Medusa heads were traditionally carved as coral cameos for an extremely powerful protective amulet. Godley) (Greek historian C5th B.C.) This framework slots all European and African people into either black or white pigeonholes. [14] A different authority remarks that Lamia was once queen of the Laestrygonians. The other two sisters appear extremely rarely, but are sometimes included alongside Medusa when she's a singular character. And then there are some that offer a compromise and state that she was both beautiful and terrible at the same time. 1493 ff (trans. Athena was sent to a foundry in North Africa to be raised by a Cyclops. There are two different such prequel myths regarding the origins of the original Medusa. As for Athena, they say that she was daughter of Poseidon and Lake Tritonis, and that, being for some reason angry at her father, she gave herself to Zeus, who made her his own daughter. "They say that after Athene's birth, she was reared by Triton [and presumably Tritonis], who had a daughter named Pallas. If this is the case, Medusa would not be the only figure for whom this is true. [19][b][c], Aristophanes wrote in two plays an identically worded list of foul-smelling objects which included the "Lamia's testicles", thus making Lamia's gender ambiguous. xsai 11/19/2011. [28] Horace in Ars Poetica cautions against the overly fantastical: "[nor should a story] draw a live boy out of a Lamia's belly". [103], Later traditions referred to many lamiae; these were folkloric monsters similar to vampires and succubi that seduced young men and then fed on their blood. 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. By Sarah Crocker / Aug. 24, 2021 12:30 am EST. 180.) Godley) (Greek historian C5th B.C.) edd., Strabo. FEBRUARY MYSTERY BOX, GET IT BEFORE IT'S GONE ON MARCH 1ST, LAST CHANCE | BUY THE FEBRUARY MYSTERY BOX, Discover your goddess | Take the quiz & get 10% off, Most recognizable for her locks of snakes, Medusa was the daughter of ancient chthonic deities of the sea. Since this is a trope about a mythological creature, see the trope description above for the most common versions of the mythology. [39] An apparition (phasma [40][g]) which in the assumed guise of a woman seduced one of Apollonius's young pupils. The sisters The people of Sparta claimed that Ares had been nursed by a nymph called Thero. Lamia (/lemi/; Greek: ), in ancient Greek mythology, was a child-eating monster and, in later tradition, was regarded as a type of night-haunting spirit (daemon). Kibin does not guarantee the accuracy, timeliness, or completeness of the essays in the library; essay content should not be construed as advice. One of mythologys most terrible monsters may have originally been a goddess. In both versions, Athena, pissed that her priestess not only broke her vows but did the nasty in her temple, punished her by turning her into her new hideous form and banished her to a desolate island until Perseus slew her. She was one of three sisters, all known as creatures named Gorgons. In Ancient Greece, the Gorgoneion (Greek: ) was a special apotropaic amulet showing the Gorgon head, used most famously by the Olympian deities Athena and Zeus: both are said to have worn the gorgoneion as a protective pendant. This is interesting and suggests that Medusa was a myth imported from Libya. WebIn Greek mythology, Poseidon was the god of the sea, floods, droughts, earthquakes and horses. [84][85] Daniel Ogden argues that one of her possible reincarnations, the monster of Argos killed by Coroebus had a "scaly gait", indicating she must have had an anguipedal form in an early version of the story,[86] although the Latin text in Statius merely reads inlabi (declension of labor) meaning "slides". [i][47][48] The same joke was used in theatrical Greek comedy,[49] and generally. 133163; 2019b). Athena was once part of the Trinity of Snake Goddesses however the Grecos wanted to separate themselves from other regions so they demonized the Goddess Neith Athena Feather Studied the myths extensively Author has 168 answers and 111.6K answer views 2 y Im not sure what answer you want. Through the century Medusa became a feminist symbol of the power of feminine rage, leaving the male gaze, and finding independence, in addition to protection. In Greek: " , ", Cupid refers to Psyche's sisters as Lamiae, Apul. Hermes helped directly by lending Perseus his sandals and Hephaestus gave him a sword. Essays may be lightly modified for readability or to protect the anonymity of contributors, but