In Greek mythology Gorgons were female monsters. The most memorable are the three Gorgon sisters—Medusa, Stheno, and Euryale—who were the daughters of sea gods. Of the three sisters, Medusa was the only mortal.

Medusa was born an incredibly beautiful maiden. She often bragged of her beauty and was courted by many handsome suitors. However, in addition to being beautiful, Medusa was also extremely vain, especially when it came to her long silky hair.

One day at Athena’s temple, the Parthenon, Medusa bragged that she was more beautiful than Athena herself. Some versions of the myth claim that as Medusa was leaving the Parthenon, she said it was a shame such a beautiful temple had been wasted on Athena. Medusa believed she would have been a better subject for a temple.

Athena was so outraged that she decided to turn Medusa into a Gorgon as punishment. She changed Medusa’s long beautiful hair into snakes. She also made sure Medusa could no longer see the handsome suitors who came to court her—anyone who looked into Medusa’s eyes would be instantly turned to stone.

Perseus, bold son of the brave and mighty Zeus, was challenged to retrieve the head of Medusa. Athena and Hermes gave Perseus a mirrored shield, a sword, winged sandals, and Hermes’s cap of invisibility to help him do this. Perseus beheaded Medusa by looking at her reflection in the mirrored shield, rather than directly at her. This way, he avoided being turned into stone.

After Medusa was killed, Perseus gave her head to Athena. Athena had the head placed in the center of the aegis, her shield, to frighten her enemies.