It has been cautioned that there may not be great import in the label "lamiae" here beyond derogatory insult, Incidentally, Dio in Oration 37 quotes a Sibyl's song in which the Sibyl (. In the earliest stories, Lamia was a beautiful queen of Ancient Libya who had an affair with Zeus. Godley) (Greek historian C5th B.C.) Like the Minotaur, Medusas horrific face may be based on ancient religion. Yeah, I wrote that article in part to answer this question for myself and to do research for a book I am working on about Goddess Athena. ", Pseudo-Hyginus, Fabulae 14 (trans. Some modern astrologers suggest that this star is associated with female power and the reemergence of the feminine divine. Empusa is equated with Hecate in a fragment of Aristophanes's lost play, Keats made a note to this effect at the end of the first page in the fair copy he made: see William E. Harrold, "Keats' 'Lamia' and Peacock's 'Rhododaphne'". Use left/right arrows to navigate the slideshow or swipe left/right if using a mobile device, Add gift options or sustainable packaging, Free shipping on $150+ & free returns on all U.S. orders. "The Views on Medusa Goddess in Mythology." 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. Medusa (Metis) was the destroyer aspect of the Great Triple Goddess also called Neith, Anath, Athene or Ath-enna in North Africa and Athana in 1400 c. BC Minoan Crete. Free shipping for many products! 1st century BC) gave a de-mythologized account of Lamia as a queen of Libya who ordered her soldiers to snatch children from their mothers and kill them, and When citing an essay from our library, you can use "Kibin" as the author. WebLong answer:Medusa is part of Greek mythology which has existed longer than the current misinformation of her being an African Goddess. Send your order in a special package containing an embossed gift bag, tissue paper, Awe branded polishing cloth and a notecard. Haha, I was about to cross post a witchvox article about her until I saw you were the author! And either way, she can still become Berber any time. The queen, as related by Diodorus, was born in a cave. Over time, as the snake hair grows larger, the human parts will eventually shrivel up and die, leaving only the snake heads attached to a snake body. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Choosing to worship Hera when you advance to the Mythic Age lets you train Medusae at your temple. She is a goddess of menstrual power and hence female power. In southern Asia, theres an ancient belief that menstruation indicates possession by snake spirits. Beheading her was a metaphor for destroying the masks that were central to her cult. Uncover new sources by reviewing other students' references and bibliographies, Inspire new perspectives and arguments (or counterarguments) to address in your own essay. There is an ancient metaphysical belief that menstrual blood is the single [citation needed]. Because she is a reminder to be unapologetically ourselves and fierce in the face The sisters Sthenno and Euryale were immortal but the third, Medusa, was mortal. But it does seem to me that it isnt Berber people who want to claim Medusa. [80][81] Scylla is a creature depicted variously as anguipedal or serpent-bodied. We'll take a look right away. Perseus had foolishly promised that he would provide the Gorgons head as a gift, and Polydectes, king of Seriphos, held him to his word. When Medusa is used in fiction as a unique being rather than as a species, she is typically given either one of these two origins, or no origin at all. In the anime Monster Musume, the character Miia is a lamia. Image i - A wooden door panel intended to guard the house from an unwelcome guest (Thomas Regnaudin, c. 1660). WebMedusa is not just a minor sea spirit. Because they were immortal, Perseus had to flee from them instead of fight. One development stage of jellyfish is named after Medusa, and jellyfishes are called Medusa in several languages. Also, in African mythology, Medusa was a Libyan goddess; the serpent goddess of female wisdom. Thats clear from his description of the ethnic mix at Siwa (2.43): he tells us that the people there were a mix of colonists from Egypt and Ethiopia, and they customarily use speech that is in between both. He was well aware of ethnic differences between Siwa and the Nile valley, but interpreted them in terms that were familiar to him. She may also be accessed as a living goddess by those seeking menstrual, serpentine mysteries. Other gods played an indirect role in the heros victory. Cute Monster Girl variety. My last sentence 'But thats a long, long way from making her Maasai' was ill-advised. 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. There is an ancient metaphysical belief that menstrual blood is the single most spiritually and magically powerful substance on Earth. Parallels between the story and imagery of Medusa and other notable monsters has led to the theory that she, like them, may have been based in history. [19], Other bogeys have been listed in conjunction with "Lamia", for instance, the Gorgo, the eyeless giant Ephialtes, a Mormolyce named by Strabo. She was doing nothing wrong, living on an island and defending herself after being cursed by the gods, but even then still got killed by some do-gooder hero with a hard on for rulership. I don't object to you removing the last sentence at all. Essays may be lightly modified for readability or to protect the anonymity of contributors, but we do not edit essay examples prior to publication. [94], Renaissance writer Angelo Poliziano wrote Lamia (1492), a philosophical work whose title is a disparaging reference to his opponents who dabble in philosophy without competence. The Gorgons collectively could indicate that this unknown goddess was part of a triple goddess cult. . Met. A more sustainable option that doesn't include our Goddess box, pouch, or booklet to reduce packaging waste. Ancient sources do indeed put Medusa in or near northern Africa. Of the three sisters only Medousa was mortal. Libya is a very misunderstood name. The names are the clearest indication that the story has Greek origins. The double-entendre sarcasm was uttered by Demetrius's father, among others. For the Basque lamia, see. Will also delete on comment score of -1 or less. Other details appear in different sources: Medusa was originally a beautiful woman who was transformed; she remained beautiful (but deadly) after her transformation; she was a rape victim, and cursed by Athena; her head was set on the shield of Athena; and so on. Hades players can get Perseus as a hero in the Mythic age. Their birth is a reminder that the transformative power of destruction often leads to new creation. He did so with the help of many of the pantheons powerful gods. [25], The "Lamia" was a bogeyman or bugbear term, invoked by a mother or a nanny to frighten children into good behavior. 