we do not edit essay examples prior to publication. [97], In Edward Topsell's History of Four-footed Beasts (1607), the lamia is described as having the upper body (i.e., the face and breasts) of a woman, but with goatlike hind quarters with large and filthy "stones" (testicles) that smell like sea-calves, on authority of Aristophanes. Medusas face was said to be so horrifying to look at that it could turn men to stone. She is a goddess of menstrual power and hence female power. [63] According to a scholiast to Ovid, it had a serpent's body carrying a human face. Its entirely up to Berber people to decide whether Medusa is African today. Her face is a Gorgons mask, but her body is that of a woman dressed and girded for battle. Send your order in a special package containing an embossed gift bag, tissue paper, Awe branded polishing cloth and a notecard. If Medusa is African at all, shes going to be Berber. The essays in our library are intended to serve as content examples to inspire you as you write your own essay. Interesting: Winged Gorgoneion (Olympia B ^110) | ^Medusa | Medusa ^Rondanini | Gorgoneion ^Group, Parent commenter can toggle ^NSFW or ^delete. The monster in the heroic story could symbolize a pre-Greek religion. It completely passed me by.On reflection you have a point about Maasai Medusa. All three were so hideous, that the shock of seeing them would turn anyone into stone, which New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. [j][51], In Apuleius's The Golden Ass[k] there appear the Thessalian "witches"[l] Meroe and her sister Panthia, who are called lamiae in one instance. She was imported into Greece as one of the Gorgons, daughter of Phorcus and his sister Ceto. [73] Pope Gregory I (d. 604)'s exegesis on the Book of Job explains that the lamia represented either heresy or hypocrisy. But it does seem to me that it isnt Berber people who want to claim Medusa. [64], In Pausanias's version, the monster is called Poin (), meaning "punishment" or "vengeance", but there is nothing about a snake on her forehead. It is covered with scales all over. Other packaging types available at checkout. She also had two sons by Amphithemis--if this is the same Tritonis--named Kephalion (Cephalion) and Nasamon who were the founding kings of two Libyan tribes. Both girls cultivated the military life, which once led them into contentious dispute. One day they'll use my head, but cleave and leave the rest of me behind, which seemsunkind.". [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). WebOne of the most popular monsters of Greek Mythology is Medusa. Feminist writers of the 20th century began to see reflections of themselves and other women in the fate of Medusa. ((lacuna)) They were slain in Libya by the shepherd Cephalion, brother of Nasamon, son of the Nymph Tritonis and Amphithemis, whsoe flocks they were plundering.. Because she is a reminder to be unapologetically ourselves and fierce in the face [58], Some commentators, despite the absence of actual blood-sucking, find these witches to share "vampiric" qualities of the lamiae (lamiai) in Philostratus's narrative, thus offering it up for comparison.[59]. Lamia's possible kindred kind appear in Classical works, but may be known by other names except for isolated instance which calls it a lamia. . 180 (trans. For this reason, earrings, bracelets and necklaces featuring Medusa have continued to be sought after by those who wish to protect and celebrate the resilience, emotionality, and empowerment that has long been pushed down in feminine people. [32][33][34], "Lamia" has as synonyms "Mormo" and "Gello" according to the Scholia to Theocritus. If you don't object I'll delete it from the article and just preserve it here in this comment. By Amphithemis she became the mother of Nasamon and Caphaurus. The ancient Greek origin is that she and her fellow Gorgons were simply created/born that way. It's nice to know that you have read my article. My name is Mike and for as long as I can remember (too long!) 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. Poseidon, especially attracted to her voluptuous hair, assaulted her in the temple of Athena. (Apollon. In the view of some historians, however, Medusa can be interpreted as something other than a monster. Alternatively she desired Medusas power. Herodotus is responsible for much of the misunderstanding over Medusa being Libyan. [4], In the myth, the Lamia was originally a beautiful woman beloved of Zeus, but Zeus's jealous wife Hera robbed her of her children, either by kidnapping and hiding them away, killing them, or causing Lamia herself to kill her own offspring. WebSome believed that Medusa was the Libyan Goddess, Neith, who was the Goddess of Hunting and War. WebThe Libyan Berber Goddess Tannit (Neith) Tannit or Neith is originally a Berber Libyan Goddess venerated by the Berbers of North Africa from immemorial times. Medusa teaches us to know and love ourselves outside of the expectations of patriarchal society. 