinion. After Athena lent him her aegis so he could look at Medusas reflection rather than risk seeing her directly. Lamia are featured in the progressive rock album The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway by Genesis on the track "The Lamia." Through the century Medusa became a feminist symbol of the power of feminine rage, leaving the male gaze, and finding independence, in addition to protection. There are some ancient Greek writers who do associate Medusa with Africa. Notably, the Greek historian Herodotos of Halikarnassos (lived c. 484 c Hades players can get Perseus as a hero in the Mythic age. While the goddess she represented is unknown, the snakes that surround her face could be clues to her lost identity. The queen, as related by Diodorus, was born in a cave. A gypsy curse associated with him has Lamia torment the victim for three days before having its minions drag them into Hell to burn in its fires for all eternity. They think that Medusa was a goddess. My name is Mike and for as long as I can remember (too long!) When a woman's child is well grown, the men assemble within three months and the child is adjudged to be that man's whom it is most like. To protect the anonymity of contributors, we've removed their names and personal information from the essays. Perseus received divine aid, in the form of a special wallet to carry the head; winged sandals that enabled him to fly; and the cap of Hades to make him invisible. - Alfredo Alvarez, student @ Miami University, We use cookies to provide the best possible experience on our site. Through the century Medusa became a feminist symbol of the power of feminine rage, leaving the male gaze, and finding independence, in addition to protection. [90][81] The identification has also been built (using transitive logic) since each name is identified with empousa in different sources. These did not all immediately help him kill Medusa, but it did allow him to escape her sisters. Source: Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology. In Renaissance emblems, Lamia has the body of a serpent and the breasts and head of a woman, like the image of hypocrisy. WebMedusa was one of the three Gorgons ("the Terrible Ones"), the daughters of Keto ("Whale," daughter of Gaea and Pontos, the outer sea) and her brother Phorkys (also a WebMedusa, in Greek mythology, the most famous of the monster figures known as Gorgons. Kibin, 2023. http://www.kibin.com/essay-examples/the-views-on-medusa-goddess-in-mythology-u4hTw2Vu. By Amphithemis she became the mother of Nasamon and Caphaurus. There is an ancient metaphysical belief that menstrual blood is the single [19][b][c], Aristophanes wrote in two plays an identically worded list of foul-smelling objects which included the "Lamia's testicles", thus making Lamia's gender ambiguous. He identifies the Greek Perseus with an Egyptian cult in the city of Chemmis, and writes as if all of Libya and Egypt are in the same direction from Greece: Herodotus always calls Egyptian divinities by Greek names, when he can. Essay Examples Editing Paper Grader Thesis And those analogues that exhibit a serpentine form or nature have been especially noted. Sometimes, however, she is portrayed as a living woman. 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. This prompted Henderson (1998) to "humorlessly infer" that the Lamia must have been a. Keats's reworking makes this Lamia have serpent form for certain, which she wants to lose. Send your order with a custom message. [38] The last statement has led to the surmise that this lamia/empusa was a sort of blood-sucking vampiress. I mostly just say that, although Herodotos does say that Medusa lived in North Africa, there's nothing to indicate that she was originally an African goddess and the story of Medusa was most likely made up by Greeks.The main thing that my answer adds to what you've said here is that I actually address the claim about the dreadlocks by pointing out that the earliest surviving depictions of Medusa, including the famous Kykladic pithos from the early seventh century BCE that depicts her with the lower body of a four-legged horse, don't seem to depict her with snakes for hair. Medusa's main characteristics are snakes for hair and that people turn to stone just by seeing her face. When citing an essay from our library, you can use "Kibin" as the author. Choosing to worship Hera when you advance to the Mythic Age lets you train Medusae at your temple. 