Perseus and the Gorgon's Head

King Polydectes of Seriphus desired Perseus's mother Danaë and schemed to rid himself of the young hero. He demanded that each guest at a banquet bring a horse as a gift, knowing Perseus had nothing. Boastful and proud, Perseus instead promised the head of the Gorgon Medusa — a monster whose serpent-haired visage turned all who gazed upon her to stone.

Athena and Hermes, favoring the son of Zeus, appeared to guide him. Hermes gave him an adamantine sword, and Athena a polished bronze shield to view Medusa only in reflection. The nymphs of the north provided winged sandals, a magic pouch, and the helm of Hades that rendered its wearer invisible. With these divine gifts, Perseus flew to the edge of the world where the Gorgons slept. Using his shield as a mirror to avoid her petrifying gaze, he struck off Medusa's head with a single blow and sealed it in the magic pouch.

From Medusa's severed neck sprang the winged horse Pegasus and the giant Chrysaor, children of Poseidon. The other two Gorgons pursued Perseus, but the helm of Hades rendered him invisible. On his journey home, he rescued the princess Andromeda from a sea monster at the Ethiopian coast, using Medusa's head to turn the beast to stone. Returning to Seriphus, Perseus found his mother hiding from Polydectes' harassment. He entered the king's hall and revealed Medusa's head, turning the king and his entire court to stone. Perseus then gave the Gorgon's head to Athena, who placed it upon her shield, the aegis, as a symbol of divine protection.