They're not intended to be submitted as your own work, so we don't waste time removing every error. Not to mention the ancient languages spoken by peoples such as the Guanche of the Canary Islands, or the Afri near Carthage who gave their name to the entire continent. Hades players can get Perseus as a hero in the Mythic age. Its partly the doing of Arab invaders in the mediaeval period; partly the doing of 20th century French colonial strategy in Morocco and Algeria, casting Berber and Arab as non-overlapping categories so as to divide and conquer to foster strong Berber support for the French presence (Moore 1974: 384; see also, in much greater detail, Rouighi 2019a, esp. [11], Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics (vii.5) refers to the lore of some beastly lifeform in the shape of a woman, which tears the bellies of pregnant mothers and devours their fetuses. 5 One of mythologys most terrible monsters may have originally been a goddess. Like many monsters, the Gorgons lived in a cave at the far edge of the world. The Greek word "gorgon" means "horror". Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Herodotus, Histories 4. 2. Many historians believe that it represents a time when the Minoan culture of Crete dominated the new Mycenaean Greeks. Once upon a time, in the ancient world, Medusa was little more than a terrifying monster. The example essays in Kibin's library were written by real students for real classes. When ancient Greek writers say Libya, they dont mean the modern country. [73], Christian writers also warned against the seductive potential of lamiae. No books written in ancient Berber languages have survived to the present day (though we do have a bit over a thousand inscriptions). Will also delete on comment score of -1 or less. According to some historians, it may have been because Medusa herself was once a goddess. They saw parallels between the punishment and isolation the Gorgon faced for her own assault and the way women are so often maligned for the mistreatment they endure. Her hair forms long curls that, according to Mattel, foretell the serpents that will become her hair. Some historians also see parallels to religious practices in these features. [89], Some commentators have also equated Lamia with Hecate. Contains spam, fake content or potential malware. The story is not one of a single monster being killed, but of an enemy culture and its religion being destroyed and replaced by the Greeks and the gods of Mount Olympus. The sisters Sthenno and Euryale were immortal but the third, Medusa, was mortal. WebMedusa was originally a Libyan Goddess, worshiped by The Amazons as their Serpent-Goddess. Beheading her was a metaphor for destroying the masks that were central to her cult. In previous centuries, Lamia was used in Greece as a bogeyman to frighten children into obedience, similar to the way parents in Spain, Portugal and Latin America used the Coco. Source: Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology. 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. (Yes, Ive seen this claimed.). Medusa heads were traditionally carved as coral cameos for an extremely powerful protective amulet. For this reason. ", "Raised by Wolves: Mother's Real Name Has TERRIFYING Implications", "10 Lamia, Slain by Eurybatus and Others", "The Sweepings of Lamia: Transformations of the Myths of Lilith and Lamia", "Magic and Vampirism in Philostratus' Life of Apollonius of Tyana and Bram Stoker's Dracula", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lamia&oldid=1138177380, Articles with Latin-language sources (la), Articles containing Ancient Greek (to 1453)-language text, Articles with unsourced statements from August 2007, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 8 February 2023, at 12:19. If Medusa is African at all, shes going to be Berber. So don't look at that illustration. [63] According to a scholiast to Ovid, it had a serpent's body carrying a human face. A slightly different version of this origin is that they were. She may also be accessed as a living goddess by those seeking menstrual, serpentine mysteries. 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. By Sarah Crocker / Aug. 24, 2021 12:30 am EST. [21][d] This was later incorporated into Edward Topsell's 17th-century envisioning of the lamia. Over time, as the snake hair grows larger, the human parts will eventually shrivel up and die, leaving only the snake heads attached to a snake body. Medusa heads are a recurring enemy in the games, with the gold variant able to inflict a. Medusas appear as mooks in many of the games, particularly the earlier ones. The TImeoroi were perhaps Naiad-nymphs of the fresh-water springs of the region. WebPerseus, in Greek mythology, the slayer of the Gorgon Medusa and the rescuer of Andromeda from a sea monster. The double-entendre sarcasm was uttered by Demetrius's father, among others. (Apollon. It purports to give a full account of the capture of "Lamia of Corinth" by Apollonius, as the general populace referred to the legend. 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. The most popular is that of a hideous monster; in fact, the petrification originally was caused by Medusa's ugliness itself, before other myths retconned it into being a power based in her eyes. 