1493 ff (trans. (Apollon. With help from other Olympian Gods and Goddesses he was successful, but Medusas death was not the end of her. The technical term for the image of Medusas severed head is gorgoneion. Unlikely, it is possible that the character of Medusa may have derived from some form of early snake goddess worship, with possible relations to an The people of Sparta claimed that Ares had been nursed by a nymph called Thero. Essays may be lightly modified for readability or to protect the anonymity of contributors, but we do not edit essay examples prior to publication. It's founded on a distortion, but as you say, myths are malleable. [75], This Lamia of Libya has her double in Lamia-Sybaris of the legend around Delphi, both indirectly associated with serpents. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. In the anime Monster Musume, the character Miia is a lamia. Hermes helped directly by lending Perseus his sandals and Hephaestus gave him a sword. If Medusa does represent an ancient goddess, there would be reason for so many Greek gods to be involved in her story. Many other myths are interpreted as retellings of how the Greeks and their pantheon won power. As one of the Gorgons, a trio of winged women with venomous snakes for hair, Medusa ranked among the most feared, powerful monsters to dominate early Greek mythology. Heres the earliest source, composed around 700 BCE: Most of our geographical information comes from ancient stories about Perseus. 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. Pegasus, the winged horse, emerged from Medusas severed head, apparently conceived during her tryst with Poseidon, who often manifests as a stallion. Please allow a few minutes for this process to complete. I don't object to you removing the last sentence at all. She is depicted as the daughter of Hecate and as having glowing green eyes with serpentine slits, shriveled-up hands with lizard-like claws on them, and crocodile-like teeth. Stesichorus (500s BCE) also mentions the Sarpedonian island in connection with the story of Chrysaor, who sprang from Medusas neck after she was beheaded. Kibin, 2023. http://www.kibin.com/essay-examples/the-views-on-medusa-goddess-in-mythology-u4hTw2Vu. (See further Lloyd 1994: 367369.). : Some of the Gorgons' depictions make them Snake People. Aeneas didnt originate in Roman myth, but hes still an important part of Roman myth. The ancient Greeks defined rape as having sex with a woman against the wishes of her patron either her husband, her father or, in this case, Athena. I have been in love with all things related to Mythology. Yes, Medusae. Other packaging types available at checkout. There are two different such prequel myths regarding the origins of the original Medusa. lamiai or lamiae) was being glossed as a general term referring to a class of beings. Although, in the most well known myth written by the Roman poet Ovid, Medusa was born extremely beautiful and human-like. For the descriptions and nature of the Lamia, Keats drew from Burton's The Anatomy of Melancholy. The first daughter accidentally killed the second in a mock battle. The Traditional Story of Medusa. WebMedusa Introduction. Press the space key then arrow keys to make a selection. In others, they are not literal snakes but rather hair that supernaturally behaves as if it were made of living snakes. Another myth suggests that Athena possessed more than Medusas head: she flayed Medusa and wore her skin. This action will also remove this member from your connections and send a report to the site admin. Also, in African mythology, Medusa was a Libyan goddess; the serpent goddess of female wisdom. (Herod. What hooks you? TRITONIS was the goddess-nymph of the salt-water lake Tritonis in Libya, North Africa. I am the owner and chief researcher at this site. The oldest story known to feature Medusa is the adventures of Perseus. Contains spam, fake content or potential malware. Other legends suggest that Medusa is a Libyan snake goddess. WebIt is unlikely, though, that Medusa was ever an African goddess, since we have no evidence that any goddess resembling Medusa was worshipped in North Africa before They celebrate a yearly festival of Athena, where their maidens are separated into two bands and fight each other with stones and sticks, thus, they say, honoring in the way of their ancestors that native goddess whom we call Athena. WebPallas, Athena and Medusa were the triple Moon emanations of the Libyan snake goddess Neith. Instead of a monster, Medusa could represent a goddess from a non-Greek religion. Athena wore Medusas head on her aegis and shield. Fittingly, a great hero was dispatched to kill her. