The Gorgons In Greek Mythology

We are all aware of the well known Gorgon of Greek Mythology that goes by the name Medusa. She is the most mentioned in our media to this very day. However Medusa was not the only Gorgon that there was in Greek Mythology. There were actually three of them, sisters. Besides Medusa there are Stheno, Euryale. All three of them were children of the deities known as Phorcys and Ceto.

Stheno was the eldest of the Gorgon sisters, born in the caverns beneath Mount Olympus. She was one of the immortal sisters out of the three. Out of all three Stheno was known to be the most independent. Apparently she killed the most even if you combine the amount of killings that both of her sisters did.

She ended up being a Gorgon because she stood with her sister, Medusa, when she was cursed by the Goddess Athena. She is depicted as being thin with Red snakes around her head in place of hair.

This is the second oldest of the three sisters. Both Euryale and her sister Stheno could not turn people into stone by their gaze like their sister Medusa was able to. Euryale is another gorgon who's considered to be immortal and is known for her loud bellowing cries.

We all know who Medusa is for she is the most known out of the three Gorgons. Medusa was cursed by Athena because Poseidon had raped her in the temple of Athena. However she was not made at the God Poseidon but rather at Medusa instead. For after all, Poseidon is a male and that is to be expected. Medusa was a beautiful woman, like both of her sisters until Athena cursed her, turning into a horrific monster with snake like hair, sharp fangs and brass hands.

Medusa is the only one of the sisters who's considered to be mortal. It is said in Greek Mythology that she was killed by the hero known by the name Perseus, who had been sent by King Polydectes, to get her head and bring it back to him. He was able to do so by using a shield that the Goddess Athena had given him that was a mirrored shield. He killed her while she was looking at her reflection.

After reading this I hope that you are able to realize that Medusa was not the only Gorgon nor did she act alone. Her sisters were there too and her oldest sister Stheno was actually the worst out of the three. Not Medusa.

Greek Mythology is very interesting, wondering and intriguing.