aphrodite zeus's son hercules killing medusa

All analyzes around this mythological figure, whether from philosophy, psychoanalysis, feminism or artistic representations, will coincide in the symbolic transcendence of that famous head cut off from a woman with snake hair.

Viewed as a conjunction of concepts and approaches that have constituted its image, Medusa's head, undoubtedly setting it above the rest of the character, has acquired an undeniable value for each of these perspectives. When he beheaded the Gorgon, her murderer possesses it, and by giving him nothing more than Athena's head for the latter to use as a shield, it is proof that it is only the head of Medusa that constitutes his power and his decapitation the only way to acquire it.

The beheading of Medusa is a sacrifice in so much of its death two mythological personages are born, children of Poseidón. It is a multiple death, it is his Achilles heel, because with his head, Perseus also takes away the power, the monstrosity, the femininity and masculinity of the violated beast. She could have died for different causes, but the only way to metaphorically destroy the Gorgon was through decapitation. In this way, the beheading of Medusa becomes a fundamental element for the constitution of her character. Without it, the symbolic significance of Medusa would no longer make sense. This female figure with the snakes is interwoven with Gorgo-Medusa and the Perseus myth that had a wide reflection throughout the ancient times.Īll the powers that constitute the character of Medusa are born from her head. Snakes are the predominant element of this gorgon, which either composes the gargoyle's hairstyle or is plundered like a jewel under its chin. Towards Hellenistic times and until late antiquity, the gorgoneion has characteristics of a beautiful woman. Then, in classical times, the gorgonian form appears with human characteristics, while the protruded tusks and the tongue remain. The earliest forms of the Gorgo of the Archaic period depict a monster demon-like bellows, with feathers, snakes in the head, tongue protruding from the mouth and tusks. The discussion is about making a symbol of the deceased persist for long in the antiquity and showing the evolution of this form.

Twenty six artifacts in total, mainly jewelry, as well as plates, discs, golden bust, coins, pendant and a vial are being examined. These works are part of the wider chronological and geographical context of the ancient Greek world. The purpose of this research is to highlight some characteristic examples of the golden works depicting the gorgoneio and Gorgon.

Aphrodite zeus's son hercules killing medusa