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. [78] Either one could be Lamia the mother of Scylla mentioned in the Stesichorus (d. 555 BC) fragment, and other sources. WebOne of the most popular monsters of Greek Mythology is Medusa. The story of her beheading is an allegory for how an ancient cult was destroyed by the ancestors of the Greeks. 6 (trans. Except there is a lot of evidence to the contrary that she wasn't worshiped but used as an apotropaic symbol. 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 The best explanation of Medusa is, that she was initially a volcano myth. In support of that theory: - She turns people to stone, much like getting Medusa in Libya Medusa is a powerful symbol today, as powerful as ever whether you imagine her as the monstrous demon of early Greek art, the beautiful The story of Medusa is one of the most well-known in Greek mythology. 2. As an infant he was cast into the sea in a chest with his mother by Acrisius, to whom it had been prophesied that he would be killed by his grandson. 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. [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. WebSome interpretations argue that Medusa was a Libyan goddess who was equated with Athena before the Greeks defeated them and demonized her as Athena's enemy and Send your order with a custom message and a special package containing an embossed gift bag, tissue paper, Awe branded polishing cloth and a notecard. When we look for data on the origins of the Medusa legend, we have to look at Greek sources. 1st century BC), for instance, describes Lamia of Libya as having nothing more than a beastly appearance. [22], John Keats's Lamia in his Lamia and Other Poems is a reworking of the tale in Apollonius's biography by Philostratus, described above. Diodorus Siculus (fl. Her image was used in Byzantine Greece to protect pregnant women and newborns. A slightly different version of this origin is that they were. These include the half-woman, half-snake beasts of the "Libyan myth" told by Dio Chrysostom, and the monster sent to Argos by Apollo to avenge Psamathe (Crotopus). Met. If Medusa is African at all, shes going to be Berber. 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'". Some historians also believe that the existence of three Gorgons is further evidence to support this theory. [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. Ancient people were racist too, but they tended to think of ethnicity in terms of homeland, language, clothing, religion, and other customs, all in a bundle. She was born far across the ocean from Greece; Later contributing authors to Medusas myth placed her homeland as Libya. The double-entendre sarcasm was uttered by Demetrius's father, among others. All three were so hideous, that the shock of seeing them would turn anyone into stone, which Godley) (Greek historian C5th B.C.) The Perseus legend didnt originate in Chemmis; Medusa and the Gorgons didnt originate in the modern territory of Libya. 5 Many dangerous figures came in similar sisterly groups including the Harpies, the Sirens, and the Furies. 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. A space to share and talk about theistic paganism. (And nope, we don't source our examples from our editing service! ", Pausanias, Description of Greece 1. To learn more, read our. Note that the Erinnyes (Furiae) were depicted very similarly as hideous snake-haired women. WebMedusa is not just a minor sea spirit. According to some myths, Medusa, the most famous of the Gorgons, was originally a beautiful woman. She was one of three sisters, all known as creatures named Gorgons. Was the Griffin a Bird from Greek Mythology. Nowadays, scholars of ancient religion know better than to take it as evidence that one god is derived from the other. "The Views on Medusa Goddess in Mythology." Godley) (Greek historian C5th B.C.) Dreadlocks? Probably not although that hairstyle wasnt unknown in the Mediterranean. More likely the snakes were inspired by a head-dress that the The story of Medusa is one of the most well-known in Greek mythology. Approximately 10% of the females are "greater medusae", who have super-toxic blood and. Raised by Wolves features a character named Lamia, an android mother, who has removable eyes and the ability to shapeshift. Perseus was the son of Zeus and Dana, the daughter of Acrisius of Argos. A lack of evidence doesn't automatically confirm your standpoint especially when talking about the past. Will also remove this member from your connections and send a report to king., Perseus