Greek Mythology: Medusa

One of three Gorgons, she was the Queen of them. She was daughter of Ceto and sea God Phorcys. Hesiod named them Stheno, Euryale and Medusa. He described them as having snakes for hair, wings, claws, tusks, and scales. Two major stories dictate why Medusa was cursed. One was she was seen as more beautiful than Athena and due to the negative attention to this virgin priestess, Athena cursed her due to the comparison (see also Aphrodite and Psyche and Andromeda). The other prevailing story paints Medusa as a victim where she was raped in the temple by Poseidon and thus stricken by Athena for violating the sanctity of the temple. This I believe is contradictory to Athena’s character and no harm was brought onto Poseidon which again - would be against Athena’s character. She fights against Ares all the time, no way would she let this violation go unpunished against her temple and priestess.