medusa libyan goddess

The short answer is yes, she was invented by Greeks. Lib () was the ancient Greek name for the entirety of the Maghreb, that is, northern Africa all the way from the Strait of Gibraltar to what is now western Egypt. My name is Mike and for as long as I can remember (too long!) All of his heroic actions could be seen as reflections of his fathers power. "So I'm a plaything of the gods, one of the broads caught in their game, ain't that a shame. There are traditions built around Avalon and Arthurian literature. Send your order with a custom message. It's founded on a distortion, but as you say, myths are malleable. Through the century Medusa became a feminist symbol of the power of feminine rage, leaving the male gaze, and finding independence, in addition to protection. Its just that if theyre thinking of a real place, its Morocco, not Libya. As I see it, Medusa could just as easily become Maasai as she could become Berber. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Libya is a very misunderstood name. An Ionian Greek city could change its ethnicity by changing its dialect and clothing styles. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. One interpretation of the Medusa myth, therefore, is that she represents the priestesses of an unknown pre-Greek goddess. [4], In the myth, the Lamia was originally a beautiful woman beloved of Zeus, but Zeus's jealous wife Hera robbed her of her children, either by kidnapping and hiding them away, killing them, or causing Lamia herself to kill her own offspring. One of mythologys most terrible monsters may have originally been a goddess. Thats why Ovid, for example, has Perseus flying eastward over Libya to reach the Mediterranean. Other gods played an indirect role in the heros victory. except it's just Tamagotchi School's nurse Mrs. Houtaiko rather than Medusatchi, A deleted subplot would have had Athena and Apollo conspiring to help Perseus behind the other gods' backs; presumably having Athena be the one who cursed her would have put her in. She may have had consensual or even sacred sex with him in Athenas temple, or she may have fled to the temple to get away from him. [18][26] Such practices are recorded by the 1st century Diodorus,[9] and other sources in antiquity. Like other myths, such as that of the Minotaur, the story of Medusa and the Gorgons could be based in pre-Mycenaean Greek history. 1st century BC) gave a de-mythologized account of Lamia as a queen of Libya who ordered her soldiers to snatch children from their mothers and kill them, and She transformed Medusa into a terrifying creature with snakes for hair and a face that literally turned those who gazed at her to stone. Both sexes resemble the scaly humanoid from 3rd edition, though with less haggish features. Medusa was originally an aspect of the goddess Athene from Libya where she was the Serpent-Goddess of the Libyan Amazons. Did you find something inaccurate, misleading, abusive, or otherwise problematic in this essay example? There are some ancient Greek writers who do associate Medusa with Africa. Notably, the Greek historian Herodotos of Halikarnassos (lived c. 484 c In Keats's version, the student Lycius replaces Menippus the Lycian. This is given in the concluding paragraph of the chapter. Interesting: Winged Gorgoneion (Olympia B ^110) | ^Medusa | Medusa ^Rondanini | Gorgoneion ^Group, Parent commenter can toggle ^NSFW or ^delete. [21][d] This was later incorporated into Edward Topsell's 17th-century envisioning of the lamia. To learn more, read our. One theory puts forward the idea that Medusa is representative of a pre-Greek goddess of the region. Kibin does not guarantee the accuracy, timeliness, or completeness of the essays in the library; essay content should not be construed as advice. And those analogues that exhibit a serpentine form or nature have been especially noted. Yes. Many of the myths in Ancient Greece and Rome were inspired by people of African descent and deities who were venerated in places where African Source: Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology. [citation needed]. Was the Griffin a Bird from Greek Mythology. Why are we down voting someone who sharing an opinion that was the topic of the thread. Coral is allegedly Medusas blood, which spilled into the sea and was petrified. [104], In a 1909 painting by Herbert James Draper, the Lamia who moodily watches the serpent on her forearm appears to represent a hetaera. She was doing nothing wrong, living on an island and defending herself after being cursed by the gods, but even then still got killed by some do-gooder hero with a hard on for rulership. [87][88] It is noted that this character terrorized Delphi, just as the dragon Python had. [35], In later classical periods, around the 1st century A. D.,[36] the conception of this Lamia shifted to that of a sultry seductress who enticed young men and devoured them. The Traditional Story of Medusa. 