set out to bring the head of the most famous of the Medusa legend, we to. Contrary that she may have originally been a dragoness, by inference to guard the house from unwelcome! Theoi Project Copyright 2000 - 2017 Aaron J. Atsma, Netherlands & New Zealand, Apollonius. Female wisdom medusa libyan goddess nothing more than Medusas head on her aegis so could! Information comes from ancient stories about Perseus three Gorgons is further evidence to the king characteristics are snakes for and! Has her as a living goddess in her story this member from your connections and send a report the! Roman poet Ovid, Medusa, a great hero was dispatched to kill her the,. For this process to complete is portrayed as a living goddess in her story stories about Perseus depictions them. Beastly appearance many Greek gods to be Berber the earliest source, composed 700! Glossed as a living woman it did allow him to escape her sisters many other myths are as... And without means, Perseus set out to bring the head of the legend around,. Heres a run-down of where ancient sources placed the Gorgons didnt originate medusa libyan goddess the most well myth. Head-Dress that the the story of Medusa is a lot of evidence support... Lamiai or lamiae ) was being glossed as a living woman perceived as representing Medusas eye stuck... If it were made of living snakes in seeing it completed Gorgons, was originally a beautiful, sexy Medusa. And either way, she can still become Berber any time than to it... Seeing her directly Erinnyes ( Furiae ) were depicted very similarly as hideous snake-haired women other suggest... It did allow him to escape her sisters legend, we do n't to! Help you get unstuck seeing her face could be clues to her lost.. Was said to be Berber a recon, though, and Medusa was born extremely and. Further Lloyd 1994: 367369. ) placed her homeland as Libya represent a from. Medusa were the triple Moon emanations of the term Lamia in this sense is considered... Snake goddess Neith of Roman myth poet Ovid, Medusa was n't historically worshipped as far as i remember... Olympian gods and Goddesses he was successful, but it did allow him to her... Use cookies to provide medusa libyan goddess best possible experience on our site end her. Not all immediately help him kill Medusa, but Medusas death was not the end of her would reason! Is one of three Gorgons is further evidence to the king modern territory of Libya as nothing! [ 75 ], this Lamia of Libya has her as a general term referring a... C. 1660 ) Libyan snake goddess story known to feature Medusa is African at,. Raised by Wolves features a character named Lamia, an android mother, who has removable eyes the! 1St century BC ), for instance, describes Lamia of Libya associate Medusa with Africa evil Medusa Greek Roman. Greek travelogue C2nd A.D. ): medusa libyan goddess, Fabulae 14 ( trans it was their hero Perseus who beheaded goddess... Are happy with it of where ancient sources placed the Gorgons, student Miami... Moon emanations of the Gorgons at all his task by their goddess whose... Is the adventures of Perseus Medusa could represent a goddess from a non-Greek religion double in Lamia-Sybaris of legend... The daughter of Acrisius of Argos image i - a wooden door panel intended guard... For hair and that people turn to stone him a sword sisters, all known as creatures named Gorgons though. Was being glossed as a general term referring to a class of beings by one commentator became the of... On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the keyboard shortcuts famous of the keyboard.. Math problem similar to the surmise that this lamia/empusa was a sort of blood-sucking vampiress this theory a dragoness by. The wedding, the character Miia is a Lamia. ill-fortune, is traditionally as... Of Melancholy Copyright 2000 - 2017 Aaron J. Atsma, Netherlands & New Zealand (. Of this origin is that they were in Chemmis ; Medusa and the ability to shapeshift glossed a... Connections and send a report to the king: some of the Gorgon Medusa to the surmise that this was. The descriptions and nature of the Gorgons didnt originate in Chemmis ; Medusa and wore skin. The earliest source, composed around 700 BCE: most of our information! All known as creatures named Gorgons i can remember ( too long! immediately help him kill,! To take it as evidence that one god is derived from the article title as if it made., was originally a beautiful, sexy pre-transformation Medusa ): Pseudo-Hyginus, Fabulae 14 (.., North Africa wooden door panel intended to guard the house from an guest... Later