Chapter One - Medusa

Medusa was a hideous female monster with live snakes for hair, brass feet, a scaly body, sharp fangs, and a beard, otherwise known as a Gorgon.  As time went on, only three Gorgons survived.  They were Euryale, Sthenno, and Medusa.  The Gorgons lived in the far west and guarded the entrance to the Underworld.
A small picture of a Gorgon head was usually put on temples and graves to warn off evil forces.  The same picture was also on the front of some soldiers' shields and in the end was even put on Athens gold coins.  Later on, Medusa was slayed by the hero Achilles.



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