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. [p][11] Isidore of Seville defined them as beings that snatched babies and ripped them apart. Heres a run-down of where ancient sources placed the Gorgons. . (See further Lloyd 1994: 367369.). In the earliest stories, Lamia was a beautiful queen of Ancient Libya who had an affair with Zeus. [45] Philostratus's tale was reworked by Keats in his poem Lamia,[83] where it is made clear she bears the guise of a snake, which she wants to relinquish in return for human appearance. Clash of the Titans (1981) (mentioned below) featured her as one of the monsters and it has been said that modern generations owe their knowledge of Medusa to the film. She was imported into Greece as one of the Gorgons, daughter of Phorcus and his sister Ceto. Classic Medusa, in contrast, is an Oedipal/libidinous symptom. Looking at forbidden mother (in her hair-covered genitals, so to speak) stiffens the subject in illicit desire and freezes him in terror of the Father's retribution. There are no recorded instances of Medusa turning a woman to stone. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. [2.1] KEPHALION, NASAMON (by Amphithemis) (Apollonius Rhodius 4.1493, Hyginus Fab 14), TRITONIS (Tritnis). She was doing nothing wrong, living on an island and defending herself after being cursed by the gods, but even then still got killed by some do-gooder hero with a hard on for rulership. Uncover new sources by reviewing other students' references and bibliographies, Inspire new perspectives and arguments (or counterarguments) to address in your own essay. [63], One of the doubles of Lamia of Libya is the Lamia-Sybaris, which is described only as a giant beast by Antoninus Liberalis (2nd century). One theory puts forward the idea that Medusa is representative of a pre-Greek goddess of the region. She is a goddess of menstrual power and hence female power. They were in the service of Hera, giving Perseus a connection to both of these deities. To protect Perseus from this danger, the gods gave him special items to help him on his quest to kill the monster. The Makhlyes wear their hair long behind, the Auseans in front. [e][29] Lamia was in some versions thus seen as swallowing children alive, and there may have existed some nurse's tale that told of a boy extracted alive out of a Lamia. It's nice to know that you have read my article. Sometimes, however, she is portrayed as a living woman. Early descriptions of Medusa illustrated that she always had a monstrous appearance (like the other Gorgons) with snakes for hair, large teeth, wings, and claws. Another double of the Libyan Lamia may be Lamia, daughter of Poseidon. [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. [80][81] Scylla is a creature depicted variously as anguipedal or serpent-bodied. A German folk belief, documented as late as the eighteenth century, suggests that if a menstruating womans hair is buried in Earth, it will become a snake. The first daughter accidentally killed the second in a mock battle. [68][69][o] The idea that these creatures were lamiai seems to originate with Alex Scobie (1977),[71] and accepted by other commentators. The views on medusa goddess in mythology. I have been in love with all things related to Mythology. In this story she is a powerful monster whom Perseus defeats by decapitating her (and later using her head to petrify enemies) without looking at her he sticks to looking at her shadow or looking through a mirrored shield, depending on the version. In some versions, her hair-snakes are venomous. A lack of evidence doesn't automatically confirm your standpoint especially when talking about the past. Hamilton, H.C.; Falconer, W. 6 (trans. She went against her vow and married him. More recently she has appeared as a stop-motion monster (Clash of the Titans, 1981); a woman embittered in old age (Percy Jackson, 2005); an adorable floating head (Hades, 2020). She resides in the Petrified Temple in the middle of a petrified forest on Lesbos. And that is why we have the Atlas Mountains in Morocco and Algeria. [1.2] ATHENE, PALLAS (by Triton) (reconstructed from Apollodorus 3.144) "The Views on Medusa Goddess in Mythology." It was assumed, among other godlike attributes, as a royal aegis to imply divine birth or protection, by rulers of the Hellenistic age, as shown, for instance, on the Alexander Mosaic and the Gonzaga Cameo. Priests and priestesses would wear images of their deities or monsters from their myths to take on the spirit of the deity. Another myth suggests that Athena possessed more than Medusas head: she flayed Medusa and wore her skin. Medusa teaches us to know and love ourselves outside of the expectations of patriarchal society. But once Apollonius reveals her false identity at the wedding, the illusion fails her and vanishes. Please confirm you want to block this member. When she's defeated, Medusa herself is turned to stone. She also resembles Polyphe the Okeanis mother of Athena by Poseidon, and the goddess Amphitrite. [16], Lamia was the daughter born between King Belus of Egypt and Lybie, according to one source. Even the name Berber is generally thought to be an imposition from the Latin language either directly, from Latin barbarus, or indirectly, via mediaeval Arabic . Aldrich) (Greek mythographer C2nd A.D.) : Apollonius Rhodius, Argonautica 4. Send your order with a custom message. One interpretation of the Medusa myth, therefore, is that she represents the priestesses of an unknown pre-Greek goddess. Jones) (Greek travelogue C2nd A.D.) : Pseudo-Hyginus, Fabulae 14 (trans. Medusa embodies menstruations protective powers. 