Perseus and Medusa Gorgon / Myth. Short summary

5 seconds

The cunning king Polydectus, determined to get rid of Perseus, sent the young man to get Medusa’s head. The son of Zeus was helped by his divine protectors Hermes and Athena to carry out the ruler’s task and defeat the gorgon.

1 minute

Polydectus sent Perseus after Medusa’s head. In this way the ruler hoped to destroy the demigod.

Hermes and Athena took patronage over Perseus. Zeus’ daughter gave the young man a copper shield, and the thunderer’s envoy gave him a sharp, curved sword. It was the only way to pierce Medusa’s scales, as strong as steel. Hermes showed Perseus the way to the land where the three gorgons lived. He warned the demigod not to look into the eyes of the terrible monsters. For anything that the gorgon did not look at would turn to stone.

On his journey Perseus met beautiful nymphs. They gave the young man three gifts: an invisible hat, winged sandals and a bag that shrinks and expands depending on what is in it. Upon arriving on the island of the gorgons, Perseus easily defeated Medusa thanks to the miraculous gifts of his patrons. The waking gorgons wanted to catch him, but could not find him. Wearing an invisible hat, the demigod easily eluded his pursuers, carrying Medusa’s head in a bag for Polydectus.