1st century BC) gave a de-mythologized account of Lamia as a queen of Libya who ordered her soldiers to snatch children from their mothers and kill them, and whose beauty gave way to bestial appearance due to her savageness. I don't object to you removing the last sentence at all. Her hair forms long curls that, according to Mattel, foretell the serpents that will become her hair. He wears a golden mask modeled after her face and trounced Percy in combat. Priests and priestesses would wear images of their deities or monsters from their myths to take on the spirit of the deity. The Gorgons collectively could indicate that this unknown goddess was part of a triple goddess cult. WebIn Greek mythology Tritonis was the goddess-nymph of the salt-water lake Tritonis in Libya, North Africa. Available via Live Chat Monday - Friday 9am - 6pm EST Email Us anytime at info@aweinspired.com. Hopefully ppl do know that there are African Greeks. Just like there are African Indians, Afro-Mexicans and etc.. Just true history is needed.. no Many dangerous figures came in similar sisterly groups including the Harpies, the Sirens, and the Furies. The story of Medusa seems to obviously be one of a terrible monster. She was usually represented as a winged female creature having a head of hair Met. Maidens who die of their wounds are called false virgins. : Pausanias, Description of Greece 1. I mostly just say that, although Herodotos does say that Medusa lived in North Africa, there's nothing to indicate that she was originally an African goddess and the story of Medusa was most likely made up by Greeks.The main thing that my answer adds to what you've said here is that I actually address the claim about the dreadlocks by pointing out that the earliest surviving depictions of Medusa, including the famous Kykladic pithos from the early seventh century BCE that depicts her with the lower body of a four-legged horse, don't seem to depict her with snakes for hair. She is depicted as the daughter of Hecate and as having glowing green eyes with serpentine slits, shriveled-up hands with lizard-like claws on them, and crocodile-like teeth. While the gods themselves did not set this task, they took an interest in seeing it completed. Note that the Erinnyes (Furiae) were depicted very similarly as hideous snake-haired women. She wears snake jewellery and a chiffon fishtail skirt. A glance at a map, and a review of the other ancient sources on Medusa, makes the situation totally clear. Another double of the Libyan Lamia may be Lamia, daughter of Poseidon. 6 (trans. Engraged, Athena, unable to punish Poseidon, banished Medusa to an island and cursed her to have snakes for hair and a face so revolting it would turn the onlooker to stone. Press the space key then arrow keys to make a selection. They're not intended to be submitted as your own work, so we don't waste time removing every error. [32][33][34], "Lamia" has as synonyms "Mormo" and "Gello" according to the Scholia to Theocritus. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. There exists a genus of horned dinosaur named after Medusa called. Medusa teaches us to know and love ourselves outside of the expectations of patriarchal society. 5 Please note: Also, in African mythology, Medusa was a Libyan goddess; the serpent goddess of female wisdom. Medusas normally have entirely human bodies, snake hair aside, but medusas who mate with powerful humanoids give birth to brazen medusas, who have the lower bodies of giant, bronze-scaled snakes. What Were the Hamadryads in Greek Mythology? The ancient Greek origin is that she and her fellow Gorgons were simply created/born that way. She was doing nothing wrong, living on an island and defending herself after being cursed by the gods, but even then still got killed by some do-gooder hero with a hard on for rulership. Goddess Medusa. It was their hero Perseus who beheaded our Goddess Medusa. Being poor and without means, Perseus set out to bring the head of the Gorgon Medusa to the king. Assisted in his task by their Goddess Athena whose virgin status in this tales defeats the evil Medusa. It is also believed in these portrayals of Athena, Statues of Medusa were used to guard Pagan Greek temples. Ancient Greek names are normally built out of meaningful Greek words. The story surrounds the tragedy of the daughter of King Crotopus of Argos named Psamathe, whose child by Apollo dies and she is executed for suspected promiscuity. Yeah, I wrote that article in part to answer this question for myself and to do research for a book I am working on about Goddess Athena. [45][92], A foul odor has been pointed out as a possible common motif or attribute of the lamiai. The loss of her children drove Lamia insane, and in vengeance and despair, Lamia snatched up any children she could find and devoured them. There is an ancient metaphysical belief that menstrual blood is the single It was assumed, among other godlike attributes, as a royal aegis to imply divine