Medus The Legend Of Myths And Culture In Greek History

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Greek history is full of myths and legends, stories of Gods, Goddess, heros, villains, and everything in between. These stories have been told over and over again and through time the versions have changed. Not only has time taken a toll on these stories but also the culture that these stories are

introduced into. One of the more famous stories is the one of Medusa. The terrible Gorgan that turns people into stone with just one look at her face. There are many versions of her story but they all end the same way, in her death. Not only did her story influence the art in Ancient Greece but it still influences the art today.

According to GreekMythology.com Medusa was originally a beautiful golden- haired girl who worked in Athena’s temple. Medusa made vows to the Goddess Athena, she would be devoted to Athena and live a life of celibacy but that all changed when the God Poseidon met Medusa, he wooed her and they ended up getting married. Infuriated that Medusa broke her vows she punished her by changing her wavy hair into venomous snakes, her gentle eyes being turned into blood-shot ones that would “excite” fear and disgust to anyone that would stare into them, and her skin which was once pale and fair turned into a greenish tinge. As time went on Medusa would be shunned because of her looks turning people into stone. Another version comes from theoi.com, where
Back in Ancient Greece Medusa’s story was used to teach others what could happen when one angered the Gods. Not only that but she was also a sort of boogeyman for children to behave. The artwork that came from this story was to teach and entertain others. Now the story of Medusa is more of a pulp culture than a legend. We see her appear in literature, movies, and even fashion. Part of this trend is the fascination with Greek Mythology and the other part is that we as a culture like to recreate Medusa in as many ways as

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