What was Medusa head used for?

Medusa was beheaded by the Greek hero Perseus, who then used her head, which retained its ability to turn onlookers to stone, as a weapon until he gave it to the goddess Athena to place on her shield.

What compelled Perseus kill Medusa?

He received a mirrored shield from Athena, gold, winged sandals from Hermes, a sword from Hephaestus and Hades’ helm of invisibility. Since Medusa was the only one of the three Gorgons who was mortal, Perseus was able to slay her while looking at the reflection from the mirrored shield he received from Athena.

What does Medusa head symbolize?

The most common interpretation of Medusa suggests she is an apotropaic symbol used to protect from and ward off the negative, much like the modern evil eye. She represents a dangerous threat meant to deter other dangerous threats, an image of evil to repel evil.

What did Perseus fear?

PERSEUS was one of the most celebrated heroes of Greek mythology. He was the son of the Argive princess Danae who was locked away in a bronze chamber by her father Akrisios (Acrisius) who lived in fear of a prophecy that he would one day be killed by her son.

What does Athene promise to Perseus when he returns with Medusa’s head?

Athene tells Perseus that Medusa was once “a maiden” until “in her pride she sinned.” What mainly does Athene promise to Perseus when he returns with Medusa’s head? Athene promises Perseus “a place among the heroes..” How mainly does Perseus communicate concerns about his journey?

What does Perseus symbolize?

His courage, strength, and intelligence was also the reason that Perseus saved Andromeda from the Cetus and returned home with her, slaying both Phineus and Polydectes with the head of Medusa by turning them into stone. The story of Perseus and Medusa is a story of perseverance, bravery, and dignity.

What did Perseus do with Medusa’s head?

Because the gaze of Medusa turned all who looked at her to stone, Perseus guided himself by her reflection in a shield given him by Athena and beheaded Medusa as she slept. He turned the sea monster to stone by showing it Medusa’s head and afterward married Andromeda.

Why is Perseus important to Greek culture?

Perseus is a major hero from Greek mythology best known for his clever decapitation of Medusa, the monster who turned all who looked at her face into stone. He also rescued Andromeda from the sea monster. Like most of the mythological heroes, the genealogy of Perseus makes him the son of a god and a mortal.