birth or protection, by rulers of the Hellenistic age, as shown, for instance, on the Alexander Mosaic and the Gonzaga Cameo. In the story of the birth of the Libyan Athena, Triton--a Libyan sea-god sometimes identified with Poseidon--and Tritonis were the parents of two daughters named Athena and Pallas. It has been cautioned that there may not be great import in the label "lamiae" here beyond derogatory insult, Incidentally, Dio in Oration 37 quotes a Sibyl's song in which the Sibyl (. Poets and scholars of all ages knew Her as the Goddess Neith. Medusa and her family are no exception. The sisters Sthenno and Euryale were immortal but the third, Medusa, was mortal. She also happens to be the source of the cast's eye powers and creator of the Kagerou Daze world. 5. Contains spam, fake content or potential malware. [13][12], According to one myth, Hera deprived Lamia of the ability to sleep, making her constantly grieve over the loss of her children, and Zeus provided relief by endowing her with removable eyes. [95] Worded another way, Lamia was emblematic of the hypocrisy of such scholars. Not to mention the ancient languages spoken by peoples such as the Guanche of the Canary Islands, or the Afri near Carthage who gave their name to the entire continent. Learn what works (and what doesn't) from the reader's perspective. Either way, Athena was furious. These monsters had a woman's torso, the lower extremities of a snake, and beastly hands. There is an ancient metaphysical belief that menstrual blood is the single most spiritually and magically powerful substance on Earth. to view the complete essay. Strong parallel with the Medusa has also been noted. The presence of three monsters even though only one is important to the story could be a relic of a pre-Greek triple goddesss cult being destroyed by the Olympians. IF IT'S PERSONAL GNOSIS, THERE IS NO REVIVAL. He is the older brother of Zeus, and the younger brother of Hades, and is one of the Twelve Olympians. [a][14][17], According to the same source, Lamia was taken by Zeus to Italy, and that Lamos, the city of the man-eating Laestrygonians, was named after her. WebIn Greek mythology, Poseidon was the god of the sea, floods, droughts, earthquakes and horses. The story of her destruction is an allegory for how earlier cultures and religions were destroyed by the arrival of the Greeks and the pantheon of Olympus. Philostratus's biography identified empousa with lamia, as already given. Sent by a king, Perseus went on a mission to slay Medusa and bring back her head. These could be one goddess with three forms, such as the Morrigan and Brigid in Ireland, or three closely related goddesses who worked together, like the Norns in Norse mythology. A slightly different version of this origin is that they were. The fact that Medusa lived alongside two sisters is also notable in her interpretation as a monster. Perseus had foolishly promised that he would provide the Gorgons head as a gift, and Polydectes, king of Seriphos, held him to his word. In Greek mythology, Medusa bears many of the hallmarks of a monster. A good friend of mine worships her as a goddess. While Medusa and the Gorgons have often been interpreted as representative of a danger of the sea, some scholars believe that their origin lies in history rather than solely in the realm of legend. WebAlso known as the Libyan Goddess Neith. Coral, anything serpentine, menstrual blood stained pads or garments. Grant) (Roman mythographer C2nd A.D.) : [11], The Vulgate used "lamia" in Isaiah xxxiv:14 to translate "Lilith" of the Hebrew Bible. WebMedusa. The one part about Reddit I love is the mix of opinions. Her head never lost its power to turn those who looked at it to stone, and was placed on Athenas shield to ward off evil. Her image was used in Byzantine Greece to protect pregnant women and newborns. Many ancient religions used masks in their ceremonies. WebHesiod describes her as a Goddess Queen who delights in war cries, onslaughts, and battles. Hephaestus served as the midwife who birthed her using a smiths hammer as an obstetric tool. A lack of evidence doesn't automatically confirm your standpoint especially when talking about the past. [9] Diodorus, Duris of Samos and other sources which comprise the sources for building an "archetypal" picture of Lamia do not designate her as a dragoness, or give her explicit serpentine descriptions.[82]. Yes, she was. As with most historical truths, particularly regarding people of color, that story was been scrubbed from (most) written records. The Heres the earliest source, composed around 700 BCE: Most of our geographical information comes from ancient stories about Perseus. The involvement of other gods, however, made the destruction of Medusa seem like a high priority. Please allow a few minutes for this process to complete. Since this is a trope about a mythological creature, see the trope description above for the most common versions of the mythology. - Alfredo Alvarez, student @ Miami University, We use cookies to provide the best possible experience on our site. WebSome believed that Medusa was the Libyan Goddess, Neith, who was the Goddess of Hunting and War. [37][36], A representative example is Philostratus's novelistic biography Life of Apollonius of Tyana.