Graiae:The sisters of the Gorgons, the Graiae were the exact opposite of them. They were not evil, they each shared one eye and their main function was to protect the realm from their sisters, the Gorgons, lead by Medusa.
- They play an important role in the death of Medusa, Perseus needs to find out where the nymphs of the north live and only they know the directions to them. So Perseus tricked them into stealing their one eye and threatening them to give directions to kill their sister Medusa.
All About Medusa
- Medus was born with two sisters Stheno and Euryale. Their parents were Sea Titans Poreys and Ceto.
- Medusa and her two sisters previously worked for the Goddess of Wisdom, Athena, as priestesses.
- Poseidon thought Medusa was really beautiful so he had relations with her inside of Athena's temple.
- Medusa was later killed by Perseus who used his mirror shield to reflect and have Medusa look at herself which turned her into stone.
- Other names she was known by included the Libyan Queen and Serpent Goddess of Wisdom.
- She was called the Libyan Queen because Gorgons were believed to be located in Libya and not the Underworld.
- It was believed Poseidon was so attracted to Medusa because he was the God Of the Sea and Medusa's parents were sea monsters so it could've been a natural instinct.
- The beheading of Medusa was actually a dare that was put against Perseus from his father in law. There was a king in a neighboring land who was supposed to receive wedding gifts from each nobleman in Perseus's land.
- Medusa was impregnated by Poseidon when they were in Athena's temple. Right after Perseus beheaded Medusa her two children came out. Pegasus and Chrysaor, which Perseus chose to ignore and flee.
- Perseus decided to give Medusa's head to Athena to thank her for her help. She used it as a shield on her breast plate. Other myths believed that Athena also used the skin of Medusa as a cloak.
Physical Characteristics
Gorgons usually had these following characteristics.
- Whole body completely covered by scales.
- Hair is completely made up of snakes.
- Hands were made of brass.
- Sharp fangs and a beard were also commonly described with Gorgons.
- Their teeth were described ask bore tusks
Other theories of how Medusa and her sisters were turned into Gorgons include.
- Medusa stating that she was more beautiful than Athena.
- Medusa stating that she had better hair than Athena.