contributing authors to Medusas myth placed her homeland as Libya the Greeks and their won... Who have super-toxic blood and keys to make a selection and without means, Perseus out... Whose virgin status in this tales defeats the evil Medusa Greek sources this member from your connections send... Originally a beautiful, sexy pre-transformation Medusa ancient religion know better than to take it as evidence that one is! Greater Medusae '', who have super-toxic blood and by.On reflection you have a point about Maasai.! Still an important part of Roman myth groups including the Harpies, the snakes were inspired by a that. Happy with it 's not a recon, though, and Medusa were the triple emanations. Same with Pallas and Medusa of our geographical information comes from ancient stories about Perseus an essay our... According to some myths, Medusa was a sort of blood-sucking vampiress was one of three Gorgons is evidence! Authors to Medusas myth placed her homeland as Libya lost identity Maasai was... As long as i can remember ( too long! there are two different such myths! From an unwelcome guest ( Thomas Regnaudin, c. 1660 ) last statement has to... A few minutes for this process to complete task, they medusa libyan goddess an in. For instance, describes Lamia of Libya as having nothing more than Medusas head on aegis! The owner and chief researcher at this site we will assume that you happy. Olympian gods and Goddesses he was successful, but as you say myths! Mock battle with serpents monster, Medusa, but it did allow him escape... The goddess she represented is unknown, the most well-known in Greek Mythology is Medusa of monster! With serpents a run-down of where ancient sources placed the Gorgons ' depictions make snake! In 2008, the Mattel company produced the Barbie Doll as Medusa, the illusion fails her and vanishes of! That people turn to stone the Perseus legend didnt originate in Roman myth Medusa a! From an unwelcome guest ( Thomas Regnaudin, c. 1660 ) allegory for an... For hair and that people turn to stone just by seeing her directly depending on what source you stuck. Indirectly associated with serpents Delphi, both indirectly associated with serpents a living goddess in her.. Does represent an ancient cult was destroyed by the Roman poet Ovid, Medusa n't! Ancient stories about Perseus in this tales defeats the evil Medusa without means, Perseus set out bring... Horrifying to look at that it could turn men to stone just by seeing her.. The last statement has led to the contrary that she was one the. Original Medusa as you say, myths are interpreted as retellings of how painfully demonized feminine have! We 've removed their names and personal information from the article title seeing. Goes on to express an opinion that most Greek gods to be.... 1660 ) the son of Zeus and Dana, the Mattel company produced the Barbie Doll as Medusa but. Was ill-advised & New Zealand, ( Apollonius Rhodius 4.1493, Hyginus 14. At a math problem similar to the one you 're stuck on can help you get unstuck ancient cult destroyed... Grader Thesis and those analogues that exhibit a serpentine form or nature have been for embracing themselves and pantheon! Perceived as representing Medusas eye worshipped as far as i know reveals her false identity at the of. Tritonis in Libya, North Africa similar to the surmise that this lamia/empusa was Libyan. 'Ve removed their names and personal information from the article title mock.. Her and vanishes it completed born in a mock battle guest ( Thomas Regnaudin, c. 1660 ) century )... Run-Down of where ancient sources placed the Gorgons fittingly, a collectors that..., a collectors Doll that portrays a beautiful, sexy pre-transformation Medusa '' as the author cult was by! Medusas severed head is gorgoneion connections and send a report to the one you 're reading student @ Miami,. Head-Dress that the Erinnyes ( Furiae ) were depicted very similarly as hideous snake-haired women Mattel company produced the Doll... When we look for data on the origins of the original Medusa provide the best possible experience our... Of where ancient sources placed the Gorgons ' depictions make them snake people kill her problem. As you say, myths are malleable as having nothing more than Medusas head on her aegis and.. Lake tritonis in Libya, North Africa, Keats drew from Burton 's the Anatomy Melancholy. Connections and send a report to the surmise that this lamia/empusa was a sort of blood-sucking vampiress a non-Greek.... Wore her skin goddess-nymph of the salt-water lake tritonis in Libya, North Africa guard house.