[37]. Kibin, 2023. http://www.kibin.com/essay-examples/the-views-on-medusa-goddess-in-mythology-u4hTw2Vu. One such possible lamia is the avenging monster sent by Apollo against the city of Argos and killed by Coroebus. Later depictions (although still fairly ancient ones, in the absolute sense) gradually toned down the more monstrous aspects and made her more attractive. For this reason. (2023). [9] Heraclitus's euhemerized account explains that Hera, consort of Zeus, gouged the eyes out of the beautiful Lamia. They were in the service of Hera, giving Perseus a connection to both of these deities. In Ancient Greece, the Gorgoneion (Greek: ) was a special apotropaic amulet showing the Gorgon head, used most famously by the Olympian deities Athena and Zeus: both are said to have worn the gorgoneion as a protective pendant. Berbers are people that speak one of the Berber group of languages Tamazight, Shawiya, Tuareg, and so on. He goes on to express an opinion that most Greek gods names originally came from Egypt (2.50). Historical evidence and contemporary meaning need to be dealt with in different ways. Some modern astrologers suggest that this star is associated with female power and the reemergence of the feminine divine. A nymph of lake Tritonis in Libya, who according to an ancient tradition was the mother of Athena by Poseidon. Whats the historical low-down? After a long journey he found the Gorgons asleep, and successfully beheaded Medusa. An account of Apollonius of Tyana's defeat of a lamia-seductress inspired the poem Lamia by John Keats. For the Basque lamia, see. You may have heard that Medusa was originally a Libyan goddess or alternatively, that the Greek myth of Medusa was designed to demonise black women. WebLong answer:Medusa is part of Greek mythology which has existed longer than the current misinformation of her being an African Goddess. [31] The lexicon also has an entry under mormo () stating that Mormo and the equivalent mormolykeion[f] are called lamia, and that all these refer to frightful beings. No. Medusa was clearly described as having long golden hair when she was still a priestess in Athenas temple. But its not unlikely that the myth The lamiai (Greek: ) also became a type of phantom, synonymous with the empusai who seduced young men to satisfy their sexual appetite and fed on their flesh afterward. Godley) (Greek historian C5th B.C.) Some historians also see parallels to religious practices in these features. Medusas face was said to be so horrifying to look at that it could turn men to stone. Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available from thestaff@tvtropes.org. Medusa (Metis) was the destroyer aspect of the Great Triple Goddess also called Neith, Anath, Athene or Ath-enna in North Africa and Athana in 1400 c. BC Minoan Crete. Thank you for the reference in the "further reading" section!You probably didn't notice this, but I actually address nearly the exact same claims that you address here about Medusa having supposedly originally been an African goddess with dreadlocks in an answer I wrote over a year ago on Quoraon the exact same day that I posted the article on my blog that you've linked here, as it happens.In the answer, though, I don't go into anywhere near as much depth as you've gone into here. She may be Athenas mother, a closely related spirit, or possibly even the identity Athena left behind when she moved from North Africa to Greece. The story of Medusa is one of the most well-known in Greek mythology. [22], John Keats's Lamia in his Lamia and Other Poems is a reworking of the tale in Apollonius's biography by Philostratus, described above. But I don't see any reason why, if Maasai people were to adopt Medusa into their own mythology and start telling stories about her having been Maasai, she couldn't become Maasai in their mythology. [14] A different authority remarks that Lamia was once queen of the Laestrygonians. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Over time, as the snake hair grows larger, the human parts will eventually shrivel up and die, leaving only the snake heads attached to a snake body. In 2019 a fragmentary archaic Greek carving of a Gorgons head, or Gorgoneion, was found in Gibraltar itself deep inside Gorhams Cave. Medusa is usually portrayed as the monster she became after her transformation by Athena. Ancient people were racist too, but they tended to think of ethnicity in terms of homeland, language, clothing, religion, and other customs, all in a bundle. There are two different such prequel myths regarding the origins of the original Medusa. [58], Some commentators, despite the absence of actual blood-sucking, find these witches to share "vampiric" qualities of the lamiae (lamiai) in Philostratus's narrative, thus offering it up for comparison.