While Medusa is known to be one of the most famous monsters in Greek mythology, there is relatively little that is recorded of her existence before she was beheaded by Perseus. Because she had allowed herself to be defiled in Athena’s temple, Athena transformed her into the most hideous of all the Gorgons and made her features so terrible to behold that she could instantly turn a man into stone if he were to gaze at her directly. Eventually, Medusa was known to have been transformed into a beast that would be feared by all because she was considered responsible for the desecration of Athena’s temple. However, her time as a beautiful maiden was not to last forever. The story of Medusa and her sister’s transformation into the dreaded Gorgons is both tragic and insightful. However, unlike her other sisters (Sthenno and Euryale), Medusa was a mortal and therefore vulnerable to the perils of the human world. She was born on an island named Sarpedon – which is thought to be somewhere in the general area of Cisthene – and was known to have been one of the Gorgon sisters. Medusa was the daughter of Phorcys and Ceto (though some sources claim Gorgon is her father). Whatever you do, keep your eyes down – or accept your fate as the newest décor in this lonely sculpture garden. Though her voice may be sweet and her skin fair as the snow, Medusa carries the weight of Athena’s wrath. Should you see the form of a fair maiden in the shadows and hear the hiss of a snake, beware! If you should look into the eyes of the young maiden that is now just a few steps away, you will cease to exist as flesh and blood. On the isle of Sarpedon, watch where you wander – if you aren’t careful you may find yourself in a garden of stone figures.
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