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Greek Mythology > Immortals > The Gorgon

The Gorgons   GOR guns

• The Gorgons
• Perseus
• The Aegis of Zeus
• The Gorgons in The Iliad (reference)
• The Gorgons in The Odyssey (reference)
• How to Cite this Page

The Gorgons

The Gorgons are three sisters, daughters of ancient, pre-titan gods, Phorkys and Keto (Ceto). The sisters Sthenno and Euryale were immortal but the third, Medusa, was mortal. All three were so hideous, the shock of seeing them would turn anyone to stone. Medusa is called The Gorgon or simply, Gorgon.

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Perseus

When Perseus (a son of Zeus) killed Medusa by cutting off her head (Theogony, line 280), from the drops of her blood sprang the winged horse, Pegasus, and Khrysaor (Chrysaor). In The Shield of Herakles, by Hesiod, we are given a glimpse of Perseus’ reckless escape from the angry sisters after he had beheaded Medusa. He was wearing winged sandals and the Helm of Hades but the Gorgons were at his heels, the serpents on their heads and at their waists were snapping at Perseus as he sped away (Sword 220).

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The Aegis of Zeus

Athene (Athena) carried the shield called the Aegis of Zeus at Troy. The gigantic head of Gorgon, a thing of fear and horror, was the centerpiece of a series of warcraft icons: Terror, Hatred and Onslaught (Iliad, book 5, line 741).

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The Gorgons in The Iliad (listed by book and line)

• 05.741 ...Athene (Athena) carried the aegis of Zeus with the face of the grim Gorgon on the front
• 08.348 ...When Hektor (Hector) fought the Danaans at the ditch which protected the ships, he had the eyes of a Gorgon or of murderous Ares
• 11.036 ...Agamemnon’s shield had the blank-eyed face of the Gorgon upon it

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The Gorgons in The Odyssey (listed by book and line)

• 11.635 ...Odysseus feels genuine fear before he finally leaves the Underworld; he fears that Persephone will send the head of the Gorgon from the house of Hades to attack him

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