Medusa Aeschylus's "Prometheus Bound", which places both trinities of sisters far off "on Kisthene's dreadful plain": Near them their sisters three, the Gorgons, winged With snakes for hair— hatred of mortal man— While ancient Greek vase-painters and relief carvers imagined Medusa and her sisters as having monstrous form, sculptors and vase-painters of the fifth century began to envisage her as being beautiful as well as terrifying. In an ode written in 490 BC Pindar already speaks of "fair-cheeked Medusa". In a late version of the Medusa myth, related by the Roman poet Ovid ("Metamorphoses" 4.770), Medusa was originally a ravishingly beautiful
Far-Stepper/Of Wide Sea to the caverns to hide their shameful lovemaking. After they depart the island, Euryale hears a cry from within and discovers the mortal baby Medusa. Euryale devotes herself to her young sister and becomes a mother figure, bringing purpose back to her life. In her teenage years, Medusa learns of Stheno's murder from Euryale. Furious at the gods, Medusa decides to ascend Mount Olympus to get her revenge, without Euryale's knowledge. Upon arrival at the Temple of Athena, Medusa is met by Poseidon, who proceeds to overcome and subsequently rape her. Athena witnesses the act and curses Medusa, causing all