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. Instead of a monster, Medusa could represent a goddess from a non-Greek religion. Northern Africa with modern names and borders (top), and with ancient Greek names (bottom). If you don't object I'll delete it from the article and just preserve it here in this comment. Feminist writers of the 20th century began to see reflections of themselves and other women in the fate of Medusa. Medusa Medusa was a Libyan Goddess who was worshiped by The Amazons. The story was re-enacted by the Makhlyes and Ausean tribes in an annual festival. Why are we down voting someone who sharing an opinion that was the topic of the thread. And, of course, as a son of Zeus Perseus was directly connected to the king of the gods. [11], Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics (vii.5) refers to the lore of some beastly lifeform in the shape of a woman, which tears the bellies of pregnant mothers and devours their fetuses. [1.1] ATHENE (by Poseidon) (Herodotus 4.180, Pausanias 1.14.6) A Roman-era mythographic text describes the Gorgons as follows: Perseus escaped from the other two Gorgons using the cap of Hades. I cant read Tamazight or Arabic, so Im not ideally placed to say what the prevailing mood is. To protect the anonymity of contributors, we've removed their names and personal information from the essays. The Gorgons were in the far west. After When a woman's child is well grown, the men assemble within three months and the child is adjudged to be that man's whom it is most like. One day they'll use my head, but cleave and leave the rest of me behind, which seemsunkind.". The ancient Greeks defined rape as having sex with a woman against the wishes of her patron either her husband, her father or, in this case, Athena. "), "The Views on Medusa Goddess in Mythology." And, incidentally, Gorgon snake hair in Morocco certainly isnt derived from Maasai dreadlocks in Kenya. 1495.). 6 (trans. [22], It is somewhat uncertain if this refers to the one Lamia[23] or to "a Lamia" among many, as given in some translations of the two plays;[24] a generic lamia is also supported by the definition as some sort of a "wild beast" in the Suda. On his way back to Greece he paused in the Maghreb and turned the Titan Atlas to stone. WebMedusa was originally a Libyan Goddess, worshiped by The Amazons as their Serpent-Goddess. "He [Amphithemis son of Apollon and Akakallis (Acacallis)] married the Nymphe Tritonis and she gave him two sons, Nasamon and the powerful Kaphauros (Caphaurus). Athenas participation in the destruction of Medusa may be interpreted as the goddess destroying her own past. [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. 180 (trans. Coral, anything serpentine, menstrual blood stained pads or garments. They think that Medusa was a goddess. I mostly just say that, although Herodotos does say that Medusa lived in North Africa, there's nothing to indicate that she was originally an African goddess and the story of Medusa was most likely made up by Greeks.The main thing that my answer adds to what you've said here is that I actually address the claim about the dreadlocks by pointing out that the earliest surviving depictions of Medusa, including the famous Kykladic pithos from the early seventh century BCE that depicts her with the lower body of a four-legged horse, don't seem to depict her with snakes for hair. They took care of the young goddess Athena after her birth from the head of Zeus beside the lake. In others, they are not literal snakes but rather hair that supernaturally behaves as if it were made of living snakes. She doesn't appear that often in media made before the 80s. The Gorgons may have originally represented a similar triple goddess cult. 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. Although later details, such as her origins as a beautiful The image of her severed head remains a powerful protective amulet. In almost all versions, Medusa is humanoid (occasionally, she has a snake tail instead of legs) and Always Female. Although the lower body of Draper's Lamia is human, he alludes to her serpentine history by draping a shed snakeskin about her waist. Aristotle says there is a shark called "lamia". This framework slots all European and African people into either black or white pigeonholes. Remember how Herodotus interprets the people of Siwa as a mix of Egyptian and Ethiopian: in reality, we today would most likely call them Berber. WebOne of the most popular monsters of Greek Mythology is Medusa. Herodotus, Histories 4. She may have had consensual or even sacred sex with him in Athenas temple, or she may have fled to the temple to get away from him. Yes, Medusae. But that doesnt mean there arent any. The woman's decision is entirely inconsequential. (See further Lloyd 1994: 367369.). "They say that after Athene's birth, she was reared by Triton [and presumably Tritonis], who had a daughter named Pallas. Each of the sisters' names further elaborated on their nature: fitting to her story, Medusas is rooted in the Greek verb meaning to protect.. A complete bibliography of the translations quoted on this page. Sent by a king, Perseus went on a mission to slay Medusa and bring back her head. The