1495.). Here are some ways our essay examples library can help you with your assignment: Read our Academic Honor Code for more information on how to use (and how not to use) our library. Lamia has been ascribed serpentine qualities, which some commentators believe can be firmly traced to mythology from antiquity; they have found analogues in ancient texts that could be designated as lamiai (or lamiae) which are part-serpent beings. She is a goddess of menstrual power and hence female power. Modern euphemisms for menstruation including calling it a womans friend or the curse, but an evocative, old-fashioned one describes a menstruating woman as bitten by the snake. In Libya, Medusa was worshiped as a serpent-goddess that represented female He also received the winged sandals of Hermes, a sword made by Hephaestus, and the invisibility helm of Hades. Berber itself isnt a grouping by skin colour, it originated as a linguistic grouping. Algol, usually considered a star of ill-fortune, is traditionally perceived as representing Medusas eye. 144 (trans. Dreadlocks? Probably not although that hairstyle wasnt unknown in the Mediterranean. More likely the snakes were inspired by a head-dress that the In the movie, Lamia is described as "the most feared of all Demons" and having the head and hooves of a goat. Percy also confronts the forgotten other son Chrysaor, embittered at being ignored in legend, who honors his heritage as a son of her and Poseidon by becoming a fearsome pirate. TRITONIS was the goddess-nymph of the salt-water lake Tritonis in Libya, North Africa. WebAlso known as the Libyan Goddess Neith. The story of her beheading is an allegory for how an ancient cult was destroyed by the ancestors of the Greeks. French Polynesia, Guadeloupe, Libya, Martinique, New Caledonia, Reunion, Russian Federation, Singapore, Ukraine, Her image was used in Byzantine Greece to protect pregnant women and newborns. Medusas normally have entirely human bodies, snake hair aside, but medusas who mate with powerful humanoids give birth to brazen medusas, who have the lower bodies of giant, bronze-scaled snakes. Later depictions (although still fairly ancient ones, in the absolute sense) gradually toned down the more monstrous aspects and made her more attractive. Although the lower body of Draper's Lamia is human, he alludes to her serpentine history by draping a shed snakeskin about her waist. She doesn't appear that often in media made before the 80s. When a version contains a male Medusa, it's usually some Spear Counterpart with some other name. Her features are common of Greek monsters. It purports to give a full account of the capture of "Lamia of Corinth" by Apollonius, as the general populace referred to the legend. Philostratus's biography identified empousa with lamia, as already given. In some versions, we'll never know if it was consensual. What Were the Hamadryads in Greek Mythology? (See further Lloyd 1994: 367369.). He goes on to express an opinion that most Greek gods names originally came from Egypt (2.50). (2023). Kibin. [93], Lamia may originate from the Mesopotamian demoness Lamashtu. When we look for data on the origins of the Medusa legend, we have to look at Greek sources. [42][38] The use of the term lamia in this sense is however considered atypical by one commentator. Not only is Medusa identified with Libya, she also had dealings with the three Graeae who had the removable eye shared between them. Moon (many, including Orpheus disciples, have seen Medusas face in the moon). The image of her severed head remains a powerful protective amulet. [45][h] The empousa admits in the end to fattening up her victim (Menippus of Lycia) to be consumed, as she was in the habit of targeting young men for food "because their blood was fresh and pure". Lamia are featured in the progressive rock album The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway by Genesis on the track "The Lamia." : Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca 3. 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