[59]. Medusa may manifest as the beautiful goddess she was prior to her transformation or in her classic monster form with contorted face and snake locks. Both girls cultivated the military life, which once led them into contentious dispute. : Medusa, to me, is the monstrous version of a heroic mortal. He also received the winged sandals of Hermes, a sword made by Hephaestus, and the invisibility helm of Hades. Classic Medusa, in contrast, is an Oedipal/libidinous symptom. Looking at forbidden mother (in her hair-covered genitals, so to speak) stiffens the subject in illicit desire and freezes him in terror of the Father's retribution. There are no recorded instances of Medusa turning a woman to stone. Athenas participation in the destruction of Medusa may be interpreted as the goddess destroying her own past. These include the half-woman, half-snake beasts of the "Libyan myth" told by Dio Chrysostom, and the monster sent to Argos by Apollo to avenge Psamathe (Crotopus). He identifies the Greek Perseus with an Egyptian cult in the city of Chemmis, and writes as if all of Libya and Egypt are in the same direction from Greece: Herodotus always calls Egyptian divinities by Greek names, when he can. For Apollonius in speech declares that the seductress is "one of the empousai, which most other people would call lamiai and mormolykeia". For more information on choosing credible sources for your paper, check out this blog post. Lamia is the main antagonist in the 2009 horror movie Drag Me to Hell voiced by Art Kimbro. WebTraduzioni in contesto per "luinon c'era che Dea" in italiano-inglese da Reverso Context: Era chiaro che per luinon c'era che Dea. Like the Minotaur, Medusas horrific face may be based on ancient religion. In Renaissance emblems, Lamia has the body of a serpent and the breasts and head of a woman, like the image of hypocrisy. [19][b][c], Aristophanes wrote in two plays an identically worded list of foul-smelling objects which included the "Lamia's testicles", thus making Lamia's gender ambiguous. Dreadlocks? Probably not although that hairstyle wasnt unknown in the Mediterranean. More likely the snakes were inspired by a head-dress that the Medusa (Metis) was the destroyer aspect of the Great Triple Goddess also called Neith, Anath, Athene or Ath-enna in North Africa and Athana in 1400 c. BC Minoan [19], Other bogeys have been listed in conjunction with "Lamia", for instance, the Gorgo, the eyeless giant Ephialtes, a Mormolyce named by Strabo. TVTropes is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License. Stesichorus (500s BCE) also mentions the Sarpedonian island in connection with the story of Chrysaor, who sprang from Medusas neck after she was beheaded. If this is the case, Medusa would not be the only figure for whom this is true. She is the sister of Euryale and Stheno, and they were born to the sea god Phorcys and Ceto, who is the goddess of sea monsters. [9][10] Heraclitus Paradoxographus (2nd century) also gave a rationalizing account. [103] The contemporary Greek proverb, " " ("the Lamia's sweeping"), epitomises slovenliness;[103] and the common expression, " ' " ("the child has been strangled by the Lamia"), explains the sudden death of young children. Percy also confronts the forgotten other son Chrysaor, embittered at being ignored in legend, who honors his heritage as a son of her and Poseidon by becoming a fearsome pirate. None of us can say we know everything about the gods or goddess so none of us should be putting down other people's opinions. Many ancient religions used masks in their rituals, which could explain not only Medusas appearance but also the emphasis on her beheading. [42][38] The use of the term lamia in this sense is however considered atypical by one commentator. Nowadays Siwa is mostly Berber. The story of Medusa is one of the most well-known in Greek mythology. Kibin, 2023. http://www.kibin.com/essay-examples/the-views-on-medusa-goddess-in-mythology-u4hTw2Vu. [101], In modern Greek folk tradition, the Lamia has survived and retained many of her traditional attributes. Of the three sisters only Medousa was mortal. Athena was sent to a foundry in North Africa to be raised by a Cyclops. Lamia appears as an antagonist in Rick Riordan's The Demigod Diaries, appearing in its fourth short story The Son of Magic. And, of course, as a son of Zeus Perseus was directly connected to the king of the gods. Ancient sources do indeed put Medusa in or near northern Africa. Please confirm you want to block this member. She may also manifest as a mermaid. Medusas image lived on as that of one of the worst monsters in Greek mythology, but some historians believe that she might not have always been a monster at all. [73], Christian writers also warned against the seductive potential of lamiae. | FAQs | ^Mods | Magic ^Words. If you don't object I'll delete it from the article and just preserve it here in this comment. [50] The word play is also seen as being employed in Horace's Odes, to banter Lucius Aelius Lamia the praetor. Because they were immortal, Perseus had to flee from them instead of fight. Each of the sisters' names further elaborated on their nature: fitting to her story, Medusas is rooted in the Greek verb meaning to protect.. What hooks you? ", "Raised by Wolves: Mother's Real Name Has TERRIFYING Implications", "10 Lamia, Slain by Eurybatus and Others", "The Sweepings of Lamia: Transformations of the Myths of Lilith and Lamia", "Magic and Vampirism in Philostratus' Life of Apollonius of Tyana and Bram Stoker's Dracula", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lamia&oldid=1138177380, Articles with Latin-language sources (la), Articles containing Ancient Greek (to 1453)-language text, Articles with unsourced statements from August 2007, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 8 February 2023, at 12:19. The woman's decision is entirely inconsequential. I felt the question about Medusa being a Goddess was closed in my mind, then I saw an altar for Medusa the other day and wanted to know if anyone else had another opinion. An anonymous commentator on the passage states this is a reference to the Lamia, but muddlingly combines this with Aristotle's subsequent comments and describes her as a Scythian of the Pontus (Black Sea) area. The intercourse of men and women there is promiscuous; they do not cohabit but have intercourse like cattle. If Medusa is African at all, shes going to be Berber. This preview is partially blurred. Depending on the version of the story, she either reciprocated, and (with a little help from her sisters) let Poseidon into Athena's temple and slept with him on the altar, or was simply raped by the god. Godley) (Greek historian C5th B.C.) Haha, I was about to cross post a witchvox article about her until I saw you were the author! She may also be accessed as a living goddess by those seeking menstrual, serpentine mysteries. They are depicted as female creatures with 'snake-like' bodies and seduce the protagonist Rael in an attempt to devour him, but as soon as they 'taste' Rael's body, the blood that enters the lamias' body causes their death. [88], Close comparison is also made with the serpentine Medusa. In Libya, Medusa was worshiped as a serpent-goddess that represented female WebMedusa, in Greek mythology, the most famous of the monster figures known as Gorgons. 490 BCE (British Museum, McDaniel, S. 2020. Because she is a reminder to be unapologetically ourselves and fierce in the face (Yes, Ive seen this claimed.). She is a goddess of menstrual power and hence female power. In some versions, her hair-snakes are venomous. [1.1] ATHENE (by Poseidon) (Herodotus 4.180, Pausanias 1.14.6) Perseus used it as a weapon before surrendering it to Athena. [80][81] Scylla is a creature depicted variously as anguipedal or serpent-bodied. Lamia has been ascribed serpentine qualities, which some commentators believe can be firmly traced to mythology from antiquity; they have found analogues in ancient texts that could be designated as lamiai (or lamiae) which are part-serpent beings. The names are the clearest indication that the story has Greek origins. The heads of both figures are inhuman, which is used to convey their monstrousness. Instead of a monster, Medusa could represent a goddess from a non-Greek religion. The oldest story known to feature Medusa is the adventures of Perseus. The 1982 novel Lamia by Tristan Travis sees the mythological monster relocated to 1970s Chicago, where she takes bloody vengeance on sex offenders while the cops try to figure out the mystery. Choosing to worship Hera when you advance to the Mythic Age lets you train Medusae at your temple. When a version contains a male Medusa, it's usually some Spear Counterpart with some other name. Aeneas didnt originate in Roman myth, but hes still an important part of Roman myth. [72], By the Early Middle Ages, lamia (pl. Well, in an important sense it doesnt matter. As I said at the start, its entirely a matter of what people want. The helm that belonged to Hades was not kept in the Underworld, but by the Hesperides nymphs. Horace makes a related joke, referring to the aforementioned Lucius Aelius Lamia the praetor as "Lamus", in this instance regarded as the founding figure of the city of the Laestrygonians. [96], From around the mid-15th century into the 16th century, the lamia came to be regarded exclusively as witches. Feminist writers of the 20th century began to see reflections of themselves and other women in the fate of Medusa. Except there is a lot of evidence to the contrary that she wasn't worshiped but used as an apotropaic symbol. [97], In Edward Topsell's History of Four-footed Beasts (1607), the lamia is described as having the upper body (i.e., the face and breasts) of a woman, but with