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 to view the complete essay. Whats the historical low-down? And perhaps you may remember from your youth; the primary antagonist of the 1997 animated film The Rescuers, was a greedy pawnshop owner, known as Madame Medusa. 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. In addition, the Medusa Nebula within the constellation of Gemini features snakelike filaments of glowing gas. Because she is a reminder to be unapologetically ourselves and fierce in the face [14][15], Diodorus's rationalization was that the Libyan queen in her drunken state was as if she could not see, allowing her citizens free rein for any conduct without supervision, giving rise to the folk myth that she places her eyes in a vessel. Thanks for the comment and the Quora link. "The Libyans have a saying that the Goddess [Athena] is the daughter of Poseidon and Lake Tritonis, and for this reason has blue eyes like Poseidon. Maidens who die of their wounds are called false virgins. 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. In some versions, we'll never know if it was consensual. The ancient Greco-Roman imagination gradually shifted the Gorgons home, from an island in the Atlantic, eastwards to the African mainland: perhaps in Morocco, perhaps at the Strait of Gibraltar. Short answer: no. Long answer:Medusa is part of Greek mythology which has existed longer than the current misinformation of her being an African Go Both sexes resemble the scaly humanoid from 3rd edition, though with less haggish features. Lamia receives a section in Georgios Megas and Helen Colaclides, "The Odes: Just where do you draw the line? You can't really say you are "reviving" her worship, rather I think it would be more appropriate to say that you are creating her cultus. [103] The contemporary Greek proverb, " " ("the Lamia's sweeping"), epitomises slovenliness;[103] and the common expression, " ' " ("the child has been strangled by the Lamia"), explains the sudden death of young children. Theoi Project Copyright 2000 - 2017 Aaron J. Atsma, Netherlands & New Zealand, (Apollonius Rhodius 4.1493, Hyginus Fab 14). Some believed that Africa became the home to many varieties of snakes as Medusa wandered the continent and shed them from her hair. Not only is Medusa identified with Libya, she also had dealings with the three Graeae who had the removable eye shared between them. IF IT'S PERSONAL GNOSIS, THERE IS NO REVIVAL. There is an ancient metaphysical belief that menstrual blood is the single [14][27], Numerous sources attest to the Lamia being a "child-devourer", one of them being Horace. She was imported into Greece as one of the Gorgons, daughter of Phorcus and his sister Ceto. Having male medusae with different powers has been done by the game before, as stated above, but this is the first time the concept made it into a core book. Pursuing her, he raped her there. except it's just Tamagotchi School's nurse Mrs. Houtaiko rather than Medusatchi, A deleted subplot would have had Athena and Apollo conspiring to help Perseus behind the other gods' backs; presumably having Athena be the one who cursed her would have put her in. Northern Africa with modern names and borders (top), and with ancient Greek names (bottom). [8], Diodorus Siculus (fl. And sometimes she has also become an afrocentrist symbol. Medusa was one of the most iconic monsters of Greek mythology, but could her story also be one of a goddess? In Libya, Medusa was worshiped as a serpent-goddess that represented female : Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca 3. 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 Other details appear in different sources: Medusa was originally a beautiful woman who was transformed; she remained beautiful (but deadly) after her transformation; she was a rape victim, and cursed by Athena; her head was set on the shield of Athena; and so on. If you don't object I'll delete it from the article and just preserve it here in this comment. The intercourse of men and women there is promiscuous; they do not cohabit but have intercourse like cattle. 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]. In the story of the birth of the Libyan Athena, Triton--a Libyan sea-god sometimes identified with Poseidon--and Tritonis were the parents of two daughters named Athena and Pallas. WebAlso known as the Libyan Goddess Neith. She is not a goddess, however her frightening visage was often used as a symbol of Athena's apotropaic abilities. A more sustainable option that doesn't include our Goddess box, pouch, or booklet to reduce packaging waste. Fabulae 14 ( trans Perseus as a symbol of Athena 's apotropaic abilities Medusa heads were traditionally as!, daughter of Phorcus and his sister Ceto not only is Medusa with! Of Egypt and Lybie, according to one source means `` horror.. A beautiful queen of ancient Libya who had the removable eye shared between.! Lived in a mock battle: Just where do you draw the line is African all. The Lamia be Lamia, daughter of Poseidon claimed. ) article title an. 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