Myth

Myths are sacred tales that explain the world and man's experience. Myths are as relevant today as they were to the ancients because they answer timeless questions and serve as a compass to each generation.

As you read, ask yourself: 1. Why does the Perseus myth keep getting passed down to later civilizations? 2. What qualities make Perseus a hero?

What character traits did Perseus possess that were favorable to the Ancient Greeks?

Are these qualities still valued today?

What's the lesson or moral of this myth?

Athane (Athena)

Greek goddess of wisdom, courage, inspiration, law, and justice.

She speaks to Perseus to start the myth.

Athena tells Perseus to cut off Medusa's head.

three Grey Sisters

who have but one eye and one tooth between them.

They tell Perseus he needs to follow the sun until he gets to Atlas the Giant.

Atlas

holds heaven and earth apart.

His daughters are the Hesperides. They are goddess nymphs, immortal sisters who dance around a golden tree.

Atlas will help Perseus find the Gorgon as long as he promises to show Atlas Medusa's head.

Nymphs

Atlas tells Perseus he can't defeat the Gorgon without an invisibility hat.

Perseus can't retrieve the hat because he's mortal.

Hades

the underworld; hell; Sheol. No mortal can travel there.

One of the nymphs must travel to Hades, the underworld, to fetch the invisibility hat. It takes her seven days.

Medusa

sister of the Gorgons.

She was very beautiful until her pride caused her to sin.

As punishment, her hair was turned to snakes, and her hands to eagles' claws; her lips are poison.

Anyone who looks into Medusa's eyes is turned to stone.

Gorgon

Three sisters known individually as Euryale, Stheno and, perhaps the most familiar of all, Medusa.

The first two are immortal, but Medusa is not.

They guard the gates to the Underworld.