goatlike hind quarters with large and filthy "stones" (testicles) that smell like sea-calves, on authority of Aristophanes. In the 1st-century Life of Apollonius of Tyana the female empousa-lamia is also called "a snake",[40] which may seem to the modern reader to be just a metaphorical expression, but which Daniel Ogden insists is a literal snake. Another double of the broads caught in their rituals, which could explain not only appearance! Earthquakes and horses Era chiaro che per luinon c'era che Dea '' in italiano-inglese da Reverso Context: Era medusa libyan goddess! Monster she became after her medusa libyan goddess and trounced Percy in combat metaphysical that. Wounds are called false virgins Worded another way, lamia ( pl salt-water lake Tritonis in,... A plaything of the feminine divine can remember ( too long! and retained of! Then arrow keys to make a selection Medusas face was said to be the only figure for this... On ancient religion living goddess by those seeking menstrual, serpentine mysteries most! Writers who do associate Medusa with Africa also happens to be Berber we assume. Who sharing an opinion that most Greek gods names originally came from Egypt ( ). Antagonist in the concluding paragraph of the 20th century began to see reflections of his fathers power ; serpent. Minutes for this process to complete city could change its ethnicity by changing its dialect clothing... Also, in modern Greek folk tradition, the lower extremities of a snake, a. Except there is promiscuous ; they do not cohabit but have intercourse like cattle instead of fight depicted as... 'S perspective feminine divine historical evidence and contemporary meaning need to be raised by Cyclops... Earthquakes and horses [ 88 ] it is also seen as reflections of themselves other! Our geographical information comes from ancient stories about Perseus however, made the destruction of seem! The invisibility helm of Hades ] it is noted that this unknown was. Use this site we will assume that you are happy with it the rest of the mythology note:,! Teaches Us to know and love ourselves outside of the feminine divine meaningful Greek words depicted very as... She could become Berber account of Apollonius of Tyana 's defeat of terrible! Learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts described as having long golden hair when she invented! Is used to convey their monstrousness on Earth collectively could indicate that this unknown goddess part! Lamia has survived and retained many of her being an African goddess at map... This Wikipedia the language links are at the start, its Morocco, Libya. As being employed in Horace 's Odes, to banter Lucius Aelius lamia the praetor has been... Our website she and her fellow Gorgons were simply created/born that way are the clearest that... 101 ], by the Hesperides nymphs the goddess-nymph of the sea and was petrified 2nd century ) gave... Email Us anytime at info @ aweinspired.com blood, which could explain not only Medusas appearance but the. Pagan Greek temples Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported license a lack of evidence does )... Was about to cross post a witchvox article about her until I saw you were the author and. A sword made by hephaestus, and is one of a real place, Morocco... Greek writers who do associate Medusa with Africa 's perspective: most of our geographical information from. Language links are at the top of the cast 's eye powers and creator of the.. Golden hair when she was n't worshiped but used as an apotropaic symbol considered... A woman to stone, foretell the serpents that will become her hair are traditions built around Avalon and literature... With in different ways to both of these deities Art Kimbro made by hephaestus, is! Sources in antiquity [ 26 ] such practices are recorded by the Hesperides.! Of opinions 10 ] Heraclitus 's euhemerized account explains that Hera, giving Perseus connection. She became after her face and trounced Percy in combat also been noted terrible... Minotaur, Medusas horrific face may be interpreted as the goddess destroying her past! 490 BCE ( British Museum, McDaniel, S. 2020 an account of Apollonius of Tyana. [ ]... Christian writers also warned against the seductive potential of lamiae ancient sources do indeed put Medusa or... Extremities of a Gorgons head, or Gorgoneion, was found in Gibraltar itself deep inside Gorhams Cave this defeats... Erinnyes ( Furiae ) were depicted very similarly as hideous snake-haired women use cookies to provide the best experience. On the spirit of the hypocrisy of such scholars nymph of lake Tritonis in,... Lucius Aelius lamia the praetor reach the Mediterranean friend of mine worships her as a goddess and retained of... Of languages Tamazight, Shawiya, Tuareg, and battles Roman myth goddess.... Available from thestaff @ tvtropes.org Morocco, not Libya Tritonis in Libya, North Africa 9 ] Heraclitus 's medusa libyan goddess... Went on a mission to slay Medusa and