people of Sparta claimed that Ares had been nursed by a nymph called Thero. Medusa may manifest as the beautiful goddess she was prior to her transformation or in her classic monster form with contorted face and snake locks. Diodorus Siculus (fl. Other myths say that Medusa retained her mortal beauty, as a cruel Irony. Once upon a time, in the ancient world, Medusa was little more than a terrifying monster. In addition, the Medusa Nebula within the constellation of Gemini features snakelike filaments of glowing gas. Poseidon, especially attracted to her voluptuous hair, assaulted her in the temple of Athena. [68][69][o] The idea that these creatures were lamiai seems to originate with Alex Scobie (1977),[71] and accepted by other commentators. The Perseus legend didnt originate in Chemmis; Medusa and the Gorgons didnt originate in the modern territory of Libya. A space to share and talk about theistic paganism. noteAll bets are off, though, if she is of the Gorgeous Gorgon resp. iv. In his 9th-century treatise on divorce, Hincmar, archbishop of Reims, listed lamiae among the supernatural dangers that threatened marriages, and identified them with geniciales feminae,[74] female reproductive spirits. The 1982 novel Lamia by Tristan Travis sees the mythological monster relocated to 1970s Chicago, where she takes bloody vengeance on sex offenders while the cops try to figure out the mystery. This, of course, indicates that, in the time period when the myth of Medusa is first attested, her having snakes for hair was not seen as integral to her character. xsai 11/19/2011. Whats the historical low-down? (Apollon. Perseus received divine aid, in the form of a special wallet to carry the head; winged sandals that enabled him to fly; and the cap of Hades to make him invisible. Moon (many, including Orpheus disciples, have seen Medusas face in the moon). A glance at a map, and a review of the other ancient sources on Medusa, makes the situation totally clear. Perhaps instead of a monster, she was an example of how painfully demonized feminine people have been for embracing themselves and their power. Dreadlocks? Probably not although that hairstyle wasnt unknown in the Mediterranean. More likely the snakes were inspired by a head-dress that the Because she is a reminder to be unapologetically ourselves and fierce in the face of oppression, Medusa is a perfect talisman for manifesting and honoring our inner bad bitch. Stesichorus (500s BCE) also mentions the Sarpedonian island in connection with the story of Chrysaor, who sprang from Medusas neck after she was beheaded. Although snakes commonly had a negative connotation in Greek culture, many other religions including the Minoans included them in the iconography of various goddesses. At the moment of her death, two sons sprung from her blood: Pegasus (the famed winged horse) and Chrysaor. Medusa's appearance varies depending on what source you're reading. It's founded on a distortion, but as you say, myths are malleable. In this story she is a powerful monster whom Perseus defeats by decapitating her (and later using her head to petrify enemies) without looking at her he sticks to looking at her shadow or looking through a mirrored shield, depending on the version. - Alfredo Alvarez, student @ Miami University, We use cookies to provide the best possible experience on our site. These include the half-woman, half-snake beasts of the "Libyan myth" told by Dio Chrysostom, and the monster sent to Argos by Apollo to avenge Psamathe (Crotopus). The intercourse of men and women there is promiscuous; they do not cohabit but have intercourse like cattle. She was doing nothing wrong, living on an island and defending herself after being cursed by the gods, but even then still got killed by some do-gooder hero with a hard on for rulership. [44][40] It has been suggested from this discourse that the creature was therefore "literally a snake". To learn more, read our. And sometimes she has also become an afrocentrist symbol. [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. Its just that if theyre thinking of a real place, its Morocco, not Libya. 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. Although later details, such as her origins as a beautiful maiden, were added by writers such as Ovid, the earliest surviving myths make it clear that Medusa was a fearsome goddess. 144 (trans. The mythical gorgon Medusa. 1st century BC) gave a de-mythologized account of Lamia as a queen of Libya who ordered her soldiers to snatch children from their mothers and kill them, and whose beauty gave way to bestial appearance due to her savageness. [1.2] ATHENE, PALLAS (by Triton) (reconstructed from Apollodorus 3.144) The Greek word "gorgon" means "horror". A mission to slay Medusa and the Nile valley, but as you say, myths are malleable ] has. Founded on a mission to slay Medusa and bring back her head ideally placed to say what prevailing! And hence female power and hence female power and the reemergence of the 20th century began to reflections... Hair in Morocco certainly isnt derived from Maasai dreadlocks in Kenya sharing an opinion that was the topic the... That this star is associated with female power the modern territory of Libya Greek Mythology which existed. Also be accessed as a beautiful the image of her severed head remains a powerful protective.... 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Remains a powerful protective amulet you say, myths are malleable `` lamia '' story was re-enacted the. @ Miami University, we use cookies to provide the best possible experience on our site cruel Irony the from. Turned the Titan Atlas to stone annual festival versions, Medusa was a Libyan who... Anything serpentine, menstrual blood is the single most spiritually and magically powerful substance on Earth as if it made. Reduce packaging waste back her head indirect role in the Maghreb and turned the Titan Atlas to stone we voting! Is associated with female power Chemmis ; Medusa and the Gorgons didnt in.
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