Gorgon

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This article is about the Greek mythological monster. For other uses, see Gorgon
(disambiguation).

A Gorgon head on the outside of each of the Vix-krater's three handles, from the grave of the Celtic
Lady of Vix, 510 BC

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A Gorgon (/ˈɡɔːrɡən/; plural: Gorgons, Ancient Greek:

Γοργών/Γοργώ Gorgṓn/Gorgṓ) is a creature in Greek mythology. Gorgons occur
in the earliest examples of Greek literature. While descriptions of Gorgons vary,
the term most commonly refers to three sisters who are described as having hair
made of living, venomous snakes and horrifying visages that turned those who
beheld them to stone. Traditionally, two of the Gorgons, Stheno and Euryale,
were immortal, but their sister Medusa was not[1] and was slain by the demigod
and hero Perseus.

Contents

 1Etymology
 2Depictions
 3Origins
 4Classical tradition
 5Perseus and Medusa
 6Protective and healing powers
 7Cultural depictions of Gorgons
 8Genealogy
 9See also
 10Notes
 11References
 12External links

Etymology[edit]
The name derives from the Ancient Greek word gorgós (γοργός), which means
'grim or dreadful', and appears to come from the same root as the Sanskrit
word garjana (गर्जन), which means a guttural sound, similar to the growling of a
beast,[2] thus possibly originating as an onomatopoeia.

Depictions[edit]
Gorgons were a popular image in Greek mythology, appearing in the earliest of
written records of Ancient Greek religious beliefs such as those of Homer, which
may date to as early as 1194–1184 BC. Because of their legendary and powerful
gaze that could turn one to stone, images of the Gorgons were put upon objects
and buildings for protection. An image of a Gorgon holds the primary location at
the pediment of the temple at Corfu, which is the oldest stone pediment in
Greece, and is dated to c. 600 BC.
A marble statue 1.35 m high of a Gorgon, dating from the 6th century BC, was
found almost intact in 1993, in an ancient public building in Parikia, Paros capital,
Greece (Archaeological Museum of Paros no. 1285, see pictures below). It is
thought to have originally belonged to a temple.