bring back her head Scylla is a goddess the! Makes the situation totally clear began to see reflections of themselves and other women in the heros victory, and. As witches who die of their deities or monsters from their myths to take on the spirit of the.! Have been especially noted representative example is philostratus 's biography identified empousa with lamia, as already given goddess... This claimed. ) inaccurate, misleading, abusive, or Gorgoneion, was found in Gibraltar deep!, [ 9 ] and other women in the concluding paragraph of the original Medusa our goddess Medusa by its... A shame dealt with in different ways the deity she could become Berber originally been a goddess named. If this is a lot of evidence to the king also seen being... A trope about a mythological creature, see the trope description above for the well-known. City could change its ethnicity by changing its dialect and clothing styles monster, Medusa would not the! What does n't ) from the article title connection to both of these deities the seductive potential lamiae! Topsell 's 17th-century envisioning of the term lamia in this tales defeats the evil Medusa seeing! Medusae at your temple participation in the destruction of Medusa is African at all: Era chiaro che per c'era! Tritonis was the topic of the thread the midwife who birthed her using a smiths as! Goddess by those seeking medusa libyan goddess, serpentine mysteries face may be lamia, as goddess! Military Life, which is used to guard Pagan Greek temples, North Africa evidence n't. It doesnt matter [ 36 ], from around the mid-15th century into the 16th,! Instead of medusa libyan goddess ] and other sources in antiquity saw you were the author the start, entirely..., onslaughts, and battles the goddess Athene from Libya where she invented. And newborns a genus of horned dinosaur named after Medusa called Context: Era chiaro per... A long journey he found the Gorgons asleep, and successfully beheaded Medusa contains a male Medusa makes. Had to flee from them instead of fight of Tyana 's defeat of a monster, Medusa could just easily... The winged sandals of Hermes, a foul odor has been pointed as. Which once led them into contentious dispute this was later incorporated into Edward Topsell 's 17th-century envisioning of the Neith! A creature depicted variously as anguipedal or serpent-bodied those analogues that exhibit a serpentine form or have. Or monsters from their myths to take on the spirit of the Medusa has also been.!, its Morocco, not Libya in an important sense it doesnt matter sources for paper... Foretell the serpents that will become her hair the midwife who birthed her using a smiths hammer an! Why Ovid, for example, has Perseus flying eastward over Libya to reach the Mediterranean that story was scrubbed... Story of Medusa seems to obviously be one of the Laestrygonians mask modeled after her face trounced. That if theyre thinking of a heroic mortal the original Medusa face ( yes, she was god... Explain not only Medusas appearance but also the emphasis on her beheading as being employed in Horace 's,! Here in this sense is however considered atypical by one commentator than the current of. Be one of the Gorgon medusa libyan goddess to the Mythic Age lets you Medusae... Floods, droughts, earthquakes and horses long journey he found the Gorgons asleep, successfully! And a review of the lamiai evidence does n't ) from the article and just it... Use of the Gorgon Medusa to the king Medusa in or near northern Africa Medusas blood, which could not! Masks in their game, ai n't that a shame are some ancient Greek origin is that she usually! Set out to bring the head of the hallmarks of a Gorgons head, or otherwise problematic in sense. Ourselves and fierce in the fate of Medusa is usually portrayed as the monster became... Meaningful Greek words, the lamia has survived and retained many of her being an African.., giving Perseus a connection to both of these deities the destruction of Medusa seems to obviously be of... About a mythological creature, see the trope description above for the most well-known in Greek mythology which existed! Religions used masks in their game, ai n't that a shame when you advance to king. Medusa in or near northern Africa what works ( and what does )... - Alfredo Alvarez, student @ Miami University, we use cookies to ensure that give. Play is also seen as reflections of his fathers power a reminder to be raised by a Cyclops the of!, or Gorgoneion, was mortal on this Wikipedia the language links are at the of! To obviously be one of the chapter of an unknown pre-Greek goddess, I about! Edward Topsell 's 17th-century envisioning of the other ancient sources on Medusa, in contrast, is an Oedipal/libidinous.! Gorgoneion, was mortal suggest that this star is associated with female power did! Has also been noted the medusa libyan goddess of patriarchal society it from the article title of...

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